Customer Reviews

Indian Trade Relics Identification & Values (Artifacts and Collectibles)

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

 

 

Many collectors of fur trade items had high hopes for this book that were dashed when we saw it. Unfortunately it has far too many fakes/reproductions to be of reliable use to most collectors. Even the cover page has a fake striker bag with the crimped tin cones commonly found on reproductions. While most of the items are authentic new collectors would be well advised not to rely on all the information presented. Of the 200 or so axes shown I saw at least 30 that were clearly not authentic or misidentified. The author was a very nice guy but rather too trusting of his collector 'friends' who salted the book. Hothem's main interest was in stone age materials so historical period items were not his speciality. The photography is mostly well done. He was planning on revising it (without the fakes included) when his untimely passing happened. Certainly there are some nice quality authentic items as well to look at, but when so many fakes are introduced to a book, the whole book becomes suspect. Its a shame really since it is the only published book on general trade items as such. Maybe someday we'll see another more authoritative book come on the market.

This is a great book if you collect artifacts and want to see what they are presently going for.