Collector's Encyclopedia Of Fiesta: Other Colored Dinnerware, Post86 Fiesta, Laughlin Art China (Hardcover)

by Bob Huxford (Author), Sharon Huxford (Author) "Here and on the following pages are examples of Fiesta with decals..." (more)
Key Phrases: bulb candlesticks, colored dinnerware lines, dancing girl logo, Homer Laughlin, Kitchen Kraft, Harvey Linn (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Bob & Sharon Huxford The authors of our popular Roseville Pottery and McCoy Pottery books are back with a new edition of their bestselling guide to Fiesta ware. This book showcases over 1,000 colorful pieces of Fiesta and features the colors and shapes of the 'post-86' line as well. There are more than 50 new photos, including some rare, never-before-seen pieces. The popular Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft lines are also featured. Kenilworth, a line which has not been included in previous editions, and striped Fiesta are both well documented this time, and the Art China section has been expanded and will include many wonderful new photos of this early line. The authors have also included experimental items from the Homer Laughlin morgue, as well as the historical information so many collectors crave. Finally, current values are addressed and changes have been made to better reflect today's market on both the vintage and post-86 lines.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books; 10 edition (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574324373
• ISBN-13: 978-1574324372
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #418,153 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #44 in

  Books > Home & Garden > Antiques & Collectibles > Kitchenware

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book, if you look past the errors..., April 1, 2000

By	Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Collectors Encyclopedia of Fiesta: Plus Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta) (Hardcover)

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.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best Fiesta book out there, but with glaring errors, December 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Collectors Encyclopedia of Fiesta: Plus Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta) (Hardcover)

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.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history and price guide for HLC China., June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Collectors Encyclopedia of Fiesta: Plus Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft (Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta) (Hardcover)

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.