Customer Reviews

Mid-Century Plastic Jewelry (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

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As a lifelong collector of mid-century plastic jewelry, I have found the literature on the subject to be amaturish and rather incomplete. No More! This excellent work by Ms Klein certainly will become the "bible" in this field and I feel will overshadow other works in print. The histories, methods of deteriming material, and care and repair as well as the splendid photography make this book a "must" for every collector and dealer.

This is a great new book on plastic jewelry. I especially enjoyed Chapters 1 and 2 because of the interesting background information on the production of costume jewelry and the tips on how to distinguish one type of plastic from another. Organized by color, the examples of plastic jewelry are beautifully photographed.

This book is packed with details of the evolution of plastic costume jewelry from its beginnings in the early 20th century to the present time. It also details manufacturers, early plastic mediums, styles, colors, and includes a price guide. One of the best features of the book is the hundreds of stunning color photographs of gorgeous colorful jewelry inside.

I like the way the book is organized. Part one examines how costume jewelry, particularly plastic jewelry, began and the manufacturing and distribution process. The focus is on the Rhode Island costume jewelry industry, which was the hub of 20th century growth. Parts two through four introduce the top manufacturers, Coro, Trifari, Lisner, Kramer, and others, with a focus on the colors and styles they generated. Then Part five discusses the care, condition, and repair of plastic jewelry.

I think this book should be a staple in any costume jewelry collectors' library. In my opinion it is an entertaining and valuable research guide.