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JEWELRY MAKING THROUGH HISTORY

AN ENCYCLOPEDIA

by Rayner W. Hesse, Jr.

This wonderful, well-researched book is an excellent resource for anyone who wishes to learn everything and anything about jewelry from its beginnings through the present time. It is well organized, easy to use and interesting reading if you wish to sit down and read it through, but it is also a handy reference tool for times when you need to know that one special thing. I know that I will use it over and over again for just that.

220 pages, limited photographs
Greenwood Press, $55.00
www.greenwood.com

THE LITTLE BOOK OF
MEXICAN SILVER TRADE
AND
HALLMARKS

new revised edition

by Bille Hougart

review by Marbeth Schon

Click on the banner above this review to order the best little book to date on Mexican hallmarks because you should not be without it! This edition is absolutely invaluable to the Mexican silver collector. It is chocked full of photographs of hallmarks, many that you won't find anywhere else. When I received my copy, I was astounded by the amount of research that Bille has done to come up with this new edition of his already successful and popular book.

Thank you Bille!

287 Pages
Paperback
$24.95

All About
Antique Silver
with International Hallmarks

by Diana Sanders Cinamon

review by Marbeth Schon

This little book would be a great addition to anyone's library who collects or deals in silver jewelry and objects. The first five chapters talk about the different methods of examining silver, various types of silver and silver plating, ways silver items are made, and how to identify and date pieces by style and period. The rest of the book is dedicated to international silver hallmarks and though not as extensive in this area as "Tardy" it is definitely a good companion to that book and has fresh information and up to date hallmarks. I am very pleased to own a copy of "All About Antique Silver!"

270 pages
146 Pictures in addition to hallmark photographs.
Paperback
$39.95

Available at http://www.aaa-publishing.com

	Bejewelled by TIFFANY 1837 - 1987 by Clare Phillips with contributions by Vivienne Becker, Ulysses Grant Dietz, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, John Loring, and Katherine Purcell review by Marbeth Schon
If you are already a Tiffany jewelry aficionado, this is a must-have book. If not, you will nonetheless be astounded by the gorgeous photographs of jewelry contained in Bejewelled by Tiffany, 1837-1987 and will certainly be impressed by the story of Tiffany & Co.'s extraordinary one hundred and fifty years of success. Click here to read the entire review ISBN: 0-300-11651-9 PRICE: $65.00 PAGES: 320 pp., 9-3/4 x 12 ILLUSTRATIONS: 170 b/w + 300 color PUBLICATION DATE: September 1, 2006 Published by Yale University Press available at: http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/book.asp?isbn=0300116519
	CONTEMPORARY ENAMELING *Art & Techniques* by Lilyan Bachrach review by Marbeth Schon
This beautiful, new book from Schiffer Publishing by Lilyan Bachrach is an enlarged and expanded edition of her very successful book, Enameling with Professionals. This new edition has nine new sections and over 300 additional photographs! Lilyan is a veteran enamelist of over fifty years who has studied with the "greats" such as Kenneth Bates and Doris Hall. The book discusses the techniques and materials for using vitreous enamels and has "how I work" chapters by over 30 enamel artists who share their secrets of working with the techniques of cloisonné, plique--a- jour, champlevé, etc. There are photographs of the work of over 55 individual contemporary enamelists. I highly recommend this book for jewelers, artists, and collectors. For more information about Lilyan Bachrach see Lilyan Bachrach, Enamelist Author Hardcover with dust jacket; 9" x 11"; 192 pages including index and charts. $39.95 item #M003 click here to order this book
	Collector's Timeline by Christie Romero review by Marbeth Schon
For jewelry collectors who want to put things in perspective historically, this is a wonderful ,concise, easy to take along, little book. Have you ever wondered if a particular finding was the right period for a piece of jewelry, or whether or not the materials in the piece you just found can help to date it? This "tough" little book has answers for those types of questions and it fits easily into your purse or bag so you can have it along when you are making buying decisions. Thank you Christie! $13.95 about 18 pages including covers color coded available at http://www.collectorstimeline.com/buyme.php3
	MODERNIST JEWELRY 1930-1960 The Wearable Art Movement by Marbeth Schon review by Jill and Byron Crawford What a fabulous and comprehensive book ! Brilliantly written with an enormous range of wonderful photographs. Marbeth Schon has demonstrated that she is a thorough and thoughtful jewelry historian. She has given us a book that puts mid-twentieth century modernist jewelry on the map, linking the expression of this wonderful art form to historical and philosophical movements.
The provocative and masterful work of the "titans" of this period, Sam Kramer, Margaret de Patta, Art Smith and Peter Macchiarinni is explored in depth, along with that of lesser-known jewelry designers who deserve recognition. I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who appreciates jewelry as an artistic form.
Biographies of 175 jewelers are included together with 540 color and 35 black and white photographs, value references, images of 74 makers' marks, index, and table of contents. Hardcover with dust jacket; 9" x 11-1/4"; 272 pages. $69.95 #M002 click here to order an autographed copy
	Secrets of the Gem Trade The Connoisseur's Guide To Precious Gemstones by Richard W. Wise review by Marbeth Schon Secrets or the Gem Trade by Richard W. Wise is a comprehensive guide to understanding gemstones. Wise enthusiastically shares his vast knowledge of the history of gemology, the science and art of gem cutting, the characteristics of over 16 basic varieties of gems from diamonds to tanzanite to pearls, and reveals some of the "secrets" of the savvy gem trader. Wise's connoisseurship has come from many years of study and field work. His very beautiful and well written book is an invaluable guide for anyone interested in gemstones and the gem trade, whether novice or expert.
292 pages, hard cover, $79.95 Available at http://www.secretsofthegemtrade.com/ See MODERN SILVER magazine article: Secrets of the Gem Trade: Margaret De Patta and the American Lapidary Renaissance by Richard W. Wise

Spratling Silver: A Field Guide
Recognizing a William Spratling Treasure

by Phyllis M. Goddard

review by Marbeth Schon

I am very pleased to announce Spratling Silver: A Field Guide, Recognizing a William Spratling Treasure by Phyllis Goddard!

The book is beautiful, concise, and informative. Because it's a field guide,
the book is small and light enough to go along on any shopping expedition.
There are hundreds of colored photos of Spratling jewelry and objects together with clear photos of each Spratling hallmark with timelines explaining when the marks were used and with what materials.

"Spratling Silver: A Field Guide," is the succinct answer to queries about William Spratling hallmarks and when and how they were used.

Soft cover, 152 pages, over 500 photographs.

Available for $39.95 at www.spratlingsilver.com

Warman's
J E W E L R Y

Identification and Price Guide

ALL COLOR 3RD EDITION

by CHRISTIE ROMERO

review by Marbeth Schon

This is the book we've all been waiting for--The 3rd Edition of Warman's Jewelry by Christie Romero with colored photos on every page!

Warman's is an indispensable field guide; a book that can and should go with you whenever you plan to shop for jewelry.

This essential book for jewelry collectors and dealers covers every period and type of jewelry from Late Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century to Twentieth Century and Special Collectible Jewelry--from fine to costume to designer.

You will find historical information, current market trends, marks information, references, as well as a very helpful glossary of jewelry terms. Warman's Jewelry by Christie Romero is the "Webster's Dictionary" of the jewelry world. Don't be caught without this important resource.

A signed copy is now available at a 15% discount at www.center4jewelrystudies.org

T H E W O R L D O F
BERTOIA

by Nancy Schiffer & Val O. Bertoia

review by Marbeth Schon

The World of Bertoia is stunning pictorially and freshly revealing in it's intense new look at the "design innovations, original and beautiful forms, and tonal experiences" of 20th Century designer, Harry Bertoia.

This is an incredibly comprehensive monograph about one man whose contributions to 20th Century art and design were innovative, seminal, and are now, indelibly part of American culture. The book walks you through Bertoia's life with a timeline from his birth in 1915 to his death in 1978. Every aspect of his career including jewelry making, sculpture, furniture, sound sculpture, screens, prints and drawings is explored.

Hardcover, 270 pages, 500 color and 200 black and white photographs

The price from Schiffer Books is $89.95

Order this book on our book sales page

ART JEWELRY TODAY
by Dona Z. Meilach

review by Marbeth Schon

Art Jewelry Today is a comprehensive guide to the techniques and designs of contemporary art jewelers.

The book has hundreds of exquisite colored photographs of the work of today's top designers together with discussions about how each approaches his/her craft and the materials and procedures used to create jewelry.

This is a valuable resource for collectors, jewelers, and sellers of contemporary jewelry.

Hardcover, 550 color photos, 256 pages

The price from Schiffer Books is $50.00

Order this book on our book sales page

	WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE MAESTROS DE PLATA Published by Henry Abrams, Inc. in association with the San Antonio Museum of Art Penny C. Morrill guest curator
Essays by Penny C. Morrill, John W. Scott, Helen Delpar, Adriana Williams, Gobi Stromberg, Jaime Castrejon Diez, Christie Romero, Patrick Kapty, Phyllis Goddard, and Jill Crawford.
William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Rennaissance, Maestros de Plata is the catalog for the traveling exhibit of modern Mexican silver which opened at the San Antonio Museum of Art last October (see our preview of the exhibit Maestros de Plata). It is the most beautiful, historically interesting, and comprehensive book about William Spratling, his life, and his jewelry published to date. There are magnificent photos of the work of Spratling and other Mexican silversmiths along with information on Mexican metalsmithing techniques and materials, and hallmarks. If you are a collector of Mexican silver, this book is will be an outstanding addition to your library. Hardcover, 279 pages, 470 illustrations, 340 color plates Available at www.spratlingsilver.com
	a personal touch the seawolf collection late 19th- and 20th-century silver This very new publication is an exquisitely illustrated catalog of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and 20th Century modern European and American silver hollowware and some jewelry for the exhibition of the Seawolf Collection which is currently on display at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam (through the 20th of April 2003).
a personal touch is one of the most expertly designed and researched books on modern silver I've had the opportunity to own. There are also essays by experts on English silver, American 20th Century silver, and continental silver as well as detailed photographs of maker's marks. 256 pages with at least 500 photographs. available at www.naipublishers.nl email: info@naipublishers.nl
	Twentieth Century Costume Jewelry by Angie Gordon Published in 1990, this gorgeous compilation of photographs and fascinating information, is a must for a serious collector of 20th Century costume jewelry. There are only a limited number of copies now available in hardback.
Angie Gordon writes about her passion for costume jewelry which started with early paste jewelry and continued to include bold gilt and geometric jewelry from the 1930s and 1940s. The book lists all of the major 20th Century Costume jewelry manufactures with pictures of marks and historical information. 100s of color photographs, over 250 pages, hardback. email Angie to order this book: Lovejoy@gulfaccess.net
	Linda MacNeil United in Beauty: The Jewelry and Collectors of Linda MacNeil Published by Schiffer review by Marbeth Schon
This beautiful book by Schiffer features the art of contemporary jeweler Linda MacNeil. The uniqueness of this publication, compared to other monographs of this type, is that the jewelry is photographed worn by it's owner/collector so that the "connection between the wearer and the work" can be analyzed. Linda MacNeil is an internationally recognized jeweler who's work has been featured in American Craft, Craft Horizons, Neues Glas, Metalsmith, and many other magazines and craft publications. Her works are in numerous museums including the American Craft Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You will be enchanted by the magnificent photographs of MacNeil's masterful designs. The price in hardcover from Schiffer Books is $59.95

GEORG
JENSEN
2Oth CENTURY DESIGNS

Preface by Janet Drucker
and William Drucker

Published by Schiffer

reviewed by Marbeth Schon

Georg Jensen, 20th Century Designs, a beautiful new book on Jensen silver by Janet Drucker, author of Georg Jensen: A Tradition of Splendid Silver, and her son William Drucker, takes the reader on a nostalgic and fascinating journey through Georg Jensen jewelry and hollowware catalogs from the 1940s-1960s. The jewelry section includes gold and silver designs for men and woman from the 1940s and the huge section on hollowware covers designs from the 1950s-60s. There are hundreds of black and white photographs as well as indexes with product numbers, original retail prices, measurements, and designers.

This compilation of Jensen catalogs, which were previously very difficult to obtain, will become a standard reference tool for collectors, dealers, and individuals who appreciate and treasure Georg Jensen designs.

The price in hardback from Schiffer Books is $69.95

Order this book on our book sales page

Aluminum by design: Jewelry to Jets

Curated by Sarah Nichols
Published by Abrams

Reviewed by Patrick Kapty

"Aluminum by Design”, the glossy coffee table sized book that accompanies the exhibition of the same name is a real eye-opener for those not familiar with the spectacular rise of aluminum over the last century and a half. From an extremely rare and novel material used in conjunction with precious metals and stones, to one of the most pervasive materials in our present day culture, the story of aluminum makes for fascinating reading.

A series of short essays by several noteworthy experts in the field lays out the history of aluminum, and the volume is splendidly illustrated with the many interesting and unique objects to be seen at the exhibition. “Aluminum by design” is well worth the $50 or so price tag, and if the exhibition is yet to make it to your area, don’t miss it!

The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks - Hecho en Mexico

by Bille Hougart

Review by Patrick Kapty

The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks is that, and a whole lot more! Though we're just reviewing this nifty little tome, it's already listed on the SilverForum Indispensable Books list. And for good reason, nowhere else are so many of the hallmarks, both known and unknown, brought together in one easy-to-use volume. For collectors of Mexican silver jewelry and objects this is a must-have for the field!

Bille Hougart has compiled over 1200 marks that are found on Mexican silver, and with many of them has included concise biographies that often include descriptive information valuable to the collector. Of particular usefulness this volume also includes cross-references to eagle marks among the regular listings as well as an entire section on the eagle marks with the various maker's marks that have been found with them. And, if that's not enough, the author has also included a chronology of key events, a glossary of common terms, a biography, and an index. Needless to say, this level of scholarly endeavor is not common in most books for collectors.
Thank you, Bille, for a job well done!

Navajo Spoons
Indian Artistry and the Souvenir Trade, 1880s-1940s

by Cindra Kline

review by Marbeth Schon

Navajo Spoons, Indian Artistry and the Souvenir Trade 1880s-1940s is a well-researched, unique chronology of the Navajo silver spoon trade.

Navajo spoons have been continually sought after by collectors since the Victorians began railroad travel to the Southwestern U.S. and discovered the beautifully designed hand-wrought spoons which the Navajo silversmiths formed from silver dollars and silver quarters and decorated with impressed Thunderbirds, arrows, whirling logs, headdresses, eagles, stars, feathers, and hundreds of motifs, each individual and one-of-a-kind.

If you've never thought about collecting Navajo spoons, this book with it's numerous color photographs of these charming mementos will certainly whet your appetite for the hunt. Good luck!