Customer Reviews

Sailors' Valentines

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is extraordinarily beautiful ... absolutely gorgeous. It is a hardcover book in the shape of an octagon; each sailor's valentine consumes a full page (so that both sides of a hinged valentine face each other, as they would in the actual valentine), so you can really see how the valentine looks. It would make a unique and gorgeous coffee table book. It would also be indispensable if you want to learn to make your own sailors' valentines, since it provide general directions, a list of the shells traditionally used, and gorgeous color photos of an unbelievable number of actual sailors' valentines. A true work of art ... I love it!

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before opening John Fondas's fabulous book entitled "Sailors Valentines". To open the cloth covered box and discover the eight-sided book is like having a hands-on experience with true Victorian sailors' valentines. When laid flat you can see both sides of a hinged nine inch valentine just as it would appear in your hands.

The text describing the origin of these valentines, their particular shells, rarity and beauty is accurate and very interesting. Mr Fondas has presented us with a five star book of the highest integrity.

As a maker, collector, teacher, restorer and student of early mosaic valentines, I will cherish this volumn as a most important adjunct and validation of my own work.

All who have walked the beaches, picking up shells, and taking the few special specimens home to add beauty to a dresser or porch railing will find this work romantic, and inspirational.

I just gave this as a gift to my sister, who's thinking about designing and making a sailor's valentine. She's THRILLED! What a wonderful book for the collector, crafter, or antique fancier. Beautifully done. Fondas identifies many of the shells used in these examples. A breathtaking volume that's sure to become a collector's item in its own right.

John Fondas is the undisputed world's expert on Sailor's Valentines. As a collector for many years, his collection is acknolwleged as the best of its kind. What is more, his passion for shells and island living has taken John to the highest level as a designer and maker of shell jewellery and objects. Anyone who has not visited John in his shop in Bay Street (Nassau Bahamas), suitabley named GOLD, will have missed the essence of Island Living and the opportunity to meet a rare and cultured gentleman. It just doesn't get any better! This is a fabulous book which rightly takes its place on the shelf as a beautiful gift, a resource book and finally, a trubute to its author and the beauty of the natural world it so elegantly describes. Enjoy!

John Fondas seduces the reader with brilliant photographs of a long forgotten Victorian art form know today as Sailors' Valentines. A brief history of America's whaling heritage takes us back in time and rightfully credits Barbadians with designing these titillating mementos. With prices for antique sailors' valentines soaring, this may be the closest you'll ever get to owing the real thing. This octagonal book clearly shows us why a picture is worth at least 1,000 words and after poring over 95 pages, I clearly wanted more.

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before opening John Fondas's
presentation book entitled "Sailors' Valentines". To open the cloth covered box and discover the eight-sided book is like having a hands-on experience with true Victorian sailors' valentines.

When laid flat you can see both sides of a hinged nine inch valentine just as it would appear in your hands. The text describing the origin of these valentines, their particular shells, rarity and beauty, is accurate and very interesting. Mr. Fondas has presented us with a five star book of highest integrity.

As a maker, collector, teacher, restorer and student of early mosaic valentines, I will cherish this volumn as a most important adjunct to and validation of my own work

All who have walked the beaches picking up shells and taking the few special specimens home to add beauty to a dresser or porch railing will find this book romantic, inspirational, and beautiful. And, I suspect, grandma's attic will get another search. Perhaps with luck an eight-sided wooden box might be found. Enjoy.

Nancy S. Coffin

A beautiful addition to any collection of "coffee table" books. It's octagonal design, mimicking the shape of an acutal sailor's valentine, is remarkably handsome and effective.

A spectacular gift (I should know, that's how I came to it).

A very beautiful, high-quality book. I first saw it at a kaleidoscope show and after a look at a few of the pictures, you will understand why. The photos are exquisite and it all comes in a unique presentation box. Well worth the price.

This is a beautiful and different book. But, be warned if you are giving it as a gift to someone. The book comes wrapped in plastic and I did not flip through the book before giving it. There is a VERY inappropriate picture of "naked people up to something" in it. Fortunately the gift recipient thought it funny as opposed to being offended.

I was thrilled to finally receive my book The Sailors' Valentine. It's a unique book about an old art using shells. The sailors of a century and more ago created the Valentines for their sweethearts. The pictures are fantastic and the octagon shape of the book makes it a perfect table book. I could not find this out-of-print book anywhere but on Amazon.com. I received it in it's original sealed box: it was new listed in the used book section. Thanks, Amazon!