Customer Reviews

Treasures in Your Attic: An entertaining, informative, down-to-earth guide to a wide range of collectibles and antiques from the hosts of the popular PBS show

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

 

 

If you are at all interested in "collectibles" or antiques, "Treasures In Your Attic" by Joe L. Rosson and Helaine Fendelman will be a treasure in your bookcase. After you have been bitten by the bug and scoured your house and/or that of your parents for treasures, "Treasures" will be remembered or frequently referred to on the way to or from Antique Stores, Garage and Estate Sales and Flea Markets. Unlike Mr. Jussell who wrote the book's Foreword, I can't comment on its usefulness to "seasoned antique collectors" because I am a novice who became fascinated by collectibles from watching antique discussion and appraisal shows on television. I can, however, recommend this book to both the beginner and to the individual whose interest and curiosity eclipses his knowledge. This very entertaining, informative, and easily read book is organized in three parts: "The Basics" (things you should know about your hobby), "The Treasure Hunt" (a discussion of collectibles that you may find in each room of your house or on display at "sales" and how to recognize them) and "Professional Advice." The Basics Section is just that - what you must know to communicate and understand communications about your addiction. Professional Advice is a distillation of knowledge learned by the authors in the school of hard knocks and includes an indispensable discussion of how to buy and how to sell treasures over the Internet. If Rosson and Fendelman had included a chapter on references useful for research and authentication, the book would be awarded "5stars"; and the authors a General Electric D-20 toaster. As is the book deserves the 5 stars and perhaps the toaster will be awarded for the next book.

"Treasures in Your Attic" is a great read for the novice collector and expert alike. It's worth every penny just for the well-written, easily understandable section of important terms. As the authors point out, knowledge is power and knowing the lingo can save you money. Inspired by the book, I was looking around in my mother's basement just the other day and found an old piece of T. Anthony luggage. Unfortunately it was rather beaten up, and as Rosson and Fendelman informed me on page 282, such pieces are only good if "they have not been sideswiped by a bus and have not spent the last forty years rotting in a damp basement." Too bad for me. Humor pervades the vast amount of practical knowledge in this book, making it really fun to read. It's a reference that belongs on the shelf of anyone who hopes to make a deal or a profit on an unexpected find--or who simply wants to keep the treasures to himself. P.S. I tossed the suitcase.

If you never know what to bid on at all of these great estate auctions, then this is the book for you. Having just started going to auctions this summer, I have been amazed at some of the prices items are bringing. That's because I didn't know what they were. Joe and Helaine's book will let you know what to look for at these auctions and they will also give you tips on knowing what is selling right now. I read the book with great fascination knowing that I had old post cards my grandmother collected...marbles that appear to be homemade...some glass bought in Murano, Italy some 35 years ago and more. I think we all like to think we have something of value just waiting to be found. This book will help you know what you have and then how to market it. I highly recommend this book for the novice collector or for the new auction attendee. It will get you started on the right foot and hopefully you too will have "Treasures in Your Attic" even though Helaine and Joe say..it's the worst place to store valuable items." See you've learned something too. As a Program Manager for a PBS station, I am anxious to air and view their new series...coming to a TV set near you at the end of June.

I love the way this book is arranged. It takes you through your house in a logical fashion. Finally a book for the average person . It is for those of us with things tucked away for years and and years and no idea if they could be valuable. This book should save a lot of people like me from making an expensive mistake.I was so surprized at the things that are valuable. I didn't have a rare piece of art but I do have many everyday items that belonged to my grandparents . they proved to have a lot more than sentimental value. I consider this book a good investment. JSM

Imagine my surprise when, while reading "Treasures," I discovered that the green glass bowl handed down from my grandmother to me was a piece of "Aurene" from the Steuben Glass Works. And the author's "tip" explained why it was not signed. "Treasures" is an easy to read, well organized book for beginner and experienced collectors alike. It starts with a look at how the antiques and collectible markets work to value an item. It continues with an interesting glossery of words and phrases associated with pottery, glass, silver, furniture, textiles, paper and more. "Treasures" then guides you from room to room teaching you to how recognize often overlooked treasures found in many homes -- and how to put a value on them. Many of the objects are accompanied by simple black and white drawings. I found "Treasures" to be an entertaining and educational guidebook.

The organizational device of room-by-room discussions of potential valuables and collectibles is a brilliant touch which makes it easy to get both specific information and develop a sense of what might be worth additional investigation. Too often, books claim to be "entertaining" and "easy to read" when they are not. This one is both. It is also extremely useful. A keeper.

Good walk through of what you might find in your parents home that is valuable. I won't just repeat what others have said about this book. I would have put the dictionary style entries in the first section of the book as an appendix. Just jump ahead to section two and the book is more interesting. I didn't appreciate the third section on buying and selling. The authors told war stories about antique dealers and auctioneers that, while entertaining, would scare off any novice collector. Sure, buyer beware, but how about conceding that the vast majority of antique store owners and auction companies are honest and fair?

I thought there would be more illustrations, but it is a good book to give ideas on what to collect by description.

It's my fault for not researching this item more thoroughly.

The vendor had the book sent out in great condition and I received it in a very timely manner.

I would order another item from this vendor.