Discovering Antiques: A Guide to the World of Antiques and Collectibles - Hardcover

It sometimes seems that there are as many books and price guides documenting antiques and collectibles as there are objects to collect. Some are devoted to the coverage of a specific topic and some, like this one, provide an overview of the field. Written for beginners, this lavishly illustrated book should be quite useful. Knowles, director of Bonhams, a major London auction house, tells how a variety of items are made, how to detect fakes and recognize imperfections, how to tell whether a piece has been repaired, and how to care for, maintain, and display objects. He gives a range of values for the many items illustrated (everything from classic Georgian furniture to fruit-rate labels and Miele vacuum cleaners) and tells how to buy and sell at auctions as well as in dealers' showrooms, fairs, and flea markets. In addition there are tables of styles, periods, and hallmarks; a short list of antique homes and fairs (both British and American); a good glossary; and numerous illustrations. Though the book is well written, the index, which seems to be comprehensive, did not list that vacuum cleaner! Still, this is a solid introduction, appropriate for most public libraries.?Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Discovering Antiques is a comprehensive guide with chapters on the main collecting ares of furniture, glass, silver, plastics, etc. It also looks at a host of newly collectible items such as rock and pop memorabilia, radios, and cameras. Throughout Discovering Antiques, specially annotated, full-color photographs highlight the important features of typical pieces. A special feature are the price ranges included for each item. Also covered is essential information on spotting fakes, and what makes one item more collectible than another. Discovering Antiques is an essential and beautiful addition to all personal and community library antique reference book collections. -- Midwest Book Review