“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” By Hilary Shilkitus James

April 2024

Books for Collectors

“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls”
By Hilary Shilkitus James

By Corbin Crable

 

You’ve seen the more contemporary Barbie dolls everywhere, but Hilary Shilkitus James’ book “The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls” allows the collector, both casual and seasoned, a colorful peek into the world of the doll’s classic years, from 1959 to 1972. If you’ve purchased vintage dolls or found them among family heirlooms, James’ guide is sure to be a valuable resource in learning more about the pieces in your collection. More than 1,200 full-color photos show not just Barbie but other characters such as Francie, Ken, and Skipper, too. James also includes images and pricing information on playsets and outfits as well, making identifying every piece in your collection a breeze.

The photos are enhanced by James’ vivid descriptions of items both in and out of their original boxes. Stock identification numbers, manufacturing dates, and corresponding values add a more detailed layer of information to each piece as well. James’ knowledge is nothing short of encyclopedic, and her research is meticulous and will be invaluable to any collector.

According to a product description on the publisher’s website, “This edition fundamentally transforms the understanding of Barbie collectibles, establishing itself as an unparalleled reference guide adorned with a treasure trove of imagery and insights.”

Valentine Treasury

“The Complete and Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls”

By Hilary Shilkitus James

 

About the author

Hillary Shilkitus James is a doll dealer who specializes in vintage Barbie dolls, their clothes, accessories, and other unique Barbie doll items.

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 8 ½” x 11”, 1,200 color photographs, 224 pages, ISBN13: 9780764351587, binding: softcover, price: $29.99

 

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com.

“NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments” By Hans-Jüergen Becker

March 2024

Books for Collectors

“NASA: Space Flight Research and
Pioneering Developments” By Hans-Jüergen Becker

By Corbin Crable

 

Those fascinated by what exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere are sure to gobble up Hans- Jüergen Becker’s tome “NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments.”

The agency we know today as NASA actually began as NACA, The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, more than a century ago in 1915. Becker’s book recounts the history of the agency’s aerospace research, including the first supersonic flight of the X-1 in 1947 and the flights of the X-15 (the fastest manned aircraft, which reached nearly seven times the speed of sound in 1967).
Becker focuses on the agency’s research of aviation, but even the testing of space shuttles have been covered in the book.

Becker devotes words and images not only to space flight research throughout NASA’s history, but also to the people who made such innovation possible – the men and women of NASA itself. Becker’s book is well-rounded out by deep dives into research trends and development sites related to space flight and exploration.

“NASA: Space Flight and Pioneering Developments” is well suited for both the NASA enthusiast and those readers new to exploring the history of aeronautics. It is sure to be a handy compendium as NASA’s focus on the Artemis II program readies for its crewed flight next year and the public’s attention once again turns to the wonder and mystery of outer space.

 

Valentine Treasury

“NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments”

By Hans-Jüergen Becker

 

About the author

Hans-Jüergen Becker has been fascinated with aeronautics since childhood, including the developments in air and space flight by NASA. He has been writing about his passion since the 1980s.

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.
Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 8 ½” x 11”, 164 color photographs, 200 pages, ISBN13: 9780764338793, binding: hardcover, price: $39.99

 

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com.

One Hundred Years of Valentines

February 2023

Books for Collectors

“One Hundred Years of Valentines” by Katherine Kreider

By Corbin Crable

 

Remember sitting at your desk in elementary school on Valentine’s Day and anxiously waiting for your crush to slip a small envelope into the box you had carefully crafted with colored paper and red and pink hearts? You just might find that special card that you’ve kept for all these years within the pages of the book “One Hundred Years of Valentines.”

Written by Katherine Kreider, the book is described as a “photographic essay” that takes the reader throughout more than 450 Valentine’s Day cards produced from the late 19th century through the late 20th century.

The book stands as a solid resource for all periods and styles adopted by artists and manufacturers throughout the past 100 years – the Depression, dimensional, Art Deco, transportation, artist signed, honey comb paper puff, and novelty, to name a few. The book also includes a glossary of valentine terms as well as a usage guide.

Another feature of the book is the inclusion of a “Second Top 10 Most Asked Questions” list about valentines. Both collectors and dealers alike are sure to find the information contained in the book valuable and useful.

Valentine Treasury

"One Hundred Years of Valentines"

By Katherine Kreider

 

About the author

Katherine Kreider is a recognized authority and visionary in the preservation of “The Valentine.” Her first book, “Valentines With Values,” was just the beginning of documenting “The Valentine.” Kreider’s second book, “One Hundred Years of Valentines,” continues her quest to put on paper and in photographic essay the many series, artists, and art forms behind the Valentine. She has collected for the last 25 years. When “One Hundred Years of Valentines” was

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 8 ½” x 11”, 487 color photographs, price guide and index, 128 pages, glossary of terms, usage guide, ISBN13: 9780764307072, binding: soft cover, price: $24.95

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com.

“Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine’s Day Cards”

February 2022

Books for Collectors

“Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine’s Day Cards”

By Corbin Crable

 

What would the month of February be without the traditional exchanging of Valentine’s Day cards with your sweetheart or best friend? It’s a ritual we all remember from elementary school – decorating a shoebox with hearts, then placing it on the edge of our desk at school, just waiting for our crush to walk by and slip an envelope into the slot cut at the top of the box.

Author Robert Brenner explores the history of Valentine’s Day cards and their place in our society with his book, “Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine’s Day Cards.” The book traces the long history of the cards, from its earliest reference in the 17th century to the present day. The book features pages of colorful, eye-catching designs that range from more detailed, pull-down varieties such as those from the Victorian era, to the simpler ones we all remember from childhood. In addition to learning about the cards themselves, you’ll learn all about the customs surrounding Valentine’s Day celebrations in both America and Europe; card designs; and manufacturers, from the corporations such as Hallmark and American Greetings to the smaller, lesser-known manufacturers from decades past.

“Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine’s Day Cards” will surely find a special place in your heart – and on your shelf – for the wealth of knowledge and visuals it provides on such a beloved holiday.

Valentine Treasury

“Valentine Treasury: A Century of Valentine’s Day Cards”

By Robert Brenner

 

About the author

Bob Brenner, of Princeton, WI, is a leading authority on the traditions of Christmas and other holidays. He lectures and curates major holiday exhibits for the Smithsonian and other museums.

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal, and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 8 ½” x 11”, 565 color photographs, price guide, 262 pages, ISBN13: 9780764301957
binding: soft cover, price: $49.95

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com.

“Cabbage Patch Kids Collectibles” By Jan Lindenberger

January 2022

Books for Collectors

“Cabbage Patch Kids Collectibles”

By Corbin Crable

 

The birth of the Cabbage Patch Kids craze in 1983 changed the doll industry forever – and made a veritable mint for Coleco, the company that produced the dolls.

But, as author Jan Lindenberger points out in her book “Cabbage Patch Kids Collectibles,” there was far more to the brand than the dolls themselves. Much like other pop culture fads of the 1980s, the dolls gave rise to a multi-million-dollar merchandising market for the children who had “adopted” their very own Cabbage Patch Kid.

The year 1984 saw a huge influx of Cabbage Patch Kid collectibles into markets worldwide, with items such as sleepwear, books, and apparel contributing to the more than $2 billion in retail sales around the globe for the Cabbage Patch brand.
Collectors of Cabbage Patch Kid items will enjoy this treasure trove of items, which run the gamut from doll furniture, miniatures, games, jewelry, and even school supplies. These items are presented in hundreds of stunning color photos that will have you reminiscing about your own days as a Cabbage Patch Kid “parent.”

In addition to Lindenberger’s guide to collectibles, the author has published two additional books on the dolls, broken down by decade: “Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1980s” and “Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1990s.” Both volumes are available for purchase through the publisher’s website.

 

cabbage patch kids collectible book cover

About the author

Jan Lindenberger resides in Colorado Springs, CO, but she is originally from Erie, PA, where she first became a lover of antiques and, in 1972, an antique dealer. She has authored more than 30 books with Schiffer Publishing.

About the publisher

A family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality nonfiction books since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passion. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal, and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children.

Schiffer Publishing is located in Atglen, PA. Website: www.schifferbooks.com.

Size: 6” x 9”, 587 color photographs, price guide, 160 pages, ISBN13: 9780764308352
binding: soft cover, price: $16.95

Contact Corbin Crable at editor@discovervintage.com.