From hand-forged axes of the Viking conquests to the American homesteader’s felling axe, this is a tool that has shaped human history like few others. American Axe pays tribute to this iconic instrument of settlement and industry, with rich history, stunning photography, and profiles of the most collectible vintage axes such as The Woodslasher, Keen Cutter, and True Temper Perfect. Combining his experiences as a forester, axe collector, and former competitive lumberjack, author Brett McLeod conveys the allure of this deceptively simple woodcutting implement and celebrates the resurging interest in its story and use.

Jo Cunningham Jo Cunningham is back with an all-new, revised edition of her bestselling Collector's Encyclopedia of American Dinnerware. In this collector's encyclopedia, hundreds of pieces of American dinnerware are illustrated with both color photos and black and white original catalog pages and advertisements. Included are backstamps, advertising, company information, and values for every piece. There is also a fascinating section on how dinnerware is made and a brief history of the American pottery industry. There is expanded coverage of some company histories. Some of the manufacturers represented include Bennington, California Potteries, Haeger, Hall, Hull, Pfaltzgraff, Purinton, Red Wing, Shawnee, Stangl, Steubenville, Homer Laughlin, Limoges, Paden City Pottery, Jackson China, and many more.

My essays and escapades span over thirty years of rare book hunting--an exciting journey that is ongoing. Many of my friends are rare book people, and much of my free time revolves around bookish pursuits. I can't recall a day without thinking about a book and seldom without handling one. I write regularly on my blog about rare books I've found and their history. Recently, my wife and I began plans to expand our library space by converting the attic above the garage, so it seems inevitable that the book you hold in your hand would come to fruition. If you're already a rare book hunter no further prelude is needed. If you have found this book through curiosity or happenstance, and it creates a spark within, I strongly encourage you to follow your own book hunting path. The rewards are great and the space concerns never-ending. Kurt Zimmerman is a highly regarded book collector and author. He has been collecting for over thirty years in two areas: association items related to book collecting history (currently 7,000+ items) and first editions of Latin American literature (over 2,000 items). He received his Master's in Library and Information Science degree from UT-Austin while completing a three year internship at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. There he learned bibliography and rare books from the best in the field. He worked in the rare book trade and as director of the rare books & maps department at Butterfield & Butterfield auction house (now Bonham's) in San Francisco. Zimmerman is a co-founder of the Book Hunters Club of Houston. His established is popular blog bookcollectinghistory.com in 2011. The author can be reached directly at [email protected].

Next to Christmas, more money is spent on Halloween decorations and novelties than on any other holiday. This wonderful book has been credited with inspiring the Halloween collecting craze, giving its devotees a chance to celebrate the holiday all year round! In addition to color photography and a brand new price guide, there are also many fascinating insights into Halloween. Most people are familiar with the symbolsghosts, Jack-O'-Lanterns, witches, bats, skeletons, and black catsbut few know about Halloween's past. Why does it exist? What is the origin of trick-or-treating? Why does it fall on October 31st? Through these pages you will experience Halloween celebrations of the past and take a look at Halloween today. For collectors, this is one of the largest collections of Halloween memorabilia.