Warman’s Vietnam War Collectibles by David Doyle, Krause Publications, 2008. Softcover, 256 pages, color photos, values. List price: $24.99.
The photos are subtle but striking.
That’s the impression I have after paging through Warman’s Vietnam War Collectibles. However, the images making the biggest impact aren’t those of the collectibles featured in this picture price guide. Instead, it’s the variety of photographs from the National Archives and private collectors — pictures of Americans on the ground in Southeast Asia during the war.
Those images help put the rest of this book into perspective. Too often, military collectibles are seen in a sterile environment, such as an antique show or auction, where it’s easy to forget the history behind those pieces.
By interspersing everyday photos of American soldiers in Vietnam, the author brings a touch of reality to the objects he features.
Those items vary greatly. If it was used by the U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, chances are good you’ll find it in this price guide. The objects range from clothing to vehicles, and from weapons to personal gear.
The Army gets top billing, with chapters devoted to the Army Medical Department, Chaplain Corps, Chemical Corps, Corps of Engineers, Ordinance Corps, Quartermaster Corps, Signal Corps, Transportation Corps, Army publications, insignia, personal gear and military payment certificates.
Three other sections focus on the Navy and Marines, Air Force, and war trophies. Captions and supplemental text provide plenty of information.
But, it’s the use of vintage photographs that really bring those items into focus.
Antique Santa Claus Collectibles by David Longest, Collector Books, 2009. Hardcover, 192 pages, color photos, values. List price: $29.95.
From figurines to postcards to Christmas ornaments, hundreds of Santa Claus collectibles are illustrated in this picture price guide. The items are grouped within four timeframes — Victorian era through World War I, 1920s to 1930s, 1940s to 1960s, and 1970s to present. There’s also a chapter on Santa Claus, Ind., home of the former Santa Claus Land. Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes by C. Dianne Zweig, Collector Books, 2009. Hardcover, 320 pages, color photos, values. List price: $29.95.
Defining cottage as “a look which marries different periods and styles together,” this picture price guide illustrates hundreds of objects that fall within the genre. The author also suggests ways to create the cottage-style look. The items pictured are grouped into 12 diverse chapters by theme: Country Cottage Kitchen, Romantic Cottage Dining, Sweet Shabby Dreams, Rock-a-Bye Cottage Baby, Pretty in Print, Vanity, Sew Cottage-Y, On the Porch, Cottage Garden, At the Beach, Cabin Fever, and Holidays at the Cottage. Warman’s Vintage Jewelry by Leigh Leshner, Krause Publications, 2008. Softcover, 256 pages, color photos, values. List price: $24.99.
White metal and rhinestone jewelry of the 1920s through the 1940s is the focus of this picture price guide, which features 750 color photos of more than 1,000 pieces of jewelry. Items are grouped by bracelets and bangles, brooches and pins, clips, duettes, earrings, necklaces and pendants, rings, sets and miscellaneous. The following book is an updated edition. Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide, 27th Edition, Collector Books, 2009. Softcover, 608 pages, color photos, values. List price: $19.95. The following calendars and diary are also available. The Collectible Teapot & Tea Calendar for 2009 by Joni Miller, Workman Publishing, $13.99. Cynthia Hart’s Victoriana 2009 Calendar, Workman Publishing, $14.99.
French Country Diary 2009 by Linda Dannenberg and Guy Bouchet, Workman Publishing, $17.99. |
