Building a Collectibles Reference Library

Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks: Pottery and Porcelain, 1850 to the Present

by: Ralph Kovel, Terry Kovel

Amazon Price: $9.43 (as of 05/31/2012)

This is one of my most used books written by the husband and wife collectibles experts, Ralph and Terry Kovel. I reach for it over and over.This reference specifically covers pottery and porcelain marks from 1850 to the present, which actually is the mid 1980s as it is copyrighted in 1986. It is well organized and allows the reader to search for marks in several ways. Each mark has a pictorial of the mark, the name of the manufacturer, the city and country of the maker, the type of pottery or porcelain that mark was used on and the date range it was used, as well as the date range the maker was in business. The appendices in the back offer invaluable information including a glossary of frequently seen terms, charts of how to date items made by some of the best companies, company "family trees" of mergers and associations, and a section of fake marks also.

Price Guide to Contemporary Collectibles and Limited Editions (Price Guide to Contemporary Collectibles & Limited Editions)

Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 05/31/2012)

This reference and price guide by Mary L. Seiber has been invaluable. On Ruby Lane, collectibles must be at least 20 years old or noted in a written price guide in order to list the item in my shop. This book has allowed me to list many items that otherwise would not have been eligible. The book copyrighted 2004 lists thousands of items in several categories: Bells, Cottages, Dolls, Figurines, Color Gallery, Ornaments, Plates, Prints, and Steins. Each category is broken down by company with items listed by name along with the year issued, the edition size, retired/open/closed, the issue price and the trend price.

Official Price Guide to Pottery and Porcelain: 8th Edition (Official Price Guide to Pottery & Porcelain)

by: Harvey Duke

Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 05/31/2012)

Another of my favorites! A must have for anyone interested in pottery companies producing art pottery or dinnerware.The photos are all black and white. Each chapter on a company provides a history of the company, the marks used, and highlights the company's most popular wares. The patterns or lines are broken down into pieces produced, dimensions, identifying details, colors, and price range. Very handy reference.

Collecting Lladro: Identification & Price Guide

by: Peggy Whiteneck

Amazon Price: $85.00 (as of 05/31/2012)

This one is the Bible for Lladro collectors and dealers. A beautiful book by Peggy Whiteneck with gorgeous color photos and over 1600 listings, as well as detailed history of the company and its marks.

The Estee Lauder Solid Perfume Compact Collection 1967-2001

by: Roselyn Gerson

Amazon Price: $71.92 (as of 05/31/2012)

Another collectible I have fallen in love with are the solid perfume compacts produced by Estee Lauder. This reference by Roselyn Gerson, with gorgeous close-up photographs by her husbnd, Alvin Gerson, provides a comprehensive history of the Estee Lauder company, and the solid perfume compact line specifically. Watch out! Collecting the compacts can become addictive.