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New Books for Collectors
—
August 2008
English China
Patterns & Pieces
by Mary Frank Gaston
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
The newly released volume English China Patterns and Pieces by Mary Frank Gaston is truly rewarding. It provides an elegant look at everything china including biscuit jars, cheese dishes, bowls, plates, and even teapots. All together there are more than 500 beautiful color illustrations which serve to extend the range of this fine volume from apothecary jars to wine jugs. Each illustration is accompanied by a current value.
In this edition, “the emphasis is on (the) type of piece, with the particular pattern or decoration being the secondary consideration,” notes the author.
Gaston points out however that a manufacturer’s index with the patterns made by each of them is included in the book. Additionally the book also provides a pattern for ease in accessing a collector’s particular pattern.
“Although objects are the format for this edition, decoration, body type and manufacturer are equally important,” according to the author who also wrote the earlier book, English China. This latest offer provides an absorbing introduction to ceramics in general and English China in particular.
English China Patterns & Pieces by Mary Frank Gaston, hardcover, color illustrated, 192 pages, is $29.95 plus shipping from Collector Books, 1-800-626-5420.
World of Wade
Whimsies
by Ian Warner and Mike Posgay
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Another fine book is out on Wade. This time the subject is Whimsies.
Wade potteries of England and Ireland became famous during the 1950s for the miniature ceramic figurines sold under the Whimsies name. Decades later Wade Whimsies are still being produced and are still popular with legions of collectors.
This latest volume, The World of Wade Whimsies, provides a sweeping look at a vast number of them. There are over 160 black and white photos displaying Wade maker’s marks. Moreover there are more than 800 color illustrations capturing Whimsies, their advertising literature, presenting packages, and other accompaniments.
The Tom Smith Party Crack figurines, miniature village sets, premiums, and promotional figures are depicted in the book. Color and size variations are noted for the reader.
Included in this quality volume are current values both in U.S. dollars and United Kingdom pounds. This is the sixth book in the World of Wade series by the authors Ian Warner and Mike Posgay.
“Some of the figurines illustrated in this book are not, technically, Whimsies but are either extensions of the Whimsies or have been used as premiums or promotions,” note the authors, “so we have included these and related figures.”
A major chapter in the book details Whimsies from 1953 to 2007. However other chapters include fair special issues, tea figurines, Party Crackers, Miniature Village sets, Minikins and Dinosaurs, retailed and commissioned Whimsies from the early 1960s into the 21st century, and more.
The World of Wade Whimsies by Ian Warner and Mike Posgay, soft cover, color illustrated and current values, index, 224 pages is $34.99 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310
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