Krause Publications

Library Bookwatch, Dec, 2004

Krause Publications

700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001

1-800-258-0929www.krause.com

Three new guides to collecting provide collectors with basic facts and important references. Any would-be antique collector will want to absorb the tips of Frank Farmer Loomis IV's The Secrets To Affordable Antiques: How To Buy More For Less (0873498410, $17.99: you may recognize Loomis' name as host of the Ohio radio show Keep Antiquing, and here he provides a strong assessment on how to save money buying antiques. Loomis was a professional antiques appraiser for over twenty-five years: Secrets To Affordable Antiques provides insider tips on how to identify real gems, bargain effectively, and get the best values for money given. Leigh Leshner's Costume Jewelry: Identification And Price Guide (087349-8267, $24.99) will appeal to beginners, providing a basic primer on how to identify pieces and styles from Victorian and art deco works through Mexican Silver, Bakelite, and designer costume jewelry. Author Leigh Leshner has collected vintage jewelry since her preteens and has also been a dealer for over 12 years: her background lends to a guide on practical pricing. Warman's 38th edition of the weighty Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide (087-3497821, $19.99) is out, edited by long-time Warman's guides editor Ellen T. Schroy, who provides the latest facts on antiques and collectibles. Over 500 categories chart the latest trends, over 50,000 pieces are updated, and there are 2,000 photos of the most popular collectibles--including sixteen pages of color. If it's one all-around, general collector's price guide which is desired, make it a Warman's reference book.