Book Review - Collecting Costume Jewelry 202

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Author Julia C. Carroll's "Collecting Costume Jewelry 202? follows her comprehensive first volume, Collecting Costume Jewelry 101

This identification and value guide covers the basics of dating jewelry from 1935-1980. It's full of hundreds of photographs and drawings, plus patent information and designer profiles.

Six methods for dating costume jewelry are explored in detail, with illustrations and examples, to help collectors answer the question, "How old is this piece?"

1. Dating jewelry from the maker's dates of operation and the maker's signature

Knowing when a manufacturer or designer produced their jewelry places the piece within a specific date range. A manufacturer and marks chart in an appendix at the back of the book provides dates of operation for most collectible costume jewelry.

The copyright symbol, ?, was used after 1955, when Trifari won a lawsuit against a company that had pirated one of Trifari's designs. After 1955 most manufacturers ceased their prior practice of patenting designs and instead began copyrighting them.

Jewelry makers sometimes changed the design of their signature, or used a completely new signature. For example, "KTF" is an early Trifari signature from 1935 to 1938, when it was discontinued - but in 1954 "KTF" was used again, this time with a crown over the "T". Variations in the signatures can be valuable tools for dating costume jewelry.

Sometimes makers added the year of manufacture or inventory numbers to their pieces. During World War II some makers used sterling silver since other metals were needed for the war effort. Pieces made between 1943 and 1948 are signed with the maker's mark and "sterling".

2. Dating jewelry using patent information

Utility patents were issued for the mechanics and practical aspects of jewelry. Design patents were used to protect the designer's creation of the piece of jewelry. Both contain detailed illustrations, and each type of patent is numbered and dated. The extensive appendix to the book has a Designers Chart that lists well-known jewelry makers and the designers who created jewelry for them. If you can find a patent number or date on your piece of jewelry, you may be able to date it using the chart.

3. Dating jewelry by reviewing vintage advertisements

Vintage advertisements are a wonderful way to date vintage costume jewelry, and it's fun to read through them. This book contains over 160 advertisements for dozens of makers, spanning the years 1943-1982. These beautifully illustrated ads not only show of the jewelry, but also show how it was worn. Vintage ads can be found in books, old magazines and catalogs, and can also be purchased individually on line. If you're lucky enough to find your jewelry in a vintage advertisement, you'll know for sure when it was made, or at least when it was sold. You can also look for pieces that are similar to or coordinate with yours.

4. Dating jewelry by the style or design of the piece

Less efficient than the first three methods, using the style or design to try to date jewelry is described in general guidelines. The use of rhinestones, the various types of metal or plastic are used, the type of hardware and construction, and the theme of the piece can sometimes be used to get an approximate age. There is a great deal of detail in this chapter, with lots of tips and illustrations.

5. Dating jewelry using books and the internet

If you haven't started a collection of books about vintage jewelry, you will no doubt start one very soon. There are hundreds of books out there, and an online search will bring up many tempting titles. The internet provides a virtually endless supply of information, and it's updated almost constantly. The author recommends that accuracy of information the internet be carefully checked for accuracy. Vintage ads can often be found for sale on the internet.

6. Dating jewelry by provenance

"Provenance" means the origin or source. Dating jewelry by provenance can be done by talking to people who actually bought and wore the jewelry back in the day.

Most of this book is taken up by detailed charts and illustrations of costume jewelry the most prolific makers - Coro, Boucher, Hattie Carnegie, Eisenberg, Hobe, Lisner, Weiss, and many many others. The manufacturer and Marks Chart show describe the many signatures found on vintage costume jewelry.

I'm Deena O'Daniel, an artist, writer and entrepreneur from Austin, Texas, by way of California.

Please visit my web site, http://www.oakhillboutique.com/ for a large array of costume jewelry, china, pottery, collectibles and gifts.

You can also become a fan of Oak Hill Boutique on Facebook and be the first to see what's new. For more articles about jewelry, please visit my blog at http://www.oakhilljewels.com/.

The Ultimate Cigar Book Review

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Are you thinking of joining the ever growing group of individuals who love to smoke fine cigars? Or, are you already an avid cigar smoker looking to learn more about the hobby you've grown to love? Whether you're new to the wonderful world of cigar smoking, or a seasoned professional, The Ultimate Cigar Book by Richard Hacker offers you a wealth of knowledge on cigars that any cigar smoker can appreciate.

In The Ultimate Cigar Book, Hacker researches and reviews all sorts of non-Havana cigars, by describing production outside of Cuba. If you're an American looking for a practical book on cigars, the non-Cuban approach Hacker uses is sure to prove useful. As all good American cigar smokers know, it's hard to come across a cuban cigar that isn't illegal to have. Real hard. In fact, it's impossible with U.S. laws.

Not only will you find numerous reviews of fine cigars from all over the world inside The Ultimate Cigar Book, but also Hacker doesn't shy away from including reviews of some of the cheaper, factory made cigars, such as the Phillies.

Along with reviews, Hacker will turn you into a cigar expert, teaching you how cigars are made and what to look for when choosing the right cigar for you or a friend. Although Hacker does make some ill-advised generalization about the makeup of a cigar, like stating that a lighter shade wrapper will indicate a milder tasting cigar, for the most part Hacker is dead on.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just a beginner, I suggest you check out The Ultimate Cigar Book. Before you start dumping money into this expensive hobby, you should definitely consult this book.

As one of the few cigar books out there, I give this book a 9/10 rating.

Darin is an avid smoker of fine cigars. To learn more about The Ultimate Cigar Book and read some user reviews, click here.

Reference Books Reviewed: Associated Press Stylebook

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When you write, you likely find yourself wrestling with questions. I certainly do, everything from the proper form of abbreviations to the placement of apostrophes. Ideally, you want to get past those questions quickly, so you can focus on the message, not the writing.

Among the tools that helps us answer questions quickly and consistently are stylebooks: those manuals that recommend certain styles or usage. They come in a number of flavors and you may wish to have all of them on hand. But, more importantly, select one and use its recommendations consistently.

This week we look at the Associated Press Stylebook, a useful and frequently-cited reference work for writers.

As the title suggests, it comes from the people at the Associated Press (AP) wireservice, and serves journalists and mass-media writers. By way contrast, the Chicago Manual of Style (to cite another important reference book) serves academics and others who write formally, as well as book writers, editors, and publishers.

The AP Stylebook emphasizes usage of commonly cited names, events, and language. For example, under the listing for assassin, it explains the proper use of three similar concepts: 'assassin,' 'killer,' and 'murderer' (in case you were wondering, the AP book defines an assassin as a politically motivated killer, a killer as anyone who kills with any motive, and a murderer as a killer who has been convicted in a court of law).

Since journalists must contend with the pressure of deadlines, this book is laid out like a dictionary, with the entries in alphabetical order. Each entry is brief and deals with issues that journalists would face in everyday writing.

Many entries provide a standard for capitalization, spelling, use of abbreviations, and other useful information. Rules for grammar can be found under headings such as 'Possessives'.

Incidentally, many other news organizations, in the U.S. and other countries, have their own style guides. In Canada, for example, there's the Canadian Press stylebook. So, if you're writing for a particular wire-service or news organization, check to see if they have their own style guide.

The Associated Press Stylebook comes in two flavors: 'The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law,' and 'The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Law.' The latter is as readily available as the former. Check your bookstore for details.

Robert F. Abbott offers three free chapters from his book, A Manager's Guide to Newsletters: Communicating for Results at http://www.managersguide.com/free-sample.html He also offers free subscriptions to Abbott?s Communication Letter, a free newsletter that helps you enhance your career through improved business communication, at http://www.abbottletter.com/

The Florida Handbook 2005-2006 (Book Review)

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There is so much to learn and to know about Florida that even the not-so-recent newcomers and residents of several years like me rejoice when they find "The Florida Handbook 2005-2006" in their hands. This book's 820 pages have been compiled by Allen Morris (now deceased) and Joan Perry Morris, both Florida historians and authors.

From the members of The Executive Branch of the State of Florida to noted residents and people who wrote or had anything to do with the history of Florida, all biographies and photographs are meticulously put together throughout the book. In addition, information on major state agencies and Florida's budget are offered in detail. I was surprised to read the clearly written main points of the Sunshine Amendment and the Sunshine Law.

For those who may be curious, Sunshine Amendment provides a right of access to governmental proceedings at both the state and local levels. It gives a constitutionally guaranteed right of access to residents and the Sunshine Law applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as the formal action taken by a board or commission. Almost all state and local public bodies are covered by the open meetings requirements with the exception of the judiciary and the state Legislature.

After the Executive Branch, the book continues with the Judicial System and the local governments of the state, followed by Artists Hall of Fame, Great Floridians, Symbols of the State, Florida forts, Native Americans, Early Florida Cemeteries, Floridians at War, Florida Counties, Florida Literature, Everglades, Exotic Plant and Animal Species, Climate and Weather, Sports in Florida, Florida Forests,State Parks, Citrus Production and Processing, Florida Mineral Industry, Fish and Wildlife, General Farming (Trucking, Crops, and Livestock), Public Education, Highways (Trails to Turnpikes), Notable Bridges, Scenic Drives, Size and Structure of Florida, People, Economy, Utilities, Motor Vehicle and all related services, Elections and a few lists and charts.

To the end of the book, Florida's Constitution with all its articles and amendments are added. The book has an index as well.

It was interesting to read that Florida became a state on February 11, 1845, and the county I live in--St. Lucie--was accepted as the 25th county on March 14, 1844. Then it was accepted again, after its creation for the second time, as the 46th county on May 25, 1905. Floridians, surely, have a special way of doing things.

Inside the book, all the noted individuals of the state are given detailed biographies with photographs. As a bonus, some wonderful old and new photographs decorate the book in black and white.

From a personal standpoint, my attention was directed to the section on Florida literature written by Helen Muir. The first known work written in Florida is "Fontaneda's Memoir" in fifteenth century. In this section, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Hemingway, Audubon, John Muir, Henry James, Stephen Crane, W.C. Bryant, J.F. Cooper, Harriett Beecher Stowe, Kirk Monroe, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, Zola Neale Hurston, Michael Shaara, Joy Williams, Laurence Shames and the writers and journalists who came after them and who have had anything to do with Florida are given their places. In 1994, Robert Frost Poetry Celebration was established, and The International Book Fair in downtown Miami is celebrating its 23rd opening in November 2006. As the writer says, "As Florida grows, so grows its literature."

I came across this book in a Borders bookstore. When I wanted to send it as a Christmas Gift to a friend from online, I couldn't find it in Amazon or in another online bookstore. The book as the 30th Biennial edition is published by Peninsular Publishing Company with ISBN 0976584603.

The Florida Handbook 2005-2006 can be a fine edition to any school, home, or public library because of its meticulously compiled information and priceless photographs.

Joy Cagil is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers. Her education is in linguistics. She is an avid reader.

FFL Kit - Review

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The F.F.L. kit has been put together by people that are F.F.L. holders to help you through the entire process of getting your license. They have put together a kit with everything you need in one place and they take you by the hand through the complicated process of applying for your license.

F.F.L. kit has all the instructions and help to walk you through the process of getting your application approved the first time . The kit also has E-mail support for those times that your stuck and need help. They also provide you with a wholesalers list, so that way you can buy guns at greatly reduced prices as soon as your application is approved. The F.F.L. kit offers a 60 day money back guarantee.

The only thing the F.F.L. kit will not do for you is fill out the forms and pay the A.T.F. fees for the license. There is no way to get around this. The fee for a dealers license is $200.00 and it is good for 3 years, the renewal fee for your license is only $90.00 for the next 3 years. You must have a location for conducting business or collecting Curios & relics. This is where you will have the guns shipped to and take position of them. The location can be your home.

I have been told bad stories about people that have applied for their F.F.L. license and only to have their application delayed or denied by making mistakes. Then I found the F.F.L. kit website that is run by actual F.F.L. holders which had all the forms, great support, and detailed instructions, my application was approved in just 24 days. I decided to write this article about this kit to help others decide about using them to get their own F.F.L.

The FFL kit can o just that, help you apply the right way the first time. You will find all the information and instructions to do everything right. Read more facts about the FFL kit at. http://newgundealers.blogspot.com/

The Perfect Book For SAT Or ACT Prep

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Grammar books have certainly changed since this reviewer last looked at one. Sramek has written the suitably titled The Great Grammar Book. What stands out about the book is its layout. With a workbook style she covers all the regular topics, but very well. Starting with the Diagnostic Test in the beginning she instructs and informs with trivia and fresh exercises testing the material taught.

The Diagnostic Test is not easy and does test the basic ability of the reader. However, it does provide immediate support in showing the correct answers. The subsequent chapters strengthen the weaknesses revealed with this test. Each chapter is divided in to a statement of the rules, examples of these rules and exercises to reinforce the rules. Finally, the review exercises and the "Final Chapter Review" test the reader on all the topics thoroughly.

Remarkably, Sramek has introduced examples and exercise sentences that are both new and interesting as they stand. "George Washington created the Purple Heart in 1792, making it the nation's oldest military decoration," reveals a trivia tidbit that keeps the attention of the reader (pg. 73 for the exercise. This is the corrected version for those interested). Under Parentheses, one of the examples is something this reviewer didn't know, another bit of trivia, "In 1898 (fourteen years before the Titanic tragedy) Morgan Robertson wrote the novel Futility, about the largest ship ever built hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic on a cold April night." This book is filled with interesting facts in Sramek's efforts to keep the subject lively and the reader interested in completing the lessons.

The chapters follow the standard topics, but she ends the book with the most practical chapter of all "Successful Writing Skills." Sramek condenses the whole book into a series of explanations and exercises utilizing the lessons taught in the first part to "practice, practice, practice." The particular instruction and exercises enhance what comes before while using practical applications to emphasize each section. This chapter is good for students and the obvious reason for the book. This chapter is also very good for refreshing skills using proper grammar for others outside of the education sphere.

This book is definitely well targeted by the marketing department of Avon Press. Students preparing for SATs and ACT will benefit greatly. However, another marketing arm could be pursued with the businesses world. All persons who communicate via the written word would do well to review this book and work through the exercises. This reviewer is recommending this as a practical guide for any one that writes on a regular basis.

Book received from publisher for review.

I Read the Encyclopedia - Have You?

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Not long ago, I was discussing the concept of knowledge with someone who had read the encyclopedia, something I myself had once done. Indeed, I also read an interesting book "Know it All" by A.J. Jacobs, it's fun to read you might want to read it, the author read the encyclopedia and then wrote about his adventure. Funny, since I read, or skimmed through and read the Encyclopedia Britannica, Dictionary and all the "Tell me Why Series" as a kid and teen.

Are you a know-it-all, if not apparently you could be, if you go and read the encyclopedia yourself. How long with this take? Well as a kid it took me 5-6 years, as I read a little at a time. But it's worth doing, and this experience assisted me in college, as I was able to read the text books prior to the class starting. Of course it really pissed off the teachers when I asked questions about things not yet covered in the class. Ha ha ha, I think I drove them nuts?

What benefits will you get if you read the encyclopedia, well you'll be able to have higher level conversations about history, civilizations and industry than you normally would. You will be able to grasp concepts faster too. It should make you a faster and better reader and it will help you in the formation of thoughts when you go to write something. The thing I like about it is that you can have fun telling people that you did it, but it might also give you away as a nerd? Ha ha ha. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.