Collector's Encyclopedia of Toys and Dolls

by Lydia Darbyshire

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555216676
• ISBN13: 9781555216672
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Booksales
• Weight: 3.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Essential reference work for the collector

This charming book provides practical advice to both the beginner and the more experienced collector of toys and dolls. The introduction deals with preservation and cleaning and ways of displaying various pieces. It also covers what is best to collect and how to go about it. This includes tips on approaching dealers and auction houses and participating in swap meets.Following this, the informative chapters are titled Dolls, Automata And Mechanical Dolls, Toy Soldiers, Tin Toys, Toy Trains and Diecast Toys. Much detailed information is provided, e.g. the aforementioned chapter on dolls has information on inter alia wooden, papier-mache, wax, ceramic, fabric and celluloid dolls, plus a list of doll-related words and expressions.These chapters also discuss the major manufacturers with historical accounts of their output, their different use of materials and the availability and distinguishing features of individual pieces.The text is lavishly illustrated by both black & white and more than 400 colour photographs, whilst the lists at the end of the book includes Major Manufacturers of Dolls and Automata, Major Manufacturers of Tin Toys and Toy Soldiers and Museums and Collections to visit. The book concludes with a bibliography of monographs and journals and a useful index. This is an essential reference work for the collector and an entertaining book for the coffee table.