Antiques & collectibles

From the flint tool to the stylus, from the quill pen to the fountain pen and felt-tip marker, this book invites one to develop anew or deepen one's love for beautiful old writing instruments. Hundreds of contemporary engravings, illustrations, advertisements, photos, and catalog and brochure excerpts accompany the reader through the written history of the quill pen, pencil fountain pen and paper and their use. Here editors and journalists, salespeople, architects, students, and above all, collectors of historic writing instruments, will find facts about the origin, variations, and further development of one of the most important and personal of our useful tools-the writing instrument. Beginning with the origins of writing, Geyer covers the early writing instruments, steel pens, pencil, fountain pens, ball-point pens, and even the felt-tip marker. The greatest emphasis is on beautiful historical fountain pens. The major brands studied include Conway-Stewart, Cross, Edding, Faber-Castell, Geha, Kaeco, Lamy, Montblanc, Onoto, Parker, Pelikan, Senator, Schwan-Stabilo, Sheaffer, Soennecken, Staedtler,Swan Wahl-Eversharp, Waterman.

This book is for all people using, owning, or collecting fountain pens and their matching pencils. It introduces the beginning pen collector to the hobby and answers questions asked by advanced pen collectors about the earliest and rarest pens. With over 1,000 fountain pens illustrated in full color, it will identify pens and provide the opportunity to examine many rare pens that were produced. The examples represent the whole range of the history and production of fountain pens, from the earliest to the present, and from the most common to the rarest. L.E. Waterman, Parker, Swan, Sheaffer, Wahl-Eversharp, Mont Blanc, Crocker, Chilton, Moore, A.A. Waterman and many other companies are included. A large representation of company advertising has been gathered. A must for collectors, dealers, and all those who appreciate the ingenuity and creativity of industry.

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) is one of the most influential and beloved figures in the history of photography. His inventive work of the early 1930s helped define the creative potential of modern photography. Following World War II, he helped found the Magnum photo agency, which enabled photojournalists to reach a broad audience through magazines such as Life while retaining control over their work. Cartier-Bresson would go on to produce major bodies of photographic reportage, capturing such events as China during the revolution, the Soviet Union after Stalin's death, the United States in the postwar boom and Europe as its older cultures confronted modern realities. Published to accompany an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, this is the first major publication to make full use of the extensive holdings of the Fondation Cartier-Bresson-including thousands of prints and a vast resource of documents relating to the photographer's life and work. The heart of the book surveys Cartier-Bresson's career through 300 photographs divided into 12 chapters. While many of his most famous pictures are included, a great number of images will be unfamiliar even to specialists. A wide-ranging essay by Peter Galassi, Chief Curator of Photography at the Museum, offers an entirely new understanding of Cartier-Bresson's extraordinary career and its overlapping contexts of journalism and art. The extensive supporting material-featuring detailed chronologies of the photographer's professional travels and of spreads of his picture stories as they appeared in magazines-will revolutionize the study of Cartier-Bresson's work.

For the first time ever, the world’s most famous jewelers come together, presenting their most luscious pieces for your delectation. Jewelry International, the only book of its kind, features the world’s most exquisite jewels and the companies that craft them. Two introductory chapters explore in depth the myths, legends, mystery, and history of two of the most perfect gems on earth: diamonds and pearls. The most fabulous names in the world of haute jewelry, such as Boucheron, Bulgari, Chanel, and Mauboussin, each have their own chapters, focusing on the history and significant pieces of each house. Special interviews focusing on the black diamonds of de Grisogono, the "happy diamonds" of Chopard, and the extraordinary diamonds of Leviev accompany the editorial chapters. Gorgeous photographs of stunning haute jewelry pieces and an in-depth text make this book a must-have for anyone in love with jewelry.

Judith Miller takes on the 20^th century with this new, expansive handbook for both beginning and established collectors.

Modern design is beautiful, functional, idiosyncratic, increasing in value, and still relatively affordable. Now, Judith Miller introduces a extensive sourcebook, written specifically for the 20^th century collector. From the birth of modern design, through modernism, art deco, mid-century modern, and the post-modern and contemporary years, 20th CENTURY takes a close look all the most important design and collectible categories, including ceramics, glass, furniture, lamps and lighting, clocks, silver and metalwares, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, domestic wares and posters.

Including 5,000 photographs and in-depth analysis, collectors will get the inside track on which designs are the true classics and how to make the smartest purchases for the future.

The 21st anniversary issue of the world's best-selling collectibles price guide.

More than 4,000 items are photographed to make each edition of MILLER'S COLLECTIBLES PRICE GUIDE the most comprehensive, informative, colorful and up-to-date price guide on the market. Now, back for its 21^st year, this year's guide includes sections on advertising, books, ceramics, character collectibles, dolls, film and television memorabilia, glass, Inuit art, pens and writing equipment, plastics and Bakelite, posters, rock and pop, sporting memorabilia, toys and games, vintage fashion, and much, much more.

Special features explain why one piece is worth more than another and show how to value an item and teach you how to be your own expert. Biographies of designers and factories give the background information you need to help date and value objects.

Whether you're buying or selling on eBay, at dealers and shops, or at flea markets and garage sales, this book is indispensible.