Catalogs

2010 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901 2000

Standard Catalog of® World Coins offers extensive details to meet your needs whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out in the hobby. This one-of-a-kind coin book, with electronic pages of the book featured on the bonus DVD, delivers nearly 1 million up-to-date values, plus key elements including mintage figures, metallic composition, size, mint and privy marks, and historic background to help you to identify and assess 20th century coins from around the world.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars amateur numismatist reference
For an amateur this is quite adequate as it contains most of the major coinages of the world. Due to the extensive coinage systems of the world’s many countries, these “manuals” are now separated into blocks of years. It is worth the price.

4 Stars Very useful
This book is very extensive and easy to use. The dvd though is not really that useful, because it is just a .pdf of the book`s content.

4 Stars Good as Usual but Don’t Rush In Before Reading This
Krause Standard Catalog 1901-2000 is simply the world standard of coin catalogs for the period. Unless your collection is highly specialized within a very small region or you collect coins which Krause does not list as such (such as German notgeld or tokens) this is a catalog you must have in your private library. 2010 edition includes also CD version so you don’t have to carry around this rather bulky volume if you travel with your laptop.

The countries are organized in alphabetical order and within countries coins are listed by denominations with most coins presented in black and white pictures. Every coins is priced in at least three grades (except for parts of the US listing where commemorative coins are apparently worthless below AU grade while other coins are priced in eleven grades) with prices basically reflecting current market trends.

In short – if you collect world coins and you don’t have a copy, you simply should stop reading at this point and order one immediately. However, if you do have a fairly recent copy you should think twice before doing anything. The prices have been updated here and there. Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (if you collect Eastern Europe except Poland, you are in for a nice surprise!) were, Germany and France not necessarily while some markets have changed greatly over last few years. Let’s then take a look at Poland which has not been seriously updated for a decade. The key issue for post-1990 coins #306 King Sigismundus (still listed at $10 for Unc) will actually cost you at least $200 (unless you know a dealer who can’t use ebay). Any 2 zlote commemorative coin from 1995 will cost at least $30 – Krause offers $3,50 for most. Prices of silver coins are a bit closer to reality but only some were actually changed: #314 Lidzbark castle is still listed at $50 while market price is closer to $400.

It is fairly understandable that updating all the prices of the whole catalog is a major task but it seems that the editors are a bit too certain that at least one part of their job is done – that their catalog includes all coins issued within the period. Well, it doesn’t… I found at least two omissions. There are four 1 pound coins from Cyprus missing – one from 1999 and three from 2000. Copper 1999 3000 bolivares from Venezuela commemorating the new Mint is missing although silver 6000 bolivares coin issued on the same occasion is included. You will probably find some more missing pieces.

My conclusion – if you have a fairly new edition already (especially the 2009 one which also has the CD) you can stick to it for a while. The editors simply did not update this issue to such a degree that would justify the costs of your updating your library.

5 Stars Great book, excellent prices
2009 Standard Catalog Of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins) – great book, best price.

5 Stars moore than 5 star.
A very useful referance book for every coin collector. Every collector MUST have this catalog

Also the CD at the inner page of the back cover was a very nice surprise.

Now I will carry a 25 grams of catalog instead of a 2½ kilos during my trips.

regards

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A guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins A Complete History and Price Guide Official Red Books

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars A Must Have Guide Book for Anyone Interested in Double Eagle Gold Coins
Dave Bowers has shown us all once again his superb writing skills and in-depth Numismatic knowledge with this fairly new release on what just may be the worlds most popular gold coin, the US Double Eagle. All that is missing from this superb date by date analysis of the US double eagle gold coins guidebook is up to date pricing information, which of course has seen many changes ( most to the upside) since the release of this book.

Whether you are investing in these coins or collecting them , this is one of the guidebooks you need to study this facinating and important series of US gold coins. As a professional coin dealer and specialist in double eagles, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in these coins. Buy the book before you buy the coins!

4 Stars Excellent Details…….
I’ve just started collecting Double Eagles and this book offered many interesting details and excellent photos of all Double Eagles. There is good historical background offered also.

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Fine Art Digital Nature Photography

Digital cameras and software have revolutionized the world of photography. With seemingly endless products available, photographers are challenged to find what will work best for their individual needs. Renowned photographer Tony Sweet guides readers through numerous lessons, from performing camera “swipes” and creating abstract images to applying filters and transforming infrared images–all illustrated with his stunning nature photographs. Readers will learn how to use a variety of plug-ins, filters, exposure elements, adjustment layers, film emulation software and more.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Not as good as his other books
I have three of Tony Sweet’s other books + two of his videos, and I have learned so much from them, especially the Fine Art Nature Photography book of 2002.

Sweet’s previous books emphasized on what to do when planning and taking the picture, and at this he’s a master. Also, even though he uses a Nikon and I use a Canon, the techniques were not camera-specific, and I found them very useful.

This book, however, emphasizes what he does post-production. That is, once he’s taken a picture, he uses various Photoshop plug-ins and other software programs to modify the picture. Okay, this type of information is generally useful, but there are other sources that do it much better. Also, it lends itself well to video teaching more than reading.

Sweet’s presentation emphasizes programs that the average user isn’t likely to have (stuff in addition to Photoshop), and to buy them all would cost probably close to $1,000. Unfortunately, his explanation of why he used a particular technique isn’t rich enough that I can then duplicate it using Photoshop.

Sweet is a master at taking pictures, and his previous books about how to do so have invaluable tips. He is very good at post-production, but his methods are somewhat idiosyncratic, and it’s not clear how much one learns from them.

5 Stars The most motivating book thus far
I have bought all of Tony Sweets books, videos etc and have loved each of them. I have also taken some classes of his at Better Photo. This book has motivated me to a new height in photography. One reason being that when taking pictures in the past, I could never quite get the feel I would have liked in certain situations. This book is filled with ideas and examples of what I have been looking for. It is very motivating to see picture examples in which Tony takes a somewhat ordinary picture and then turns them into masterpieces with his creative techniques. I would recommend this book (and frankly his other books as well) as part of your permanent library.

5 Stars Typical Tony Sweet – Excellent, totally out of the box ideas.
I have all Tony Sweet’s book and this one is excellent like the others. Tony presents clean and easy to understand examples and how to instructions for converting your nature photograph into a work of art.

1 Star Disappointed
I found this book full of pretty pictures but containing nothing that would inspire me to new heights as far as my photography and my use of photoshop.

5 Stars Loaded with techniques
Fine Art Digital Nature Photography by Tony Sweet is loaded with beautiful photographs and Tony’s instruction on how each was created, either by in-camera processing, post processing software or time of capture techniques, many of which are new to me. This book is another outstanding effort, in line with his other publications and DVD’s and is highly recommended. I am anxious to try out the ideas and instructions this book provides.

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Through the Lens National Geographics Greatest Photographs

For more than 100 years, National Geographic has set the standard for nature, culture, and wildlife photography. Now, in Through the Lens, 250 spectacular images—some famous, others rarely seen—are gathered in one lavish and beautiful volume.

Through the Lens is divided into geographical regions—Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, and Oceans and Isles—with a special section devoted to space exploration. Each geographical section features an outstanding array of photographs that exemplifies the area’s unique people, wildlife, archaeology, culture, architecture, and environment, accompanied by brief but informative captions. From Barry Bishop’s heroic Mount Everest climb in the 1950s to the glorious wildlife of Asia and Africa, from ancient Maya culture to the Afghan girl found 17 years after her piercing green eyes captivated the world, these are some of the finest and most important photographs ever taken.

Featuring master photographers from the late 1800s to today, including Frans Lanting, David Doubilet, David Alan Harvey, Jodi Cobb, William Albert Allard, Nick Nichols, and Annie Griffiths Belt, Through the Lens is an extraordinary photographic celebration of some of the greatest the world has to offer.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Through the Lens: National Geographics Greatest Photographs
These photographs were taken my men and women who look through the eyes of angels. National Geographic to me are the only magazines / books that shows our world in graphic detail, naturally, without judgement and in all honesty. Congratulations to the photographers is not enough, thank you for giving us these gifts to treasure forever is more like it. You are blessed with something unique and we are in envy of your excellence.

3 Stars Fast shipping, great book!
Fast shipping, love the book, but the front cover was tattered on the edges. Thanks!

5 Stars Great to see pro hotos
I am an aspiring photographer. I was actually in the book store the other day just browsing and I picked up this book as well as the other 2 in this series (which are on there way). I was very impressed so I came home and got on Amazon. I got mine used (in great shape) for 10 bucks shipped…How can you go wrong there.

The reason I purchased this book is because I think it is really good to see what has made it to print and to get a feel for what a huge magazine deems good for print in it’s pages…that alone is worth studying and again 10 bucks shipped, is a killer deal!!!!!! Also another great thing about this book is that it has photos from 80 years ago and for those photographers wanting to gain that feel in their photos, it offers a great place to reference to see how it was done in print (not on some tute from the internet).

Another great aspect to this is that if you ever entertain and have this on the coffee table it is great for guests, creates conversation and also makes you look very well versed!

1 Star Through the Lens: National Geographic’s Greatest Photographs
We were highly disappointed in this book. The photos were grainy and certainly not National Geographics greatest! We have seen absolutely stunning shots from them in the past and not one was included in this book. It was a great disappointment.

5 Stars Outstanding Photographs
National Geographic has, of course, always been noted for outstanding photography. The book Through the Lens is certainly no exception. It offers great photos covering every corner of the Earth. The book is divided by regions so the photos are grouped appropriately. Credit is given to the photographers, and the dates and places for the pictures are clearly indicated. This is an excellent book to go through slowly while perusing the photos at length. The skill and the vision of the photographers is evident throughout.

The book is a companion volume to two other National Geographic books – Wide Angle and In Focus. All the books are excellent.

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The Rarest of the Rare Stories Behind the Treasures at the Harvard Museum of Natural History

Where do you find Nabokov’s butterflies, George Washington’s pheasants, and the only stuffed bird remaining from the Lewis and Clark expedition? The vast collections of animals, minerals, and plants at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are among the oldest in the country, dating back to the 1700s. In the words of Edward O. Wilson, the museum stands as both “cabinet of wonder and temple of science.” Its rich and unlikely history involves literary figures, creationists, millionaires, and visionary scientists from Asa Gray to Stephen Jay Gould. Its mastodon skeleton — still on display — is even linked to one of the nineteenth century’s most bizarre and notorious murders.

The Rarest of the Rare tells the fascinating stories behind the extinct butterflies, rare birds, lost plants, dazzling meteorites, and other scientific and historic specimens that fill the museum’s halls. You’ll learn about the painting that catches Audubon in a shameful lie, the sand dollar collected by Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle, and dozens of other treasures in this surprising, informative, and often amusing tour of the natural world.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great subject, great text, great photos.
I’ve wandered through that musuem and been impressed, but this book brings my appreciation and awe to an entirely new level. I don’t know whether to make a return visit or just reread the book whenever I need to be reminded of that treasure house in Cambridge. Nancy Pick’s text is like a curator tour of the collection highlights; the best tour you could imagine.

5 Stars Interesting Book
I had looked forward to getting this book for a while and have enjoyed it very much. This would make a nice gift book for a museum or natural history lover. It makes a lovely coffe table book as well but not just for looks but for reading.

2 Stars A big disappointment
The idea behind this book was great: pick some of the more interesting specimens out of the thousands held at the Harvard Museum of Natural History & write the story behind each. Alas, the outcome is boring & unimaginative. Most accounts are simplistic & unsophisticated. Moreover, the photos of many specimens were taken on distracting backgrounds such as human hands, maps, notebooks, etc. I am glad I bought a cheap secondhand copy.

5 Stars More than a mere listing or summary outline of specimens
Museum enthusiasts and natural history buffs alike will find the museum stories in The Rarest of the Rare: Stories Behind the Treasures at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are enhanced with nearly a hundred color photos by Mark Sloan as images accompany descriptions for some of the unusual specimens housed at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, with Nancy Pick explaining the special importance of each. The Rarest Of The Rare is more than a mere listing or summary outline of specimens as author Nancy Pick reveals just how the item was collected and where, as well as noting the diverse financial and collector contributors who often performed extraordinary feats to get the specimen to the museum.

5 Stars A TRULY OUTSTANDING BOOK!!!!!!!
This is a gem of a book. A rare combination of science, history, and photography. The book presents the history of Harvard’s Museum of Natural History and the great scientific treasures it holds. Nancy Pick’s wonderful writing style includes historical information on how the specimens came into the collection and on the scientific importance of these specimens. You get to see material collected by Lewis and Clark, Captain Cook, Darwin, Nabokov, and many, many others. There is something here for everybody: birds, insects, orchids, mammals, fishes, reptiles, etc. This is truly an outstanding book.

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