Antiques Roadshow Primer: The Introductory Guide to Antiques and Collectibles from the Most-Watched Series on PBS

by Carol Prisant

Book Overview

The national treasure hunt, Antiques Roadshow draws millions and millions. Now this knowledge, authority, and passion is distilled in the "Antiques Roadshow Primer," an introductory guide to American antiques and collectibles. The primer addresses the essential things buyers and collectors need to know, covering shapes, styles, and patterns, provenance, periods, and motifs. A 32-page full-color section illustrates numerous examples of styles and techniques...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076111775X
• ISBN13: 9780761117759
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 2.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 7.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Antiques Roadshow Primer is all about style!

With a Foreword by Chris Jussel, the show's charming & charmed host, in which he gives us a glimpse of the unfolding of what has arguably become one of the most watched shows in the history of television, The Antiques Roadshow Primer is a gift waiting to be given to any & all who enjoy browsing through fleamarkets, garage & estate sales, other countries & country auctions as well as dealers' stores. With black & white photos on every page & a glorious full color section, this is a clear, interesting teaching book. It has a useful Glossary, a long & lucid Index & a thorough Photo Credits Sections. While values & prices of pieces are rare(go to the many catalogs in print for real time prices)what I like about the Antiques Roadshow Primer is you're learning all the time, on every page; learning to see what's before you, to classify, verify & testify. Very well done! For my full review do check out my sit [...].

An excellent companion to the television show

This book is intended to be a companion to the PBS series of the same name. It has ten chapters covering: furniture; silver; porcelain, pottery and glass; paintings; jewelry; clocks and watches; metalwork; rugs, quilts and samplers; toys, dolls and collectibles; and book and manuscripts. Each chapter covers its topic, giving the read the history of its subject, and many important details, including a list of "further reading." As an added bonus, this book is sprinkled with special "Antiques Roadshow Discoveries"; items of note that turned up during the shows.I absolutely loved this book. It is written in an easy to understand format, and its layout kept surprising me with new information. While this book will not contain enough information for those who are seeking in-depth information on a topic, it will please all others. I recommend this book absolutely!

A "must" for all Antique Roadhow fans & viewers.

PBS's hit series on antique collecting now receives Antiques Roadshow Primer, a book which is sure to prove a hit for any interested in learning about antiques and their values. This primer includes specifics of how to price antiques, from determining styles and periods to motifs, maker's marks, and valuing attic contents. Chapters are organized by types of items and help readers determine general age and indicators of value.

The Gift of the Year

What could be a more appropriate resource for the new millenium than this compedium of information concerning antiques. Through a delightfully written and totally applicable approach, Carol Prisant helps those of us green to the antiques market guage the potential value of our treasures. For such a broad field of study, Ms. Prisant takes us by the hand through a myriad of antiques, giving us a general yet highly pertinent overview of each category. She then goes into a more in depth explanation, replete with fascinating examples, of what comprises a healthy antique. She seems to provide a minor's hat to each of her readers, and brings us on a wonderful journey of exploration into so many practical and fascinating details of this arena. This was such a fulfilling read, such an inspiration to any of us who search for a more complete understanding of the world of objects around us. She primes us indeed, and serves as a masterful captain in navigating these otherwise confusing waters. This book is written in highly intelligent yet comfortably familiar language, with true respect for us novices. Antiques Roadshow Primer takes center stage on my shelves this year. Bravo! and can we have a Primer 2, please?

Great Advice

Having just completed my reading of the book by Ms Prisant, I have found it an excellent companion for advice and research into the world of antiques. I especially found the sections on furniture, paintings and jewelry to be thoughtful and helpful in content.I recommend the book highly to people looking for insights into their own valued possessions or when thinking of purchasing.