Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry: Key Styles and How to Recognize Them

After a brief history of watchmaking and tips on recognizing quality, Edwards offers alphabetically arranged essays on 55 of the most prestigious wristwatch makers. The sumptuous full-color photographs are advertisement-quality, and sometimes the text reads like a sales catalog, although no prices are given. Still, there is enough information to spark interest in would-be collectors, and a helpful glossary will help those researching single pieces they inherited. The volume on costume jewelry is one of those "introductions to appreciation" that is so well written and produced that it may very well inspire people to take a second look at their "junk" jewelry. Gorgeous, full-color photographs of more than 200 necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches show stylistic details. Many are one-of-a-kind marked pieces most readers will admire here but never be able to buy, but the authors do succeed in describing characteristics of styles from the 18th-century through the present to help readers choose a favorite period to collect. Again, no prices are provided, but tips on collecting, care, and repairs and a glossary are included. Both books are excellent introductions to their topics at a good price; especially recommended for public or small libraries and as supplements to larger collections.?Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
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