Customer Reviews

Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must agree with several of the reviewers below. This is the book you hate to love. On the one hand, it has an exhaustive amount of information on the various Fiesta pieces available. On the other hand, the whole mixup with regards to the medium green color is a real problem (plate #52 on page 43 was incorrectly captioned.) However the information provided makes up for this problem, no question.

The book covers a history of the pottery, including the famous "radioactive red", it shows the four most common backstamps, it describes ways to definitively identify Fiesta (as opposed to some look-alikes), and gives explanations of the dating codes and the various measurements.

As well, the book is chock-full of good photos the various pieces in all their colorful glory. I especially like the section on the Harlequin line, as it seems to be rising in collectibility. The only other quibble I have is with the prices shown, but that's a problem with every reference book out there these days, as the online auctions have thrown everything for a loop. So if you're looking for a good, general reference on Fiesta, this is the one to get.

It's definitely the best Fiesta book out there, but their attention to detail diminishes their product. There are at least two mislabeled captions. I don't know enough to detect others. The one glaring one is a page that shows the often-confusing range of green colors (chartreuse, medium green, light green and forest green.) Unfortunately, they MISLABELED this! This error further confuses collectors who are trying to identify the rare medium green Fiesta. This is an inexcusable error. What really bothered me as well is that in their price guide, they include older versions of this book! They proclaim that the book itself has become very collectable. I don't know about that, but I found it unprofessional. As the best book out there, you have to get this if you want a Fiesta book, but they should be more careful with editing. The caption errors are inexcusable. By the way, I find that most books by Collector Books suffer from this poor quality control.

This is the definitive guide to HLC China and related ephermera. The major focus is on Fiesta, but most, if not all, identified lines of dinnerware are listed and discussed to some extent. In addition to the lenghthy section on Fiesta, the sections on Harlequin, Century/Riviera, and decorated Mexican lines are especially informative as is the section discussing HLC's contribution to the 1939 NYC World Exposition. I hope that the Huxfords are researching the lines not so fully discussed so that future updates become more comprehensive. The authors' writing style is folksy,occasionally silly, and quite accurate other than a half-a-handful of errors in labelling the illustrations, which are marvelously colorful except for a few dark examples which should be redone for the 9th edition (which I am eagerly awaiting). While the listed values provide a general guideline to pricing, I would say that many, perhaps most, items are underpriced - at least compared to the prices that I have encountered in TX, WV, MD, and LA. Overall, the book is informative, well- written, beautifully illustrated, and worth the read for HLC dinnerware collectors, admirers, and the like.

As a new collector, I found this book invaluable as well as extremely interesting!! I would like to clear up one thing though for future readers of the Amazon review section on this book. MY review refers to the NINTH Edition. . .several reviews before mine, though listed under the NINTH Edition are actually referring to the EIGHTH Edition especially in reference to the mix up and mislabeling of the ever confusing "greens". In the NINTH Edition, on page 36 Plate #64. . the authors CLARIFY the error that appeared in the EIGHTH edition and using the same photo, have now labeled it correctly.

I also agree with some of the previous reviewers that perhaps in the TENTH edition (if there is to be one) the authors could spend a little more time and detail on identifying unmarked pieces. Otherwise, I found this book facsinating!!

This has been a great reference book for years, but hasn't been getting better, instead getting filled with more and more errors. The new 'Fiesta, Harlequin, and Kitchen Kraft Dinnerwares: The Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association' book has more detailed and better pictures than any other book. I'd buy them both, but use this one the least.

This is the most complete collection of Fiesta, Harlequin, Rivera, etc. around. The guide even includes a section on the "new" Fiesta. Overall, it is well written with a comprehensive and easy to follow price guide. The pricing guide also serves as an easy to use index. The pictures are top quality, although I wanted more of them. The picture of the medium green collection, left me forest green with envy.

I would have liked more information about ways to verify unmarked pieces. And, I would have liked to have seen more physical dimensions included. But, most bothersome is the error in labeling the Fiesta greens, which is sure to contribute to the general confusion about medium green.

All-in-all, this book is a really good effort and is an essential tool for any serious collector. It may not be perfect, but it's, by far, the best we've got. Can't wait for the 9th edition.

The title of this book "Fiesta" can be a little misleading to the novice or seasoned collector. Beyond actual Fiesta and Fiestaware by Homer Laughlin the author's detail company history by delving into Harhequin, Riviera, Mexican lines, Kitchen Kraft, even promotional items and advertising.

For Fiesta identification pieces the pictures and Plate descriptions are very good. Pictures, specifically are very clear and concise while the page quality is excellent. In particular, this book will provide a very wide range of history and the wide variety of products offered by Homer Laughlin Co. over many years. Although the title suggests a book on Fiesta, this portion is limited.

If your looking for price comparisons or rule of thumb the book is weak in this department, it does not effectively handle all colors preferring to provide information strictly on the "hot" collector pieces such as 'medium green.' Of course, prices quoted in books are strictly "guides" as the internet, antique malls and live auctions mix up values on a weekly basis. Current research and personal perspective will be the true guides for market value at any given time.

Fiesta is covered in the first 73 pages of this book (pre/post 1986) and then moves on other topics or products produced. This book would be a fine starter for the novice but additional resources will need to be added for a complete library on Fiesta and Fiestaware.

The Huxford's book is still the best Fiestaware reference book on the market.

There are some new pictures that are really great, especially the one of the four shades of green which presents the colors much more accurately. It's too bad that the colors are mislabeled!

This edition also has some new/rare items listed.

So many dealers use this book for pricing pieces and with ECKware's Fiesta software referencing it too, it is a must have and well worth the money.

Eager I went to my local borders today to pick up this great book right away. Paying full price nonetheless.
When I got home and read this book I was more than disappointed.
The pricelists are somewhat easy to use, however can get quiet confusing for a greenhorn of the OOOOOLLLLDDD Fiesta. There is a complete lack of Post86 Fiesta pricing. I feel this is very important for the collector with a light wallet. The authors' excuse is that it is near retail price.
I thought to myself, if this is supposed to be the bible of Fiesta why isn't this in here? Instead I have to hunt all over the internet to find pricelists.
It is filled with pictures of abnormal, fake and super rare items however. I enjoy the fact that this was valued important enough but personally do not agree that entire pages have to be dedicated to items that are limited to one piece only or so expensive that they are not affordable for the most part.
I think, the author should have used the pages for some Post86 information.
While speaking of waste of paper. When you reach page 16 you will suddenly skip to p49 thru 64 to then land back on page 33. then you will find pages 49-64 duplicated once more in the book in their right place. If you start looking for pages 17-32 stop looking they are simply not in the book (maybe the missing information on post86?) After 37 Typos/Spelling Errors I stopped counting. The pictures are not always with the corresponding article forcing you to jump around all over the book possible loosing your train of thought. Buy if it's a bargain but I would not pay more than $...for this book.

This is the Fiesta Bible... well done, a ton of information, good dependable price guide. Most Authors would have split this into two volumes and "padded" it. A great value!
Loved the new "Medium Green" Cover... it should stop some arguements with inexperienced Fiesta dealers over what is and what isn't Medium Green.
If you collect Fiesta, or if the edition you are using is the 7th or before, you should definately get this edition.