Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass (Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, 16th Ed)

Rating:
Summary: Great Learning Tool
Review: I have read this book and found it very informative. As a collector it is a very good tool in identifying and pricing collections.

Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY THE BEST!
Review: I have, admittedly, been a fan of Gene Florence's books since I first purchased his "The Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, Third Edition," back in 1977--I only wish I hadn't missed out on the first two volumes of this landmark series! Despite any negative comments by the occasional nay-sayer, Gene's "Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass," series (along with its varied spinoff specialty volumes) is the best-written, best-photographed and most informative series on Depression-era glassware ever published. And his Fifteenth Edition is simply his best volume, ever! However, one caveat--these books are not intended as primers; they, along with their sister, spinoff series, are intended, and serve, to be the definitive works on this fascinating and challenging subject... While others might attempt to rest upon their laurels, Gene Florence has devoted his considerable talents to consistently striving to refine and redefine his past works into a dynamic and ever-evolving magnum opus. Certainly, new volumes, such as his Fifteenth, have seen familiar patterns disappear from its pages, and rightly so--historically newer patterns (such as "Bubble", "Daisy", Fire-King, "Floragold", "Forest Green", "Harp", "Moonstone" "Royal Ruby", and "Sandwich"...) have been migrated to his "Collectible Glassware from the 40s, 50s, 60s". Gene has replaced these, quite appropriately, with previously unlisted patterns such as "Adam's Rib", "Addie", "Amelia", "Berlin", "Crackle", "Flute & Cane", "Kaleidoscope", and "Lotus", to name but a few. In addition, Gene continually updates his very informative and indispensable "Reproductions" section with each volume, cautioning collectors as to the latest faux glassware and how to make a fully informed choice when considering items whose patterns have been copied, so as to avoid purchasing the far less valuable (or totally worthless) fakes! For anyone seriously interested in Depression Glass, the two aforementioned series, accompanied by such definitive sister series as "Kitchen Glassware", "Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era", "Very Rare Glassware of the Despression Years", and "Florence's Glassware Pattern Identification Guide", are, indeed, simply the best!

Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: I personally found this book very helpful. I was able to id several family pieces, as well as many pieces I purchase for re-sale. This book has been an invaluable addition to my reference library. The only complaint I would have is that it is sometimes difficult to match the piece description with the photo. Some sort of numbering system similar to what he used in Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years would be most helpful. But, there are MANY wonderful color photos and they are improving with each edition and his re-pro information and measurements have saved me from a poor purchase more than once.

Rating:
Summary: One of his best! Don't miss books by this author!
Review: I think this is the book I like the most from Gene Florence. Lots of pictures. Well done. My collectibles library would be incomplete without this book. You will thumb through it time after time once you have read it cover to cover.

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: I was given some depression glass and had no idea what is was (other than it was depression era glass)or what it was worth. This book was easy to use and with all the great pictures it was easy to identify the patterns on my glassware. Now I know what to look for when shopping ads for matching pieces and what I can expect to pay for them. The book also discusses reproductions and how to identify them! Great book - a must have for a collector.

Rating:
Summary: a real disappointment....
Review: I was really looking forward to this edition of Gene's book but I found it lacking in many areas. The patterns are not as easily distinguishable as in his earlier books and he has left out major patterns that were available in those earlier books as well. It doesn't seem he has put the effort in this edition that he had put in all the previous ones.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: I was unimpressed with every aspect of this book and I am really wondering what Gene was really thinking when he attempted to sell this book to collectors?!?!?! I recently purchased a depression glass book by Barbara Mauzy and must say that she knows what she is doing. I am afraid that Gene's time is up and it is Barbara's time to shine. I would not reccommend Gene's book to anyone, however, I would highly reccommend Barbara's.

Rating:
Summary: Another Fascinating Reference.....
Review: In Collectors Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, Gene Florence gives us another indispensible guide, as well as a fascinating colorful tour of the incredibly beautiful glassware that used to adorn the tables and shelves of the earlier part of the 20th century known as the depression era. ............... As an enthusiastic collector of depression, and many other types of glass, I can look at this volume over and over, still finding something new to research. I was in a relatives house and noticed a serving platter that looked familiar not long ago, memorized the basic pattern, and found it very quickly in this book. It was Columbia by the prolific Federal Glass Company, who I have collected quite a bit from for myself. Mr. Florence gives you a genuine education in any part of the glass world you are interested in, anytime you sit down with one of his references. You can look in alphabetical order pattern by name, and then get the history of when it was produced, see the colors it came in, and of course, a price guide that lets you get an idea of what your pieces are worth. Naturally the prices are for mint condition items. This is good for the seller and the buyer as well. It is always fun when you find out you have a valuable piece, particularly if you paid very little. .................... Another important section is the reproductions that Mr. Florence includes. This is helpful in weeding out the new issues that mimic the past. No one wants to pay antique prices for something made overseas recently, and there are a load to watch out for. Here you can see them very clearly and they are also described in detail, telling you what to look for to identify the real from the repros. ................ If you collect, sell or just want to know more about depression glass, look no further for a complete, in-depth, fascinating, colorful reference that you will pull off the shelf over and over again. Just don't knock down any of YOUR valuable glass when you do!

Rating:
Summary: The best book on the topic I have read to date.
Review: Mr. Florence's pattern information and full-color photos have been extremely helpful. I began collecting a bit more than a year ago, but because of this book, I have been able to surprise even a few dealers with my knoledge of glassware. It has been an invaluable recource.

Rating:
Summary: this 14th edition is a must for every collector
Review: The 14th edition has a new color column system that makes the price guide even easier to read. Whether you're a serious investor or have a casual interest in the beautiful depression era glassware, this is the book you will turn to first, and probably most often. Many patterns, nice descriptions, accurate market values, Mr Florence is considered THE EXPERT among the depression glass community in my area. A fine reference which is a visual pleasure. If you are considering investing in depression glass, invest in this book first. You will make the purchase price back: probably with your first transaction.