Collectors Encyclopedia of Fiesta: Plus Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft [Hardcover]

Bob Huxford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Collector's Encyclopedia of Fiesta | Publication Date: March 1998

Introduced in 1936 by the Homer Laughlin China Company, the colorful Fiesta dinnerware was redesigned in 1969, withdrawn in 1973, and reissued in 1986 in different colors. Heavily revised and updated with new finds, this new edition of an invaluable tool for collectors and dealers. Includes over 1,000 photos, many in full color, that will aid in identification .

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book includes many new photos and new information that has become available since the previous edition. The group photos that show an individual piece in every color in which it was made are especially appealing. Also included are many of the other products made by HLC, including the Mexican decaled lines, contemporary Post86 Fiesta and Laughlin Art China. -Old Stuff, October/November, 2005 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

After writing their first book, The Story of Fiesta, published in 1974, the Huxfords became pottery editors for Collector Books and in that capacity wrote several other books on various Ohio potteries: Roseville Pottery, McCoy Pottery, Brush-McCoy Pottery, Weller Pottery, and Roseville Pottery, Volume II. Since 1982 they have been editors of Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide; Schroeder's Collectible Toys; Antique to Modern; Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual; and Wanted to Buy. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Collector Books; 8 edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574320432
• ISBN-13: 978-1574320435
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Kitchenware
  • #47 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Pottery & Ceramics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 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
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collectors Encyclopedia of Fiesta: Plus Harlequin, Riviera, and Kitchen Kraft (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.

24 of 25 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 (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.

24 of 25 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 (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.