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New Books for Collectors
—
Septeber 2008
Warman’s
Political Collectibles
by Dr. Enoch Nappen
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Just in time for the presidential campaign, is the extensive Warman’s Political Collectibles by college professor Dr. Enoch Nappen.
This latest volume provides sweeping coverage of all things presidential in terms of presidential campaigns. Its parade of political treasures extends from buttons and photographs to jewelry and paper items.
Dr. Nappen, a political science professor at Monmouth University, suggests there is much more to political memorabilia that just pin-back buttons.
Optimistically he notes, “There are still hundreds of historic and contemporary items available at flea markets, antique stores, shows and auctions that are often not considered important and, as a result, are either trashed or sold for a fraction of their future historic worth. Save them and you save what the history books, unfortunately, usually ignore.”
Just the paper items chapter alone is extensive and typical of the overall coverage. That chapter includes political postcards, posters, official documents, tickets, public meeting notices and even sheet music.
Included in the kitchenware and grocery items chapter are ceramic plates, bottles, matchbooks, salt and pepper shakers, ashtrays and even bubble gum cigars.
The volume covers items from presidential campaigns dating from the 1860s to the present day. More than 1,100 color illustrations and current values included with the text. They depict everything from a $250 Franklin Roosevelt clock to a $10 “unofficial” videotape of Vice President Dan Quayle.
Overall this book will be helpful to any reader with an historical or collectible interest in past presidential campaigns. Its one flaw is that it lacks a much-needed index.
Warman’s Political Collectibles by Dr. Enoch Nappen, softcover, 256 pages, is $24.99 plus shipping from Krause Publications, 1-800-258-0929.
Treasures
From the National Trust
from the British National Trust
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Treasures From The National Trust is a rich photographic presentation of what would be wonderful to find in some lucky one’s attic.
Actually, the treasures in this case are from special “attics” of the renowned British National Trust. This noble group oversees more than 300 historic homes and more than one million fascinating items.
The book itself represents a part of their vast holdings. Remarkable items in the volume range from Tudor stained glass and 18th century dollhouses to landscape paintings and 16th century armor.
Informative captions and historic timelines help the reader wander through books, ceramics, clocks, costumes, glass, metalwork, musical instruments, vintage photography, textiles and even toys.
A distinguished dollhouse featured among the hundreds of items dates from the 18th century and still depicts the cherished interiors of that era. The pictures on the wall are actual oil paintings; the silver on the table is real and hallmarked. Moreover the very dollhouse was once a plaything of legendary author H.G. Wells.
“Our possessions gratify our sense of self, and in addition what we own tells others about us — the place we hold in society, our status, our cultural assumptions, and how we want others to regard us,” notes the book’s introduction. “And after we have gone, the physical legacy we leave intrigues later generations. Our treasures, whether glorious of relatively humble, are a testament to the people we were, the values held, and the things we used, admired and loved.”
Treasures From the National Trust, hardcover, color illustrated, 376 pages is $50 plus shipping from Trafalgar Square Publishing 1-800-888-4741.
©2000-08 Discovery Publications, Inc.