Customer Reviews

Collector's Encyclopedia of Bauer Pottery - Identification & Values

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3 star:		(2)
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I started collecting Bauer Ringwear by accident with a totally random visit to a wonderful shop on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles called Buddy's Art Pottery. Whenever I visited Hollywood, I knew that Buddy would help me choose that single, special, almost-affordable piece of Ringwear and spend lots of his time sharing his knowledge, as if I were a major purchaser. Buddy has, sadly, passed away and his shop is a thing of the past. Living in New York as I do, Bauer is not a common collectible. In fact, most antique dealers do not even know the name and try to steer me to their collection of Fiestaware.

I am today a more informed buyer and that is mainly due to the writings of Jack Chipman. This Encyclopedia, specifically, has so many gorgeous photographs and such a thorough history of Bauer and its place in California pottery that I feel it is invaluable.

It is obviously impossible for any writer/collector to price correctly since there are publishing deadlines that must be met and prices, as we all know, change on a daily basis from place to place. But Chipman's price guide is a great "jumping off place." As I cruise Ebay looking for a Bauer bargain, I often think of Buddy and I always consult Chipman. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

We collectors all need to realize that price guides are just that, GUIDES! No one is ever totally happy with the values in books; either too high or too low, kinda just depends on if you are selling or buying. I feel that the prices are on the low side in Jack's book, but I would prefer that over him quoting the higher California area pricing; keep it real for the rest of us across the country. Even if you disregard the value guide aspect, this book is the most complete,informative book you can find if you like Bauer. The color photos are superb and the history is the best info I have found in print. Thank you Jack for putting up with the critics; just remember there are more fans that appreciate the work you have done for us.

Try as I might with my digital camera, I can't get the photos of MY Bauer vases to come out as well as the photos in this book! I was especially pleased with the attention paid to Fred Johnson's work, since there seems to be a lot of growth in this segment of the Bauer market lately. The reproductions of catalogues in the back of the book are especially helpful. Thank you Jack for another great book on Bauer pottery.

We have been waiting a long time for this book. It is very good, but could have been much better. The photographs are super. I agree with the earlier reviewer who noted that the price guide is off base. The rare pieces are especially under priced. Ex. the black ring goblet is priced at $187.50 (or close to that. My book is at home and I'm in the office). With book in hand, I tried to purchase one in Pasadena for something in that range. The best the dealer would do was $360. That will probably be typical of most of the rare pieces. Prices for common pieces are closer to reality. More discussion on relative rarety would have been helpful. Also, some discussion on ring bowls that do not have inside rings. I'm having a difficult time sorting out what is Bauer and what is something else (Garden City for example). Bottom line though, I like the book.

Well worth the cost for informational value, but just try to purchase dinnerware at the prices indicated. As a current collector, the author takes advantage of the lack of any competing published price guides to convince uninformed sellers that their Bauer pieces are only worth a fraction of what knowledgeable collectors will pay. Easily double prices for rare dinnerware pieces and colors.

I really enjoyed the great photography and certainly the history of Bauer Pottery , however, from my buying view, the prices quoted and taking in all of the considerations Mr. Chipman states, the quotes are way out of line. I live in the SF Bay Area, and the prices for mint and excellant are much much higher. For the beginning collector this indeed casts a shadow of credibility on the seller. Also, if Mrs.Smith, whose Grandmother left a cabinet full or basement boxes filled with Bauer..An explotive opportunistic situation for the dealer. The potential dealer who knows what he or she has happened upon and essentially gives book price.. Needless to say, when Mrs. Smith sees her dishes displayed the following week at a in that same dealer's store, now for a Prince's ransom, is shocked... I think the book was certainly on the side of professional sellers. Not the side of the owner. And the dealer seldom passes his windfall onto the "new" buyer. Buy low..sell high.Where have I heard this before ?

I have to agree about the pricing. Rarely will you find rare Ringware pieces at the prices that he is quoting (even as an estimate). But in 2000, prices have changed a lot since the book was published. Also, many non-rare items are either not pictured or not priced (i.e. HIFIRE mixing bowls, Ring low shakers). On the positive, the pictures for the most part are great and you see things that you might not see in an ordinary antique mall or maybe even EBAY!

Great photo shots of the various Bauer products. Highly useful to a novice collector interested in the history and examples of Bauer pottery. Enjoyable as a good read as well as a great guide for collecting.

This book is wonderful. I found everything I needed to know. Jack Chipman has done a great job - the text is clear and informative and the photos are especially good as they clearly show the important details . This will have a special spot in my book shelf....

I am a long time Bauer Pottery collector, (about 25 years) This is the book I have been looking for. It has the best and most complete identification and value guides with lots of great photos. Jack Chipman has done a great job!