Join the Discussion I have a growing collection of Hall Wildfire and Rose Parade Kitchenware. I would like to buy a book for info. Which one would you suggest? RITAE11

Related Resources • Searching for Hidden Treasures • Collecting Books as Gift Ideas • Buy the Books Referenced in this Article

From Other Guides • Collectors Books, The Good and The Bad!

As you know, even the most experienced explorers required a compass to guide them along their way. This holds true for collectors as well. The tools, references guides and researched information you employ serve as your "compass," so to speak.

The International Society of Appraisers (ISA) recently took this idea one step further and actually developed a series of books called Collector's Compass. The first four titles cover jewelry, Barbie dolls, '50s décor and 20th century glass.

A blurb on the cover of each book reads "Your Resource for Building and Caring for a Collection." Do they live up to this claim?

In most cases, I'd say yes. Although I did notice that the glassware book shows two pieces of reproduction Mayfair glassware and only refutes one of them as being fake. In all fairness though, since I actually collect Barbie dolls, depression glass and jewelry, these books do offer lots of useful information.

Each volume states why the items are collectible, offers background information, care suggestions and other useful tips for the collector hungry for knowledge. Ideas on where to find the goodies in general and suggested reading to learn more on each topic also find a spot in each book.

Some of the most useful information included in each volume can be found in the resource sections. These back-of-the-book segments detail the best places to shop, periodicals on each topic, where to obtain repairs and clubs to join. All good things to know when you're just starting to explore the vast collecting world.

What's not included? Pricing information. These aren't price guides; so if you're looking to value a collection rather than learn about accumulating one, don't be misled. This isn't a bad thing, however. Value judgments can be so subjective; it's nice to actually read a collecting book for the educational value every now and then rather than just leafing through a picture book with prices.

Would these titles benefit the advanced collector? Not enough to pay $12.95 each. There just isn't enough new information on each topic to make these books appealing to the advanced collector. Some people just have to own every book in their collecting niche, however. If you're one of these folks, at least these paperbacks are affordable.

The next four titles in the Collector's Compass series are due out in May 2001. Movie star collectibles, American coins, '60s décor, and 20th century dinnerware will be added to the collection at that time. They should follow the same format as the initial installment in the series.

And, according to the new editor working on this project, Leon Castner, several more titles will be introduced next fall. Castner works as an auctioneer, certified appraiser and instructor for ISA's educational programs so his input should be valuable in continuing to produce this quality line of reference guides.

Look for the Collector's Compass series in the Antiques Bookstore on this site.

Photo by Pamela Wiggins

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