Price Guides From Outer Space There are two recently released books for collectors of Star Wars memorabilia: the 5th edition of The Official Price Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia, by Jeremy Beckett, a House of Collectibles publication; and the 3rd edition of Star Wars, the Super Collector’s Wish Book, by Geoffrey T. Carlton, published by Collector Books. The Official Price Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia covers all of the essentials necessary to be an educated collector. It includes information on everything from condition and grading to autographs, prototypes and reproductions, and an interesting history of Star Wars collectibles. There are thousands of listings and prices, an eight-page color insert and over 300 black and white photos. It sells for $17.95 and is available at bookstores, on Amazon.com or from House of Collectibles customer service at 1-800-726-0600. The Star Wars Super Collector’s Wish Book lists more than 39,000 items, and includes 13,700 color photographs. Values are provided for every piece. The directory-style format allows collectors to locate over 500 categories from more than 1,000 manufacturers. It sells for $29.95 and is available at bookstores, or from Collector Books at P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY or online at www.collectorbooks.com. May the force be with all Star Wars collectors! Donna Miller Return to Index | Pinball Machines EntertainingBOOK REVIEW
A 1976 Quarterback game by Bally. It is valued at $750. |
|
Pinball machines are fascinating, and author Michael Shalhoub has now produced the second volume in his three-volume series on these entertaining games. The Pinball Compendium, 1970-1981, is a chronological look at pinball machines during these years. Three manufacturers - Gottlieb, Williams and Bally - dominated the pinball machine market during the 1970s. A fourth company, Chicago Coin, also produced a few, but this company tended to concentrate on amusement and novelty games. At the end of the 1960s, Williams had produced machines that had 3” flippers instead of the previously standard 2.5” ones. Players liked this larger size and by the 1970s, it had become standard with all the manufacturers. The Pinball Compendium is a 2004 Schiffer Publication. Check with your local bookstore, contact Schiffer at (610) 593-1777 or see the online catalog at www.schifferbooks.com. The book sells for $59.95 and provides descriptions of the games, their special features, historical significance, release dates, designers, exclusive interviews with some of pinball’s greatest designers and artists and a value guide. Donna Miller Return to Index | Domitz Books Shed Light On Puzzling QuestionsBOOK REVIEW
This 8 1/2” milk glass plate with a black crest was made for the Fred Meyer Company in 1953. (Records, however, do not clarify as to whether or not it is the same Fred Meyer Company that everyone in the Northwest knows. Let Carrie Domitz know if you have definite infor-mation, if you re-member seeing it or buying it in one of “our” Freddies in the 1950s.) The plate is valued at $35-$45. |
|
Two recent Collector Books publications on glass are authored by Carrie and Jerry Domitz of Maple Valley, Washington. These very well researched books will be valuable additions to the library of anyone who collects or deals in American hand-made glass of the 20th century. The Encyclopedia of Paden City Glass brings to light much previously unknown and unpublished information about this company, which was in business from 1916 to 1951. However, much of its output through the years was sold to either decorating companies such as Lotus and National Silver, or to other sales organizations such as Edward Paul and L.G. Wright. These companies marketed the glass under their own labels, and very few advertisements are available which identify Paden City as the manufacturer of the glass. This book takes a thorough look at the etchings and patterns made by Paden City and includes a comprehensive price guide for each. Reprints of original line drawings and business letters add further interest to the book. The Fenton Glass Company, which this year celebrated its 100th anniversary in business, is the subject of the Domitz’s second book, Fenton Glass Made for other Companies, 1907-1980. While most of Fenton’s output through the years has been sold under its own name, it has continually supplied glass for other companies, too. As was the case with Paden City, this glass was then marketed under the name of the purchaser. Some of these companies are familiar to everyone, such as Macy’s, Woolworths, Sears and Sherwin-Williams. Others are little known outside the collecting world, such as Evora Smiley and H.H. Tammen. However, the products are readily recognized by Fenton collectors by shape and colors used. When pieces were made for these companies, they were made in a combination of colors and moulds that were not part of Fenton’s own line. Fenton collectors and dealers will find this book answers a lot of puzzling questions about the provenance of many pieces of glass that were clearly made by Fenton but could not be found in company catalogs. Both books sell for $29.95. They are available from booksellers or contact Collector Books at P.O. Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002 or online at www.collectorbooks.com. Return to Index |
|
|
