Customer Reviews

Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Excuse the enthusiasm, but Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles is an amazing book. It's accurate, informative and beautiful. And on top of that, it's a hoot. Filled with more than 1,000 full-color pictures of kitchen gadgets of all kinds, the book is part identification guide, part price guide and part stroll down memory lane. Covering Post World War II kitchen ware, the book includes hundreds of period magazine advertisements, helping to put the collectibles in context. Visually, it's brilliant. Some of the pictures are small but that's only because there are so many included. You don't have to be a collector to enjoy this book. But if you are, you'll find the book handier than an Ecko egg beater. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy.

I just recieved Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles and was quite disappointed to find out that it is exactly the same graphics and photographs as contained in the Warmans Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide, just in larger format. I saw they were by the same author, but didn't think they'd be exactly the same inside!

What a delightful slice of Americana. I'm interested in mid-century America especially suburban living and this book captures a little bit of this so well. Look through the pages and it's clear that the author (and publisher) have taken some editorial effort to produce an interesting book. I was particularly pleased to see that this is not the usual dull looking, badly designed collectors book, full of amateur snaps of objects sitting on a table with several presented on the page as square photos.

The thirty-eight chapters probably include every popular kitchen gadget available at the time (all nicely presented as cutouts though missing light grey shadow effect that really would have completed each image) but nicely there are included period magazine covers, ads, pages from manufactures brochures and other graphics. Another thing I liked about the book is the addition of the packaging the utensils came in showing the design and typography, predictably lacking in any graphic design but showing vibrant colors and in fact anything to catch the housewife's eye while on the store shelf.

An ideal book for collectors and because of the way it has been editorially produced it will have instant nostalgia appeal and interest anyone who wants to know how folks lived a few decades ago.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Another five-star rating! This book is beautiful and a joy to browse through. But it is much more than eye-candy. It has specific, detailed information about items, and I find it particularly helpful because it includes the names of manufacturers and product lines. (Believe it or not, I've actually found collectibles books that just show a photo with a generic description like "canister set." That's not sufficient information for a beginning or serious collector.) This book, however, fits the bill in every way -- specific information, gorgeous photography, interesting writing, and a thoroughly enjoyable walk down memory lane. If you are interested in kitchen collectibles, and particularly those of the 30s, 40s and 50s, then this book is a must-have. You'll be so glad you bought it.

What a great book. Loads of pix of the way things used to be. How many of these items do you remember in your grandma's kitchen? It was just what I wanted as far as seeing what is collectible these days. Values included in the book seem to be realistic. Will look for more like this from the author.

I have enjoyed this book very much. It is very informative. I own lots of kitchen collectibles, but was not sure of their use. Now I know. This book has covered a wide range of items and every page is bright and colourful. I'm sure others will enjoy this book as much as I do. It sure takes you back to the "Good Old Days". A great book to browse through and add to your collection.

This book is great. There are so many kitchen items featured that it is amazing. It has been really helpful for me.

I love this book, I have a tendency to collect kitchen gadgets, not on purpose, but just can't help it. This book helped me identify a few things I have that I didn't know what they were for. The only thing that isn't true (in my part of the country) are the prices for most of the items. But, prices are pretty fickle and right now nothing seems to be worth what it once was!

For those of you who were born in the '30's or '40's, this book will bring back memories of the items in your Mom's or Grandma's kitchen. Perhaps the items will remind you of a favorite recipe of those long ago times.