Antique Desks

A Business and Tax Guide for Antique Collectibles

Book Description
Collecting and owning antiques and collectibles can be pleasurable, but can also create business and tax issues which require an understanding of the possible choices available and the making of well informed decisions. This book addresses these issues, and outlines the choices and responses. Written for both the expert and non-expert, this book, which answers questions you may not even have thought of, is an important addition to any collectibles library and is a must for anyone associated with antiques and collectibles. There are sections included on keeping records, acquiring antiques and collectibles, antiques and your estate, ownership issues, trading collectibles, private annuities, establishing values and disposing of your collection, appraising and grading, insurance protection, and liquidating antiques and collectibles. If you are an antiques dealer, a collector, or an investor, and if antiques and collectibles are your day-to-day business, this book will be invaluable. AUTHORBIO: John (Jack) Kelly has been a collector all his life, a dealer of antiques for the past 20 years, and a longtime business and sports executive. His specific interests include Olympic collectibles, particularly medals, posters, and torches, Russian pre-Revolution antiques, and Art Deco period posters. REVIEW: This book is a handy resource for antique dealers and collectors who may not realize how their antique stores and collections relate to taxes. From a business standpoint, this guide is a necessity. The authors walk you through keeping records, trading collectibles, private annuities, and more. It's a great resource that covers a generally overlooked topic in the antiques business.

A Vase of Mistaken Identity (Thea James Mystery Series, Book 1)

Product Review
"A Vase of Mistaken Identity is a classic cozy mystery. Thea is a delightful heroine and follows clues in a logical manner. But the nice thing is her realness. I leave clean laundry piles out on occasion and have been known to chase down my cat in my slippers. I love her kindness toward the homeless guy too. The setting is quaint, I would love to visit her shop!" (Linda Mae Baldwin The Road to Romance )

"Cathy Elliott's debut novel is a delightfully entertaining read, in the genre of 'cozy mystery.' Her characters are quirky and humorous, and several times I found myself laughting out loud at her protagonist's crazy antics and self-talk. I could relate with amusement to moments such as when the police investigate a break-in at Thea's cottage, and she allows them to believe her home was ransacked rather than admit to a case of bad housekeeping! Elliott's heroine is so very humanoshe endears herself to the reader from the very first page, and you can't help but admire Thea's bumbling bravery as she searches for answers to the mysteries she finds herself embroiled inothe one unfolding in Larkindale and the mystery of God's love unfolding in her own rebellious heart. The townsfolk are three-dimentional characters that really come to life; full of quirks and whimsy that help them to stay with you long after the story has ended. The novel even includes instructions for making the same quilt that Thea makes in between playing detective. A thoroughly enjoyable and light-hearted read and I very much hope that we hear more from the wonderful town of Larkindale and its unforgettable characters." (Rachel Koopmans CB Reviews )

"If you're looking for a delicious suspense mystery with quirky, realistic characters and a page-turning plot, don't miss Elliott's A Vase of Mistaken Identity." (Gloria Mareschal livinglightnews.org )

Product Description
When Thea James discovers a puzzling list inside a vintage vase, she finds four names on the list . . . including her own! Follow this small-town antique dealer as she becomes a relentless detective on the trail of a killer in this page-turner mystery. Guaranteed fiction! (20061020)

American Furniture: Chests, Cupboards, Desks And Other Pieces: the Antique Hunter's Guide

Product Description
This handy, authoritative guide contains over 300 premier examples of American case furniture -- chests, cupboards, & desks -- built from the 17th century to the mid-20th. From Federal, Chippendale & Empire styles to country, Mission & mid-century modern, this splendid array of furniture has been photographed appraised, & categorized specifically for the collector. Each photo is accompanied by an extensive caption that examines the maker, year of manufacture, materials of the piece, & hints for collectors such as the scarcity of the piece, demand, condition, & points to check before buying. A price guide rounds out this indispensable guidebook. "A boon for the general collector." 100+ color illustrations.

Antique and Collectible Buttons: Identification and Values

Book Description
The button, both functional and decorative, can be deservingly considered an art form on a small scale. This book is a dazzling color array of outstanding examples. Thousands of buttons are featured in over 300 color plates. Debra Wisniewski, an avid collector, has chosen the most beautiful and fascinating buttons to represent the vast variety available. They are displayed in this gorgeous hardcover book which provides invaluable information to the collector - complete descriptions, dates, and of course, current values. The realistic price ranges given reflect actual prices paid and considerable discussion with other collectors. All ages, styles and materials are represented in this fascinating reference and value guide. It's a perfect book for anyone who appreciates the art, craft, beauty, and skill apparent in these buttons. 2003 values. REVIEW: In only 168 pages, this book has made a successful collector out of me. It has numerous illustrations, all in color; an orderly method of describing types of buttons and their history; tips on cleaning and displaying them; and addresses of publications, suppliers, and clubs for collectors. Although it is crisply informative, the book also conveys the pleasant, upbeat personality of the writer. -Amazon.com

Antique and Contemporary Advertising Memorabilia (Antique and Contemporary Advertising...

Product Description
The 2004 Advertising book has been largely expanded with over 1,000 new listings and photos plus updates on current listings. All listings indicate the condition of the item and are keyed to indicate whether the value assigned was derived from an auction, collector, or dealer. Designed to be a valuable tool for the beginner as well as the advanced collector with its easy-to-use alphabetical format and clear, full-color photographs, this book will be wanted by every collector and dealer for their research libraries. 2005 values. AUTHORBIO: B.J. Summers continues to compile essential references for advertising and Coca-Cola collectors. His popular books include Pocket Guide to Coca-Cola, Summers' Guide to Coca-Cola, Soda Pop Memorabilia, Antique Contemporary Advertising Memorabilia, and Value Guide to Gas Station Memorabilia. His books have become standard references in their fields. REVIEW: Advance warning: do not miss the AQS Calendar 2005 just published for the forthcoming year if you're an avid quilter or know someone who is. Once again the most beautiful of quilt designs are captured in a practical wall calendar format pairing full-page quilt designs with large-box calendar wall format presentation. Highly recommended indeed.

Antique Brass and Copper Identification and Value Guide

Product Description
This book will help both the buyer and seller make accurate evaluations. Full-color photographs of more than 500 items together with complete descriptions and current values make this an invaluable reference. Lighting implements, fireplace equipment, kitchen items, tools, hardware fixtures, decorative personal objects, and household copper items including entrance foyer, parlor study, kitchen dining room, and bed bath pieces are featured. 2001 values. AUTHORBIO: Mary Frank Gaston's study of antiques began during the mid-1960s when she and her husband lived in New England which is so rich in our nation's history. She has authored many titles, with subjects including Flow Blue China, Blue Willow, English China, Limoges Porcelain, R.S. Prussia, Antique Brass Copper, Knowles, Taylor Knowles China, and Art Deco. Most of her books have seen multiple editions and/or volumes, as her books are extremely popular among collectors. REVIEW: A reader from Frederick, MD says, "I read 'No Dragons On My Quilt' to my daughter about 12 years ago after borrowing it from a library. Of course we ordered our very own copy. Back then we got it in hardback. Our whole family loves the book so much that we tried to order an extra copy for my son a few years ago. We wanted copies for each child to be passed down to their own kids when they were grown. (It's that kind of book.)"

About The Author
Mary Frank Gaston's study of antiques began during the mid-1960s when she and her husband lived in New England which is so rich in our nation's history. Most of her books have seen multiple editions and/or volumes, as her books are extremely popular among collectors.

Antique Electric Waffle Irons 1900-1960: A History of the Appliance Industry in 20th...

Book Description
Finally. A comprehensive collector's book and historical reference containing everything there is to know about antique and vintage electric waffle irons and the companies that made them. The author, a former science teacher, precision scientific instrument maker, and writer, has for years collected, researched, restored, and in some cases written about everything from antique pocket watches and cameras to old radios and vintage automobiles. Bill's passion for antique electric appliances has led to this first-of-its-kind book. The author's collection of waffle makers, all meticulously restored to like-new condition, numbers in the hundreds. In this book he shares with the reader everything he's learned over the years about these little marvels and the companies and people that created them.

This 258 page book is profusely illustrated with never-before-published materials about waffles and waffle irons including patent drawings, historic paintings, factory-issued literature, and vintage photos and advertisements. Also included are hundreds of informative photos of restored waffle irons from the author's personal collection along with rare and unusual examples from the collections of noted toaster and appliance aficionados from around the country.

This is no ordinary collector-type picture book. It's the culmination of hundreds of hours of research into the history of the electric appliance industry in 20th century America. Through exclusive interviews with the heirs of company founders, with former employees, and with archivists, historians, and librarians, the author has been able to compile in-depth histories of over 85 appliance manufacturers and retailers. For the first time the reader will find detailed biographies of many of the men who founded and ran the companies that gave the world the toasters, the ovens, the grills, and the other kitchen appliances that today we all take for granted.

About The Author
Bill was born in Philadelphia in 1943 but grew up in what was then rural southeast Pennsylvania. He attended Penn State University, acquiring a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education before pursuing a career teaching science and math. A five year stint of junior high school classrooms in suburban Pennsylvania and rural Ohio, convinced him that a hands-on profession would be far less frustrating and much more mentally rewarding. Two years of specialized training led to a new career as a photo equipment service technician. Bill operated his own wholesale camera repair service in Maryland and Colorado for over 15 years before selling the business and working in industry as a precision scientific instrument-maker. Bill's hobbies reflect his love of tinkering with things old and mechanical. In his spare time, when not gardening or practicing photography, he restores antique pocket watches, vintage Ford cars (five so far dating from 1929 to 1950), antique cameras, and vintage appliances.

A poor quality modern-type waffle iron that failed miserably one Sunday morning led the author on a quest for an old-style, no-nonsense waffle iron just like he remembered his mother using back in the pre-Teflon "Good old days." One vintage waffle iron led to another and another until he had gathered and restored to like-new condition over three hundred of them. Bill's curiosity to know more about these little jewels and the companies that made them led to a four year research project. This book is the culmination of that research, the author's long-time writing avocation, and his love of teaching. The author, with his wife Pat, lives in Colorado with "Maggie" a wonderfully loving and gentle dog recently acquired through the Springer Spaniel Rescue League.

Antique Hunter's Guide to American Silver and Pewter

Product Description
This visual antique reference guide has all the information readers need to identify and appraise American silver and pewter-from Colonial times to the present. Each piece-450 in all-is photographed in full color and accompanied by a detailed description of the piece, origin, date of manufacture, relationship to similar pieces and rarity, and hints for collectors, helping readers spot potentially valuable heirlooms stashed at home or at garage sales, consignment stores and flea markets.

From the Inside Flap
With over 450 examples of American silver, silver-plated, and pewter; American Silver & Pewter is the ultimate guide to the highly popular field of collectibles. From lovely Victorian flatware to graceful Federal tureens to beautifully shaped pewter tankards, this volume covers the entire range of silver and pewter objects made in America and is perfect for novice and experienced collectors alike.

Expertly researched, this handy volume features a full-color photograph of each object, accompanied by an extensive caption describing the object, its marks and dimensions, its maker and the date in was made, as well as hints for collectors such as scarcity, demand, and background information on the maker.

Easy-to-use, portable, and brimming with information, American Silver & Pewter also features a reference guide to flatware patterns (illustrated with line drawings), a glossary, and a guide to makers and their marks. An up-to-date price guide provides a range of prices for each piece, as well as a selection of comparison prices for English-made and other equivalent pieces.

Antique Iron: Identification and Values

Product Description
Antique cast-iron collectibles are featured in over 400 photographs. Included are farming, kitchen, toys, banks, and more cast-iron collectibles. This handy value guide is a wealth of information for the collector. 2004 values. AUTHORBIO: Kathryn McNerney was well-known for her expertise in many fields of antiques and collectibles, including kitchen antiques, antique tools, primitives, blue white stoneware, American oak and Victorian furniture, and antique iron. Her books saw many revised editions, and her books became standard references in the field. She left behind many followers who continue to consult her books and who have made them part of their permanent libraries. REVIEW: This book is a must for collectors of antique iron. A handy pocket guide with current collector values.

About The Author
Kathryn McNerney was well-known for her expertise in many fields of antiques and collectibles, including kitchen antiques, antique tools, primitives, blue & white stoneware, American oak and Victorian furniture, and antique iron. Her books saw many revised editions, and her books became standard references in the field. She left behind many followers who continue to consult her books and who have made them part of their permanent libraries.

Antique Oak Furniture: An Illustrated Value Guide

Product Description
In recent years oak furniture has become a very collectible item. The good solid oak pieces that were so popular from 1850 to 1930 have won the hearts of collectors. Antique Oak Furniture contains over 900 detailed black and white photographs showcasing most every style imaginable: chairs, desks, dressers, clocks, tables, couches, china cabinets, rockers, hall trees, washstands, mirrors, wardrobes, and more. 2003 values. AUTHORBIO: Conover Hill published a book, Antique Oak Furniture in 1978 that is still in print today and used by collectors across the country during their searches for antique oak pieces. REVIEW: This book will be an invaluable aid in your search for collectible oak furnishings. Detailed black and white illustrations showcase beds, chairs, tables, washstands, china cabinets, desks, dressers, buffets, and more. Current collector values are given for every piece shown.

Antique Tool Collectors Guide to Value

Book Description
This book describes, prices, and illustrates 56+ categories of antique tools! Types of tools included are: Axes, Anvils, Blacksmith, Chair Making, Chisels, Cobbler, Cooper, Knives, Drills, Farrier, Files & Rasps, Hammers, Hatchets, Lathes, Mallets, Planes, Pliers, Rules, Saws, Screwdrivers, Shears, Shipwright, Squares, Tinsmith, Tool Chests, Tool Holders, Vises, Wrenches, & Many More Items! Thousands of old tools are shown!

Antique Tools ... Our American Heritage

Product Description
This handy guide to old tools is filled with photos and useful information on common and unusual tools of the past. Fully illustrated, this quality paperback includes prices for every item. 2003 values. REVIEW: Tools of blacksmiths, farriers, wheelwrights, bricklayers, slaters, loggers, tinners, leatherworkers, lumbermen, and woodworkers, as well as transportation, land, water, and farm tools, fill the pages of this handy price guide to antique tools. The name and value of the item is given, as well as important facts on how the tools were used and who used them. It's a perfect glimpse at part of our American heritage. -John Alvey

About The Author
Kathryn McNerney was well-known for her expertise in many fields of antiques and collectibles, including kitchen antiques, antique tools, primitives, blue & white stoneware, American oak and Victorian furniture, and antique iron. Her books saw many revised editions, and her books became standard references in the field. She left behind many followers who continue to consult her books and who have made them part of their permanent libraries.