Paperweights: The Collector's Guide to Selecting and Enjoying New and Antique Paperweights (Collectors Guide Series) [Paperback]

Pat Reilly (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Collectors new to the field of paperweights will find a wealth of information in this title on identifying 19th- and 20th-century paperweights. In discussing the various types, the author guides readers through paperweight styles, clearly defining terms like upset muslin, piedouche, lampwork, and marbries. He goes on to point out the striking differences between inexpensive "gift" paperweights-most of which come from China or Venice-and the finer, more costly, usually one-of-a-kind paperweights. Also included are some history of paperweights, a glossary, a list of manufacturers and paperweight societies, and advice on their presentation and preservation. Although there are plenty of other books on this popular subject, this one stands out because of its clarity, good color photographs, and affordable price. Recommended for specialized art libraries and all public libraries.
Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The fascination with glass-art-within-glass, as collector Reilly points out, is a relatively recent phenomenon--at least compared with other antiques. From its beginning in Poland in the 1830s, the craft of millefiori paperweights spread and took on colorful variations in such well-known French factories as Baccarat, Clichy, and St. Louis. Reilly prepares novices for their first collecting foray, explaining types as well as care and display. Color photographs bolster the text that sometimes drags. Those first venturing into this antique wonderland, compelled to do so by the publicity given to such collectors as the late Arthur Rubloff and such collections as that of the Corning Museum of Glass, will find it an interesting though expensive hobby. Barbara Jacobs --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Knickerbocker Press (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577150759
• ISBN-13: 978-1577150756
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,616,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, April 12, 2000

By 

Rex Lau (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paperweights: The Collector's Guide to Selecting and Enjoying New and Antique Paperweights (Collectors Guide Series) (Paperback)

Good book, simple, easy to read. Good reference for beginners.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book for the Collector, October 4, 2007

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paperweights: The Collector's Guide to Selecting and Enjoying New and Antique Paperweights (Collectors Guide Series) (Paperback)

This is a nice book for the collector, particularly one who is fairly new to the hobby. It covers most of the more popular makers of the 19th and 20th century. Paperweights have been on the go for a relatively short space of time, about 150 years give or take a year and initially started out to serve the purpose for which they were originally designed, a weight to hold down paper on a desk. A useful implement in the days of pen and paper.

Very soon after they started being produced they became more and more complex and attractive with each factory striving to outdo their rivals. There are few people who fail to be fascinated by a good paperweight, particularly the Millefiori type which comprise of small canes of glass of varying shapes and colours, sealed into what initially was a molten lump of glass.

The various forms of weights, millefiori as we have just mentioned, Sulphides, Lampwork and Dumps (the large green domes of glass that were often used as doorstops in their larger sizes), are all mentioned. Plus information on how to start collecting and differentiating between the different makers, not always easy, even for the expert.

One part of the book that did appeal to me in particular were the pages that showed the different cane designs for the different makers. This is an excellent aid to identifying paperweights that you are unsure of and I have used this method more than once myself.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning, July 14, 2010

By 

Pwt Nut - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paperweights: The Collector's Guide to Selecting and Enjoying New and Antique Paperweights (Collectors Guide Series) (Paperback)

The neophyte collector needs this well illustrated and helpful guide. Taking you from the origin of paper weights and introducing you to the modern artist. A must have!