American Dinnerware Book Review

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American Dinnerware - A Collector's Guide, by Linda Nelson, is a must-have reference for any novice-to-intermediate collector of American pottery and glass dinnerware of the 20th century.

Whether your interest is Depression Glass, Fiesta, Rivera, Harlequin, Hall, Carnival, Bauer, Fire-King, American Limoges, Russell Wright, 1940s Jadite or McCoy - among others - there is something for everyone to learn about while adding to and enjoying their collections.

This personable e-Book starts with a guide to ID marks and backstamps of certain key dinnerware lines, but really kicks in with Nelson's advice for buyers at flea markets, thrift stores and antique malls. She provides invaluable information on what to look for when shopping, how to identify "hidden" repairs and blemishes on these fishing trips, and details exactly what to bring to make your collecting excursion a success.

A highly-useful section defines how to research and price your finds, through book, Internet and antique mall comparison. Her chapters on "What's It Worth" put the fun into dinnerware sleuthing. Her scrapbooking ideas - using vintage dinnerware ephemera - are also a fresh way to document, enjoy and display your collection.

Nelson demonstrates a lead test swab kit on her own pieces and finds one prized item in her kitchen to register as a potential hazard. She describes what to do if you find lead in your personal dinnerware collection and how to become knowledgable about limiting your own exposure to lead poisoning.

I found the chapter on how to use damaged pieces very interesting. Just this day I purchased a gorgeous old Fiesta mug for a song, due to a small chip on the rim. I might not want to drink my coffee from this mug, but it does make a lovely addition to my workdesk with my pens and antique letter openers. Nelson provides some more interesting craft and decorating ideas for using damaged pieces - even the VERY damaged items you can get for 25 cents at garage sales - that are worth the price of the book alone.

This 34-page, illustrated book is available online for $9.95 through Suite101 Publishing. You can read the Introduction and Table of Contents on the online ordering page here.

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Author's Bio

Linda Nelson has written about American Dinnerware for Suite101 since September 2000. With a journalism degree background, she writes about American dinnerware as an enthusiast who learned about pottery and glassware from reading, research on the Internet, and examining pieces in antique shops. She and her husband live in Dallas, Texas, with their spoiled-rotten rat terrier.

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