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New Books for Collectors
—
February 2009
African-Americana
by Barbara Mauzy
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
The newly published African-Americana offers a wide assortment of what may have been previously known to many as simply black collectibles.
More than 500 top-quality color photographs are provided in this ambitious book that includes everything from ashtrays to wall plaques and everything from banks to tumblers.
Veteran author Barbara Mauzy ventures into a sensitive and sometime offensive area of collectibles, but this most recent book does it historically and thoughtfully.
“A book on collectibles may not necessarily be the best vehicle in which to examine the relationship of African-Americans and Anglo-Saxon though the centuries,” Mauzy explains frankly in the book’s introduction.
“Certainly the intent of the book is not to make a social statement or take a political view of some kind, but rather to provide a photographic essay celebrating one subject that is popular with contemporary collectors.”
Sections of the book dealing with items for adults, including a vast assortment of items such as clocks and watches, planters and wall pockets, salt and pepper shakers, and string holders. Sections dealing items for children include dolls, games, children’s books, records and assorted toys.
Besides being an essential reference for African-American related collectibles, the book also offers extensive background on the cultural history regarding many such collectibles within the American context.
Mauzy has written numerous books in the collectibles field, including Depression glass and kitchen collectibles.
African-Americana by Barbara Mauzy, hardcover, 514 color photos, current values, 192 pages is $39.95 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310.
Signs of Our Past:
Porcelain Enamel Advertising in America
by Michael Bruner
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Michael Bruner richly presents those nifty old porcelain enamel adverting treasures that hallmarked the 20th century in Signs of Our Past. The volume will prove to be rewarding to the collector, not to mention the reader who simply enjoys historic Americana.
Included are more than 700 graphic color images. Topics include automobiles, beer, paints, telephones, tobacco, travel, tobacco and soft drinks. There are current values on all of them.
Chapters in the book are devoted to the styles of such signs that include flat one-sided, flat two-sided, flanged and curved. Moreover there are sections on pump plates, petroleum signs, municipal signs, thermometers, door pushes, match strikers and even license plate tags.
The author of this quality volume has written several books on antiques. Thanks in part to the Internet, “The past few years have seen a tremendous growth in collecting advertising. Of the many media used by companies to bring attention to their products or services, none seem to have had the overall appeal of porcelain enamel.
“The process of creating porcelain signs is actually an art in itself,” adds Bruner, “and the influx of new collectors in the market place attests to porcelain enamel advertising’s beauty.”
Again, this volume offers a rich array of signs of America’s past from the Bus Depot of Santa Fe Trailways to White Swan Brand Food Products. The fare also includes the likes of Dollar General, Dr. Pepper, Pan American Airways and Coca-Cola, too.
Signs of Our Past: Porcelain Enamel Advertising in America by Michael Bruner, hard cover, color illustrated, current values, index, 256 pages is $59.99 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310.
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