The Company Of Cats - 20 Contemporary Stories Of Family Cats

Book Description

“The Company of Cats is the perfect gift for anyone suffering from shredded sofa, hairball carpet, and eau de catbox potpourri. These stories are irresistible. Curl up and enjoy.”—Amy Tan

Anyone who has ever been in awe of, in love with, fascinated by, or frustrated with the fabulous feline will treasure this small, elegant, and illustrated volume of cat tales. Twenty writers, including Alice Adams, Roald Dahl, Amy Hempel, Doris Lessing, Phillip Lopate, and Bobbie Ann Mason, capture the endless charm of these proud and graceful creatures, while photographs by Tony Mendoza and an album of cartoons by Roz Chast provide visual delight. Every story expresses the unique relationship between humans and the cats who own them.

Customer Reviews:

A pointless and disgusting book!.......2006-07-14

If you are an actual cat lover, don't waste your time! Beginning with Michael Rosen's 19 page introduction, which was unnecessary and made no point, to the depressing short stories, which were so similar as to make me feel that they were all written by the same author, it was not worth it. All of the stories involved either a dysfunctional human relationship or a dysfunctional human living alone, and the cat or cats involved (all of them being cats who were left or let outside to roam) either disappearing or dying. The cats in every story were secondary or barely mentioned at all, plus the stories ended either on a very sad note or with nothing resolved. I actually did not read 5 or 6 of the stories, I was so disgusted by then that I couldn't bring myself to read any more.
The pictures and cartoons, while enjoyable, had nothing to do with the book itself, but I guess they fit the overall theme of the book, which was pointless.

Cat lovers beware!.......2006-02-06

I got this book from a friend, and judging from the cover, I thought it was a book of warm, fuzzy cat stories. As I read along, I started to question the stories. Some seemed to have "unresolved" endings. However, I soon learned that several of these stories have horrible endings! The story about the sea captain and his wife disturbed me greatly--the cat gets squished in a suitcase (and obviously, dies)! I could not read any further.

If you love cats, or any animals, I recommend you NOT buy or read this book. You will only be disturbed and upset.

Real(istic) stories..not chix soup for fanciers..........2003-10-12

Look at the roster of contributors: the best in the business of writing. NOT the best at making cute kitten posters for dorm rooms or trotting out platitudes about how "the cat OWNS me!" Look at the world: are cats happy? Some. Are cats neglected, are cats stray, are cats, like most things that come to us, all blessing and no burden? These are amazingly touching, troubling, and compassionate stories that require a little more than just a pat on the head or a pat answer. It's a smart anthology. And it's a $10 hardcover. What's to lose? So what if you don't agree with every author's story (stories aren't campaign promises). The idea is: we're in this complicated little life together, dogs and cats included. And they don't always get the easy, cushy life...just as people don't. I admire the candor of these authors. Almost 2 dozen who take the time and the trouble to think clearly about this companionship. And, finally, the book is uplifting. It's heartening. It's about increasing our appreciation of the frail beauty these animals, and our lives, possess. The book's profits help humane societies.

sick and demented.......2003-09-24

The other reviews are right...this book is not for anyone who likes animals. When I read the forward, I thought I was picking up on a negative tone about cats, but convinced myself to continue reading thinking no one who hated cats would actually put together a collection of stories about them. But he did. I only could stomach the first 5 stories or so...but each and every one of them was sick and demented...intentionally killing cats, abusing cats, neglecting cats. I could not continue reading this book.

Sick and Demented.......2003-09-22

This is NOT a book for cat lovers. As I read the forward by the editor Rosen, a clear disdain for cats came through. Thinking this was odd, but would not reflect the sentiment of the authors of the short stories, I continued reading. I read the first handful of stories and was forced to stop. Each and every story I read was worst than the last one....a woman who dates a man who is mean to her cats, a man who doesn't want or like cats gets one and then ignores it, a woman finds a kitten and returns it to owners she knows are abusive and neglectful, a man who starves his cat to death. After the one about the guy who starves his cat to death I had had enough of this book and debated stop reading it. But thinking a book marketed to cat lovers couldn't possibly continue on this vein, I read one more story...a man throws poisonous objects at his cat until the cat finally eats one and dies. At this point, only 1/3 of the way into this book, I stopped reading.
Michael Rosen's disdain for cats, which came through in his forward in a weak voice, came through loud and clear by his choice of stories to include in this book...it's sick and demented.

Book Description

Dana Johnson Dana Johnson, author of Matchbox Toys, 1947 to 2003, Fourth Edition, The Other Matchbox Toys, and Diecast Toys Scale Models, has produced a revised edition of his popular Toy Car Collector's Guide. Newly updated and expanded, this second edition provides an alphabetical listing by brand of nearly 1,000 brands of cast iron, tinplate, diecast, slush mold, plastic, white metal, and other toy cars from around the world and through automotive history. An estimated 50,000 models are represented, including brief company profiles of every brand. Over 1,300 color photographs serve to greatly enhance the exhaustive text of this all-inclusive book, undoubtedly the most comprehensive on the market.

Customer Reviews:

A non toy collector book.......2007-10-02

Do not spend your money on this and all Dana books.Unless you want to see a bunch of letters and photos of listed cars that are not a collector items.Majorette items do half of the book.If you are lookin for a book on die cast models cars,buy something by an english.

Almost but not quite..........2007-07-21

I've just seen this book at a local bookstore. I was pretty excited when I found it and started to browse. But then, I became a little disappointed! The author gives a few pages to companies like Corgi and Dinky, and far too many to Majorette. I would say that the Majorette part is almost one tenth of the book! Overall the photos are pretty good and there's some good information too.
I didn't buy it, but maybe I would later, and only if I find it at a very, VERY, low price!

Not what I was expecting........2006-01-29

The books has many companies listed and gives histories but gives a generic price range. I mainly purchased this book for 1:18 scale models and was sad to see that a roughly half of my collection is not even listed in the book.

not what i thought.......2004-06-26

This book has a review on almost every kind of toy car, but leaves out the prices of a lot of them. There is almost no selection for hot-wheels, but there is a lot of selection for matchbox. My problem is that I have cars with no model numbers, which makes this book useless. I was able to find ERTL and a few others I had though.

New Guide For Diecast, White Metal and Other Toy Car Fans.......2002-04-03

A great new, year 2002 softbound 336 page volume. There are more than 800 brands of cars included, from 1910 to 2000. An interesting history is provided, as well as current values and buying and selling tips. The book covers Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Corgi, Johnny Lightning,Tomica and more. There's detailed information about scale, evaluating models, and insights into buying and selling. Comprehensive guide for the collector.

Average customer rating:

terrific
Perfume Bottles
SOLID METAL TOY REPRESENTATION
A Stunning Collection of Handbags
Paris and Perfumes

Metal Toys (POCKET COLLECTIBLES)
Judith Miller
Manufacturer: DK ADULT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Classic Cars | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0756619211

Book Description

The perfect pocket guide to buying, valuing, and collecting, this new series by international antiques expert Judith Miller launches with Handbags, Metal Toys, Perfume Bottles, and Sixties Style. Each volume includes over 450 items, beautifully photographed-both iconic and novelty items.

Customer Reviews:

terrific.......2007-03-12

I love this book. I actually saw this in a shop at Logan Airport while waiting for my flight and decided to order it online as soon as I got back home. It's a terrific book if you are looking for inspiration when making your own handbags (I started making felted handbags recently) or if you just happen to like handbags.
Beautiful detailed photos, elegantly presented. Includes ratings by estimated value for collectors.

Perfume Bottles.......2007-01-09

A great book to have on hand as reference. Dimensions of the bottles would have been an advantage.

SOLID METAL TOY REPRESENTATION.......2006-09-12

OK...for some Un-Godly reason Amazon has all four of Judith Miller's Pocket collectible guides from DK books linked together. If you review one of the four, it shows up on all the other three. Very Strange...

Let me make it clear that this review is only for the Metal Toys Book only! Miller is the long-time collectibles and antiques expert and has assembled hundreds of classic tin, cast iron, and die-cast toys for this wonderful book. The book is sectioned by the three distinct types of metal toys I just mentioned beginning with sheet metal or tin toys. Each toy pictured is given a value range based on 1 to 5 stars with 1 star being a range of $10 - $200, and 5 stars being over $2000. Admittedly these are very broad ranges meant to reflect the condition of the item as well as the availability of the items original box and condition as well.

While it's certainly no where near comprehensive, the guide does provide a fair representation of the types, styles, and manufacturers of each of these types of toys and the names are certainly well known to collectors: Dinky, Marx, Cragston, Hubley, Corgi, Tootsie, Schuco, Britains, and Hot Wheels/Mattel. Included are some great early examples of German tin toys such as a fantastic double-decker bus made by Gunthermann that gets a five star value, as well as many great post-WWII toys produced in Japan as factories that formerly made weapons were now being used to make toys. Some other great in toys pictured are the Disney Dipsey car with Donald Duck as the driver made by Marx, and the Nautilus submarine from "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" made by Sutcliffe.

The die-cast section features many of the gorgeous Corgi licensed toys like the Beatles Yellow Submarine, Monkeemobile, James Bond cars, and the classic 1960's Batmobile. There are also numerous Hot Wheels "redlines" pictured but while the photography is top-notch, many of the redlines pictured are in very rough condition with lots of scratches and paint nicks. It would have been nice to see some better examples used for the pictures.

One small complaint is that the books is comprised almost entirely of various types of vehicles: cars, airplanes, buses, ships, trucks, wagons, tanks, etc...It was disappointing that things such as the great Japanese tin robots and space toys, and Marx military playsets were not included.

That minor complaint aside, I really enjoyed thumbing through the book and it is a useful tool in recognizing, and evaluation the price of metal toys. Now I just need Amazon to fix their end!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

A Stunning Collection of Handbags.......2006-03-31

"A survey has found that an American woman owns an average of six handbags." ~Judith Miller

Judith Miller has captured handbags in all their intricate beauty. Many of these bags exist in museums and it is very unlikely that we could observe them all in a lifetime. So, this book is invaluable in that regard. Like Judith Miller's book on perfume bottles, this book exceeds expectations.

The bags range in age from Pre-1890s to the 1970s and present day selections. Each chapter contains historical information, unique quotes and full-color pictures showing the most intricate details and evolution of the beloved handbag. Here we find the original mobile phone, a phone that is shaped as a bag that actually can be plugged in to make calls. One can only imagine those surprise long distance charges after a friend stops by for a visit.

Red velvet Turkish bags with gold embroidery and French beaded purses all live happily amongst pages displaying everything from beadwork to precious metals and leather. There are purses shaped like phones, flowers, accordions, boxes, baskets, wicker parasols, birdhouses, birds and adorable toy rabbits. If you have any interest in Vintage clothes, you may rather enjoy reading about the magazine clutch bag.

With over 400 designs to choose from, this is the ultimate handbag book, it could even fit in a handbag. You will be left with a feeling of: "I simply must have that bag on page ____." However, it is probably in a museum and one can only hope a designer finds this book and makes a modern replica. From the playful to the elegant, there is something to enjoy and many memorable handbags are featured in this wonderful book.

~The Rebecca Review

Paris and Perfumes.......2006-03-31

"There is nothing better than remembering specific moments, like the first time you kissed, through a fragrance. I love that feeling of nostalgia a fragrance can conjure." ~Tommy Hilfiger

It took a trip to Paris to make me aware of the exquisite qualities of rare perfume bottles. Since then I've enjoyed dreaming about a collection and this book satisfies my visual longings. This book has everything from Pre-20th Century to the Present day. Judith Miller has collected pictures of over 400 perfume bottles. The five-star rating system is helpful for collectors as it indicates value.

If you are new to collecting or "dreaming" then this book is an excellent starting point for discovery. As a child you may have remembered your mother brining home a silver vinaigrette shaped like a fish after her world travels or perhaps you discovered tiny bottles in a second-hand or vintage store.

Who has not at one time or another owned a Chanel Number 5 bottle? That is also included as are modern perfume bottles by Nina Ricci,. The L'Air du Temps perfume bottle with plastic doves is rated at one star, while the winged bottle has been given two stars.

The most fascinating perfume bottles seem to be from Pre-20th Century where we find tiny Ruby cased glass bottles with a glass perfume casket and even a key. There is a sense of mystery to locked perfume containers. Intricate details on the porcelain perfume bottles display hand-painted care. Enlarged photos also show fine detail. The Art Nouveau section is helpful in this regard. The writing on the bottles could not be seen without an enlarged version.

A few surprises included the teddy bear perfume bottles and the Steuben blue Aurene perfume bottles with oceanic colors and flower-shaped stoppers. There are perfume bottles that look like they are set up on a chess board, a stunning Roger et Gallet Green glass bottle with a silk box and decorative tassle, perfume bottles from Amsterdam shaped like a lute and even humor like the 1980s Head over Heals perfume bottle.

Throughout the pages there are many high interest items and I am left feeling most in love with the item on page 16. The ruby glass, tiny perfume bottle set and key has me completely intrigued.

~The Rebecca Review

**********************

Review for Metal Toys by Judith Miller (seems to be linked
to perfume review automatically....only way to post the review)

If you love to collect toys or want to remember some of the metal toys you played with as a child, this book contains pictures of over 400 collectible toys with star ratings. The prices for these toys range from $10 to $2,000 and beyond.

The collections are divided into main chapters:

Sheet Metal
Cast Iron
Corgi
Dinky
Hot Wheels
Other Diecast

This book does not only feature cars, there are boats, planes, buses, fire engines, cable cars, wind-up carts, penny toys, tractors, submarines and even cruise liners.

~The Rebecca Review

Collector's Guide to Lunchboxes: Metal, Vinyl, Plastic: Identification & Values

Average customer rating:

Excellent for lunch box enthusiasts
A Beautiful Book To Delight Lunchbox Collectors

Collector's Guide to Lunchboxes: Metal, Vinyl, Plastic: Identification & Values
Carole Bess White , and L. M. White
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Popular Culture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1574321943

Book Description

Metal, plastic, and vinyl lunchboxes, as well as many metal and plastic Thermoses are featured in more than 800 full color photographs. Lunchbox lovers will be delighted to see that many photos present both front and back views of the items, and manufacturer information is included. The authors have taken actual Internet sales into account when pricing items, as well as prices from shows and antique shops. 2001 values. AUTHORBIO: Carole White is the author of a four-volume series on Made in Japan Ceramics. She also wrote Collector's Guide to Lunchboxes and Glass Ceramic Baskets. AUTHORBIO: L.M. White is the husband of Carole Bess White, author of of a four-volume series on Made in Japan Ceramics. He co-authored Collector's Guide to Lunchboxes with her, doing most of the photography. REVIEW: This book highlights vinyl, plastic, and steel lunch kits, boxes, and thermoses of all shapes and sizes. Excellent color photographs of each container are shown, with year, information about the piece, current collector value, lunchbox artist, and rarity rating. A lunchbox bottle and thermos bottle timeline is provided, as well as brief facts on manufacturers.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for lunch box enthusiasts.......2001-01-23

This covers collectible metal, vinyl and plastic lunchboxes from all eras, including more modern issues, and includes identification and values with small but sharp color photos to aid in the process. Any enthusiast of lunch box collecting will view this as the 'Bible' of lunch box information, important as a desk reference.

A Beautiful Book To Delight Lunchbox Collectors.......2000-11-06

A brand new, year 2001 book that lunchbox collectors are sure to treasure. It contains 304 pages with more than 1000 very large, sharp, full color photos of every type of lunch box, from metal to vinyl to plastic. Everything is arranged alphabetically for easy location of items. Many of the photos include both the front and back of the lunchboxes to facilitate identification. Manufacturer data is also supplied. Prices appear to be realistic, and the authors have taken actual Internet sales into account when pricing the items. There is sufficient background information provided, of interest to seasoned collectors and the novice. Topics include a Timeline, Major Lunchbox Makers, Care and Cleaning, Artists, How Lunchboxes are Made, and Reproduction Lunchboxes. A glossary and bibiography add to the books usefulness. A very nice, useful reference work.

Collector's Guide to Tootsietoys: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Tootsietoys)

Average customer rating:

Collector's Guide to Tootsietoys: Identification & Values (Collectors Guide to Tootsietoys)
David E. Richter
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toymaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1574323989

Book Description

This expanded third edition on Tootsietoys surpasses all previous editions, showing examples of many toys never photographed or known to exist. Complete with many brand new chapters on wheel identification, Mexican 'tutsitoys,' private advertising semis, rare 1959 Chevrolet semis, and photographs of packaged toys and boxed sets, the book is a must have for any collector. It includes almost 850 color photographs of Tootsietoys made between 1910 and 1979. It's an impressive value guide to be enjoyed by hobbyists, collectors, antique dealers, and car buffs everywhere, dedicated to America's first diecast toys. 2004 values. REVIEW: This book is presented in a handy format for collectors to log their finds. Presented in a checklist-type format, the book showcases more than 2,300 Precious Moments company figurines, accompanied by descriptions, collector values according to mark/understamp, dates of issue, and item numbers.

Collector's Guide to Tootsie Toys: Identification and Values

Average customer rating:

A Toootsietoy Collectors Must-Have Volume !!

Collector's Guide to Tootsie Toys: Identification and Values
David E. Richter , and Davide. Richter
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Toys | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Models | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Classic Cars | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Industry | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0891456767

Customer Reviews:

A Toootsietoy Collectors Must-Have Volume !!.......2001-12-15

This is a delightful book for Tootsietoy enthusiasts. It features 272 pages, filled with over 700 very large, sharp, full color photos. Values are provided, but when prices are consulted, readers should consider that this 2nd edition was published in 1996. There's a brief introduction and history. Major chapters include: aircraft and spaceships, autos and racers, buses, dozers, GM, Grahams, military, prepacks, ships, trailers, trains, trucks, 1970's, packaged toys and boxed sets, and more. The photos are a delight to view. Nice volume.

Average customer rating:

The Price Guide to Metal Toys
Gordon Gardiner , and Alistair Morris
Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Jewelry | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Precious Metals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0902028928

Toys & Prices #2 (Cars, Trucks, Planes and More!, Volume 1)

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Toys & Prices #2 (Cars, Trucks, Planes and More!, Volume 1)

Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Toy Shop's guide to values for collectible toys. Volume 1, issue #2. February 1993. Includes articles on Metal cars, trucks, planes, Marx action figures, character tins, arcade, smith-miller, hubley, auburn, wyandotte, prices, photos and much more!

Average customer rating:

Price Guide to Tonka Trucks, 1947-1963
Don DeSalle
Manufacturer: L-W Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0895380862

Product Description

Full color photos of collectible Tonka Trucks from 1947-1963, plus history and identification. Includes cabover, box vans, dump trucks, fire trucks, Hi-Way, Metro vans, pickup trucks, semi trucks, stake rack trucks, tanker trucks, utility, wreckers & plus accessories, logos, and more.

Wyandotte Toys are good and safe: A history, reference, and price range guide to All Metal Products Company, Wyandotte Toys, 1920-1957

Average customer rating:

Wyandotte Toys are good and safe: A history, reference, and price range guide to All Metal Products Company, Wyandotte Toys, 1920-1957
Kurt Guild
Manufacturer: Wyandotte Toys Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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