Kaleidoscope Artistry [Hardcover]

Cozy Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

Over 300 colour photographs of fabulous kaleidoscopes, with profiles of dozens of the world's top scope artists and designers.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A perennial favorite among optical toys for almost 200 years, the kaleidoscope has recently entered the realm of therapeutic stress reducers. Baker, the author of several books on kaleidoscopes, discusses this aspect of kaleidoscope viewing along with her survey of the work of contemporary kaleidoscope artists. Short biographical sketches and photographs of each artist's work provide a fascinating view of a wonderful variety of shapes and themes that go far beyond the familiar rotating tube with glass chips. There are no instructions for making kaleidoscopes, such as those found in Thomas Boswell's The Kaleidoscope Book, but this is an appealing and unusual selection for art and collectibles collections.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Cozy Baker is the "First Lady of Kaleidoscopes," A world renowned authority, she has written 6 books on the subject.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing; First Edition edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571201351
• ISBN-13: 978-1571201355
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mis-informed buyers, April 4, 2002

By 

Robert J. VanHorne (Omaha, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaleidoscope Artistry (Hardcover)

I see people are being mis-informed again. If this was a true presentation on the current producing kaleidoscope artists, as others have mentioned, it is very incomplete. Some of the artists and kaleidoscopes presented are "adapted" ideas of other artists that were left out of this book. To modify someone else's design only gives more importance to the original creator. Even the front cover shows a kaleidoscope that was "inspired" by a kaleidoscope artist's masterpiece that was NOT included in the book. There are more examples inside. Please do a little research and just don't take a reviewer's word. Yes, the images and pictures are nicely done.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Kaleidoscope book presently in Print!, June 30, 2002

By 

Robert (Memphis, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaleidoscope Artistry (Hardcover)

Leaving politics aside, this book is a lushly illustrated book on contemporary Kaleidoscopes and Kaleidoscope Artists. The illustrations are rich and aewsome, and are of both the outside and inside images of many kaleidoscopes. I'm not aware of a better book in print for kaleidoscope enthusiasts and all interested in the art of Kaleidoscope making.
To be complete, combine this book in your library with other of Ms. Baker's books--especially Kaleidoscope Renaissance. Kaleidoscope Artistry primarily concentrates on more recent works by many scope makers, and blends well with the older scope info from her previous book.
Now, to address some complaints by other reviewers: This book is not, and does not try to be, an all inclusive encyclopedia of all active scope makers. Nor is it a philanthropic work of charity. Of course Ms Baker plans on making money from this book--just like John Grisham and Danielle Steele. Ms. Baker heads the Brewster Society, her private business. Like it or not, this society is the closest thing scopemakers have to a guild for their art. You may not agree with the society, but as of yet, there is not another organization which represents artists and enthusiasts alike. If Ms. Baker's distractors dislike the society so much, perhaps they should form their own group and write their own book.
It is unfortunate that such issues creep into these reviews. This is indeed a wonderful book that will grace anybody's library!

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed., April 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kaleidoscope Artistry (Hardcover)

I had hoped to learn more about kaleidoscopes. It has great pictures. I just started collecting kaleidoscopes about three years ago. Even a novice, who loves to do research, finds this book lacking. I see that many don't believe it is missing some great artists and scopes, so I recommend great starting points: 1. the author's previous books, 2. [another website]. I do recommend that you look at Boswell's book and if you can get it, Gary Newlin's books. They don't seem to be "putting in plugs" for specific groups and artists, but just want to share information. This book does have some very good pictures and some good comments, but you know who the author loves and not who really should be included.