A brand new Penny Treasure book that helps you find valuable pennies in loose change. This complete coin guide appeals to anyone who is interested in:Coin roll hunting, silver coins, gold coins, coin collecting, making money, working from home, Indian Head Pennies, coins, extra income, you name it. Metal detecting enthusiasts love this material, they are always looking for valuable coins, silver and gold. Who knew that error coins and rare coins could be found in loose change. A section just for children helps them get started on an adventure that can last a life time and even help pay for their education. Read more

Want To Avoid Common Mistakes With Cigars?Select The Best Cigar For You & Enjoy Your Cigar Experience!Wrappers, sizes, colors...there is LOTS to know about cigars. And each choice will impact your enjoyment. Did you know just how much cigar sizes vary from brand to brand? Do you know what color and packing you'll like? Take a look inside and get to know exactly what cigar will work for you.˃˃˃ Avoid a bad choiceThis book teaches you how to select something you'll like. Start getting to know cigars and avoid the coughing spells that come when you select something wrong for you early on!˃˃˃ Concise and clearThe Cigar Cutter walks you through cigar basics quickly and briefly...it keeps things easy for you to get to know cigars and to get you to the fun!˃˃˃ Don't get left behindCigars are popular for their flavor, mystery, and the ambience they create. Learn about cigars today and pick up on the trend!Scroll up and grab a copy today to help make a memory for your next big event or special night out. Read more

Error Coin Collecting for Beginners: The Practical Guide to Identifying Rare Coins, Valuing, and Building a Collection of Valuable Error Coins with Expert InsightsUnlock the secrets hidden in your pocket change and dive into the fascinating world of error coin collecting. This comprehensive guide is your trusted companion, perfect for anyone eager to identify, value, and curate a unique collection of rare mint errors.Whether you're a curious beginner or a passionate numismatist, this book simplifies the complexities of error coin collecting into clear, actionable steps. With expert advice, real-world examples, and practical guidance, you'll gain the confidence to uncover treasures in plain sight.What You’ll Learn:The Basics of Error Coin Hunting: Understand minting processes and how errors like doubled dies, off-center strikes, and mule coins are created.Tools and Techniques: Discover essential equipment and strategies for detecting rare minting errors, from lighting setups to advanced magnification.Building and Preserving Your Collection: Learn how to safely store, catalog, and protect your coins for long-term value.Famous U.S. Error Coins: Detailed insights into iconic coins, such as the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent and the 2000-P Sacagawea Mule Error.Authentication and Grading: Master the art of distinguishing genuine errors from damage and navigate professional grading services.Selling and Investing: Gain strategies for profiting from your collection, understanding market trends, and finding undervalued coins.Highlights Include:Step-by-step instructions for identifying, evaluating, and cataloging error coins.Tips for sourcing coins from pocket change, rolls, dealers, and auctions.Practical advice on using tools like magnifiers, apps, and microscopes.A checklist of must-have equipment for beginner and advanced collectors.Whether you're searching through spare change, exploring flea markets, or browsing online auctions, this book will give you the tools and knowledge to succeed.Start your journey today and uncover the hidden treasures waiting in the world of error coin collecting. Read more

This is the brand new updated and expanded 2024 edition The Internet Has Made It Possible For You To Buy Ancient Coins For Pennies On The Dollar: I Will Show You HowImagine owning coins that are thousands of years old and have images on them showing the history of the world. Imagine owning a coin with a picture of Julius Caesar on it, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great, and even Jesus. Coins from all parts of the ancient world can be found and purchased: Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Judeo-Christian, and Muslim cultures are examples.No Coin Or Internet Experience Is Needed – With My Simple Step by Step Process You Will Learn How To Buy Coins, Clean Coins and Resell Them For Giant Profit Margins. This information has great appeal to coin collectors, anyone looking for a pastime or hobby, and anyone looking to teach their children or grandkids about coins and get them started in a pastime that is rich in history and costs little to get into. It also appeals to anyone looking to make extra income from home working only a few hours each week. This book includes special information, revealed for the first time: Find out who the trusted dealers are. Find out how to clean coins safely and how to create a listing on eBay. In this book, you will learnThe rich history of ancient coinsHow to buy coinsHow to clean coinsHow to find the honest and best dealersBuying and selling on eBay and how to get the greatest dealWhich forums you should joinWhat the best resources are so you can expand your knowledgeAnyone interested in coin collecting, ancient coins, gold and silver coins, buying and selling on eBay, selling on Amazon and Etsy, making money from home, a home-based business, making extra cash, can benefit from this material. Read more

Ever Spent a $1,000 Coin on a Candy Bar? You Probably Have!The definitive resource for finding valuable error coins hiding in circulation today. This comprehensive guide helps you identify, authenticate, and value the most profitable U.S. error coins that could be sitting in your coin jar right now—or worse, that you've already spent! What You'll Find Inside:Over 160 high-resolution images with precise arrows pointing to exact error locationsPlain-English descriptions—because who needs numismatic double-talk when you're hunting for doubled dies?Real-world values showing what collectors actually paid in recent auctions and sales—not theoretical "book values" that no dealer follows!Practical hunting tips from error specialists who've turned pocket change into college fundsAND MORE!! – NO JOKE!Think this hobby's too complicated? Think again!Our straightforward organization by denomination means you'll know exactly where to flip when that suspicious nickel catches your eye. From Lincoln Cents to Kennedy Half Dollars, we've created the simplest path from "Is this worth something?" to "YES, IT IS!"3 INCREDIBLE BONUSES - YOURS FREE!Bonus #1: Exclusive Access to Top Collector CommunitiesJoin the inner circle of error coin enthusiasts where the real discoveries happen first! Get immediate access to exclusive coin clubs and specialty Facebook groups where seasoned collectors share finds, swap tips, and even buy/sell rare coins before they hit the open market. When that strange-looking penny has you puzzled, you'll have experts at your fingertips ready to help!Bonus #2: Pro-Level Video TutorialsWhy waste time with confusing technical terms when our expert video tutorials make identification a breeze? These exclusive step-by-step videos transform complicated numismatic concepts into simple visual lessons anyone can follow. It's like having a professional coin dealer looking over your shoulder, guiding your discoveries, and sharing insider secrets that typically take decades to learn!Bonus #3: "U.S. Valuable Coins Guide" eBookYour digital companion for modern treasure hunting! This exclusive eBook reveals the most valuable U.S. coins by denomination, with insider knowledge on what makes them special. Perfect for quick reference at coin shops, flea markets, or even the grocery store checkout line. The coin you save could be worth hundreds or even thousands!After discovering all the valuable errors detailed in this guide, you'll never look at your loose change the same way again. That worn penny from 1969 with the tiny "S" mintmark could be worth $50,000. The quarter with part of its design missing might buy your next laptop. Even that odd-looking dollar coin could fund a vacation.All I'm saying is... you deserve to know what you're holding. This guide serves as your protection against accidentally spending a small fortune on everyday purchases. With each page turn, you're building the knowledge that transforms ordinary transactions into potential discoveries.The best part? You don't need special equipment or years of experience—just this guide and your own two eyes. The most valuable coins are found by people exactly like you who simply know what to look for.So go ahead, check your change. You might just be holding something extraordinary. GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!!! Read more

In the authors' own words, this new edition of Strike It Rich with Pocket Change, dispels the myths of error coins and assists you in discovering, marketing, and researching rare coins that you can find in your pocket change.More than 350 close-up illustrations, key identifying details and current market values help you decipher the difference between proper and error issues and varying types of coins. In addition, this unique must-have how-to also includes:   • Coverage of Lincoln Memorial Cents, Roosevelt Dimes, Washington Quarters, John F. Kennedy Half Dollars, State Quarters   • Expert insight and advice about tools of the trade, preserving coins, buying and selling error-variety coins   • Terms and definitions associated with error coinsWhether it's a Jefferson Presidential dollar missing edge lettering, that's worth $2,000 - $10,000 plus or a Lincoln cent with trail marks that make it an error worth $1 - $3 there are hidden treasures to be found in your pocket change, if you know what to look for. Read more

Few books have excited the coin-collecting community like the Cherrypickers’ Guide. Since the first edition burst onto the scene in 1990, thousands of hobbyists have been searching for the rare die varieties described inside. This handy book tells you how to “cherrypick”—that is, how to examine coins that look normal at first glance, but have unusual characteristics: doubled and tripled dies, overdates, repunched mintmarks, and other features that can reveal a common coin to be a rare and valuable variety. With the close-up photographs and descriptions inside, you’ll learn exactly what to look for. That kind of knowledge truly is power! Read more

Gain the confidence to get your treadle sewing machine in working order to glide as they should.You will learn about the following, types of mechanisms, cleaning without destroying the gold decals, oiling and lubricating, tension and pressure, installing a leather belt, needles, threading, how to treadle, free motion quilting and embroidery. There is a resource page listing helpful sites.Donna has used treadle sewing machines exclusively since 1993. In 2004 she was a guest with three of the iron beauties on HGTV’s Simply Quilts Show with Alex Anderson. She was then featured in several quilting magazines and has spoken to quilt guilds about her passion. Her home is sprinkled with treadle sewing machines she calls iron ladies and gents, most of them have nicknames. Donna says she thinks she hears them dancing during the night because they were rescued and are now loved. You will meet some of the machines and learn why they got their nicknames. Read more

Know how to find the Antiques/Collectibles and Sell for Best priceToday only, get this Amazon bestseller for just $2.99. Regularly priced at $4.99. Read on your PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device. You might have collected lot of antique items in your past and didn't know what to do with it. Also you might have tried to sell some old stuff of yours but didn't know how to really sell it. This book goes into details about how to find the right antique which you can buy and sell. Antique collection and sale is an interesting hobby, You will be surprised how much money you can make once you know the trade. Antiquing is an art which anybody can learn and become rich.Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn...Chapter 1: Antiques & AntiquingChapter 2: Types of AntiquesChapter 3: Notable Antiques & Antique ExpertsChapter 4: Hunting AntiquesMuch, much more!Download your copy today! Take action right away to Make money by Selling Antiques by downloading this book "The Ultimate Guide To Antiques: How To Find The Best Antiques and Sell For Best Price", for a limited time discount of only $2.99! Tags: Antiques, Antiquity, Collectibles, Sell for best price, find out the best antiques Read more

This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide provides the official American Numismatic Association grading standards for every United States coin minted since 1793. Beginners, advanced collectors, and dealers will all find the text understandable and invaluable for grading coins, both circulation strikes and Proofs. Every standard grade is illustrated and described in detail. Every coin is studied, from half cents to gold double eagles, plus comemoratives. Text descriptions of 30 levels help you pinpoint grades from Poor to Mint State. Detailed photographs show you exactly what to look for. All 11 levels of Mint State are discussed in detail. Read more

One dealer's journey from the populist mayhem of flea markets to the rarefied realm of auctions reveals the rich, often outrageous subculture of antiques and collectibles. Millions of Americans are drawn to antiques and flea-market culture, whether as participants or as viewers of the perennially popular Antiques Roadshow or the recent hit American Pickers. This world has the air of a lottery: a $20 purchase might net you four, five, or six figures. Master dealer Curt Avery, the unlikely star of Killer Stuff and Tons of Money, plays that lottery every day, and he wins it more than most. Occasionally he gets lucky, but more often, he draws on a deep knowledge of America's past and the odd, fascinating, and beautiful objects that have survived it. Week in, week out, Avery trawls the flea and antiques circuit-buying, selling, and advising other dealers in his many areas of expertise, from furniture to glass to stoneware, and more. On the surface, he's an improbable candidate for an antiques dealer. He wrestled in high school and still retains the pugilistic build; he is gruff, funny, and profane; he favors shorts and sneakers, even in November; and he is remarkably generous toward both competitors and customers who want a break. But as he struggles for a spot in a high-end Boston show, he must step up his game and, perhaps more challenging, fit in with a white-shoe crowd. Through his ascent, we see the flea-osphere for what it truly is-less a lottery than a contact sport with few rules and many pitfalls. This rich and sometimes hilarious subculture rewards peculiar interests and outright obsessions-one dealer specializes in shrunken heads; another wants all the postal memorabilia he can get. So Avery must be a guerrilla historian and use his hard-earned knowledge of America's past to live by and off his wits. Only the smartest survive in one of America's most ruthless meritocracies. Killer Stuff and Tons of Money is many things: an insider's look at a subculture replete with arcane traditions and high drama, an inspiring account of a self-made man making his way in a cutthroat field, a treasure trove of tips for those who seek out old things themselves, and a thoroughly fresh, vibrant view of history as blood sport. Read more

Whether you are new to America’s most popular rifle, or a longtime user who questions some of the old wives’ tales and urban myths surrounding the AR-15, Sweeney lays out all the detail you need to select and maintain your rifle.From nomenclature to field-stripping, and keeping an AR functioning at its peak no matter how harsh the environment or demands, Sweeney gets under the hood with you to keep it running.IT’S ALL HERE, INCLUDING:TerminologyEssential ToolsDisassembly & CleaningZeroingTroubleshootingAnd much more! Read more

If you want to learn everything about fountain pens, then check out "HowExpert Guide to Fountain Pens." You will learn how to find, use, clean, maintain, and love fountain pens from A to Z! Fountain pens are not ancient relics, and they're not pens made of feathers that you dip into an ink vial. That would be a quill. They are part of a bustling and modern industry backed by users, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide. And by the end of this book, you might be one of them. In HowExpert Guide to Fountain Pens, you'll discover all you need to know about: • What a fountain pen is • How to write with a fountain pen • How to clean a fountain pen • How to make sure your fountain pen performs at its best • Ways to use a fountain pen like daily reflection journaling and letter writing • Fountain pen collecting • How ink and paper make a difference in your writing • Why fountain pens can be so expensive • And so much more! In this guide, there will also be tips, tricks, and warnings to ensure that your fountain pen maintenance takes no more effort than it has to. Collecting and writing with fountain pens are supposed to be part of an enjoyable hobby. It's not supposed to stress you out. The tips and lessons inside this guide will ensure that your experience is smooth as a nib on paper. Check out “HowExpert Guide to Fountain Pens” and learn all about fountain pens starting today! About the Expert Lauren Traye is a life-long stationery enthusiast turned fountain pen fanatic. She's been collecting and using fountain pens for well over two years and enjoys spreading her knowledge to her friends, family, and anyone who will listen. Over the years, she's amassed a collection of over 20 pens, 18 bottles of ink, and countless ink samples. She's not running out of ink any time soon. Her preferred pen will have a fine or medium nib and will always be inked with something purple. When she's not tending to her fountain pen collection or roaming the internet for her next acquisition, she enjoys bullet journaling, reading, and spending time with her two adorable kittens. HowExpert publishes quick ‘how to’ guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts. Read more

If you love the elegance of fountain pens, enjoy collecting fine writing instruments, or want to ensure your pens perform at their best for years to come, HowExpert Guide to 365+ Fountain Pen Tips is your go-to resource. Whether you're selecting your first pen, expanding your collection, or fine-tuning your writing experience, this book provides 365+ daily tips to help you improve your technique, maintain your pens, explore rare and luxury models, and connect with the fountain pen community. With a structured daily format and practical insights, this guide makes it easy to develop your knowledge and appreciation for fountain pens—one tip at a time.Inside, you’ll discover:Chapter 1 – January: Getting Started with Fountain Pens – Learn the fundamentals, including how fountain pens work, key components, and how to choose your first pen.Chapter 2 – February: Nibs & Writing Experience – Explore different nib types, materials, and how to customize them for a smoother, more personalized writing style.Chapter 3 – March: Ink & Filling Systems – Understand various ink types, filling mechanisms, and how to safely mix inks for custom colors.Chapter 4 – April: Paper & Writing Surfaces – Discover the best notebooks, journals, and paper types to enhance ink performance and prevent feathering.Chapter 5 – May: Writing Techniques & Handwriting Improvement – Improve your grip, posture, and handwriting with practical drills and calligraphy exercises.Chapter 6 – June: Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting – Keep your pens in peak condition with essential cleaning, storage, and problem-solving techniques.Chapter 7 – July: Collecting & Vintage Fountain Pens – Identify valuable pens, restore vintage models, and explore the world of limited editions and market trends.Chapter 8 – August: Advanced Customization & Personalization – Modify nibs, create custom ink blends, and personalize your pens with unique finishes and engravings.Chapter 9 – September: Luxury & High-End Fountain Pens – Explore premium materials, compare prestigious brands, and decide whether luxury pens are worth the investment.Chapter 10 – October: The Fountain Pen Community & Events – Engage with fellow enthusiasts through online forums, pen shows, and independent pen makers.Chapter 11 – November: The Practical Side of Fountain Pens – Learn how to travel with pens, incorporate them into daily work, and develop lifelong writing habits.Chapter 12 – December: Fun, Myths & Lesser-Known Tips – Uncover fascinating pen designs, creative ink experiments, and debunk common myths about fountain pens.Bonus Chapter: 30 Extra Must-Know Fountain Pen Tips – Get additional insights on collecting, writing, maintenance, and hidden gems in the fountain pen world.Appendices – Access a glossary of terms, recommended brands, maintenance checklists, and handwriting practice sheets.HowExpert Guide to 365+ Fountain Pen Tips is more than just a book—it’s your daily companion for making the most of every fountain pen you own or aspire to have. Whether you’re refining your handwriting, maintaining vintage models, or exploring new inks and nibs, this guide helps you develop skills, expand your collection, and enjoy the art of writing. With 365+ daily tips, there’s always something new to discover. Master your fountain pen experience—one tip at a time! 🖋️HowExpert publishes how to guides on all topics from A to Z. Read more

Watch Brands And Their HistoryHistory And Models Of The Great Watch Brands At A GlanceImmerse yourself in the history and compelling stories behind the world's most famous and important watch brands. In "Watch Brands And Their History" by Dominik Josef Hofrichter, we take you on a journey through time where every tick-tock tells a story and every brand represents a chapter in the history of watchmaking.From Rolex to Patek Philippe, from Omega to Jaeger LeCoultre, this book takes you through the amazing diversity and exquisite craftsmanship that makes these watch brands so desirable. In a matter-of-fact tone and with meticulous accuracy, Hofrichter illuminates the evolution of each brand, from its humble beginnings to its iconic status today. Black-and-white images, overviews and backgrounds.The book is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white images that impressively illustrate the evolution of these brands and their watches. Delve into the world of mechanics and design, learn how innovation meets tradition in the watch industry, and marvel at the engineering feats that power these timepieces.Whether you are a watch enthusiast looking for more advanced knowledge or someone just diving into the fascinating world of watches, "Watch Brands And Their History" offers you a clear and understandable overview. Dominik Josef Hofrichter conveys his extensive knowledge in an accessible way, introducing you to the secrets and intricacies of watchmaking. The perfect book for watch collectors and fansThis book is more than just a collection of stories about watch brands; it is a tribute to the timeless elegance and technical brilliance that lies within each timepiece. Discover the story behind your favorite watch and be enchanted by the beauty and precision of watchmaking."Watch Brands And Their History" is the ideal book for anyone who is interested in watches and wants to learn more about the brands that hold time in our hands. Immerse yourself and experience the world of watchmaking like never before. Read more

Containing photographs of everyday, antique objects along with insightful commentary, Things Korean is a useful guide to traditional life in Korea.O-Young Lee, former Korean Minister of Culture gives us a survey of native objects from Korea, from totems(Changsung) to hair-pins(binyo), crock pots(Changdokdae) to temple bells(Jong), scissors(Kawi) to graves(mudon) explaining their significance and place in everyday Korean life.Each item in the book is listed under its English and Korean name; a glossary is provided to further assist the reader. Lavishly illustrated with more than 100 color illustrations, Things Korean is a magnificent celebration of Korean culture. Read more

If you want to start your own sneaker collection, identify rare and valuable sneakers, and keep your footwear in top condition, then HowExpert Guide to Sneaker Collecting is the ultimate resource for you!This handbook takes you step-by-step through the exciting world of sneaker collecting — whether you’re buying your first pair or building an investment-worthy collection. Learn how to identify authentic sneakers, assess their value, and preserve them in top condition while staying informed about trends and technologies shaping the sneaker industry.What You’ll Learn Inside This Book:Chapter 1: Introduction to Sneaker Collecting – Discover the appeal, collector types, and motivations for starting your sneaker journey.Chapter 2: The History of Sneaker Culture – Explore the origins, iconic brands, and moments that shaped modern sneaker collecting.Chapter 3: Sneaker Anatomy and Design – Break down sneaker parts, materials, and technologies to understand their appeal.Chapter 4: Planning Your Sneaker Collection – Set goals, create a budget, and define your focus to build a standout collection.Chapter 5: Where to Find Sneakers – Source sneakers from stores, marketplaces, conventions, and secondhand shops.Chapter 6: Assessing Value and Rarity – Evaluate conditions, identify rare releases, and track trends to make smart purchases.Chapter 7: Storing Sneakers Safely – Protect sneakers with climate control, cleaning, and preservation techniques.Chapter 8: Organizing and Tracking Your Collection – Use digital tools, labels, and apps to keep your collection organized.Chapter 9: Displaying Sneakers Creatively – Design showcases and themed arrangements for your collection.Chapter 10: Buying and Selling Sneakers – Win raffles, negotiate deals, avoid counterfeits, and resell for profit.Chapter 11: Sneaker Investing Strategies – Treat sneakers as assets, forecast trends, and build a profitable portfolio.Chapter 12: Sneaker Repair and Restoration – Restore vintage sneakers and fix wear and tear with DIY or professional services.Chapter 13: Networking and Trends – Connect with sneakerheads, attend events, and explore modern trends like NFTs and sustainable footwear.Chapter 14: Conclusion – Recap lessons, stay inspired, and plan next steps for growing your collection.Chapter 15: Appendices – Access glossaries, events, resources, and tools for budgeting, authentication, and inventory management.Why You Need This Book:Sneaker Collector’s Guide: Covers sourcing, investing, preserving, and showcasing sneakers.Helpful Tools and Resources: Offers budgeting tips, inventory management, and authentication strategies to build and manage your collection.Proven Buying and Selling Methods: Learn to find rare sneakers, negotiate deals, and resell for profit while avoiding counterfeits.Modern Trends and Innovations: Stay ahead with insights into restoration techniques, sustainable sneakers, NFTs, and creative displays.Start Your Sneaker Journey Today:Whether you want to collect iconic sneakers, invest in rare shoes, or display your collection like a museum, HowExpert Guide to Sneaker Collecting gives you the knowledge and tools to succeed. Packed with step-by-step advice and expert tips, this guide makes sneaker collecting simple, fun, and profitable!Get started today — grab your copy of HowExpert Guide to Sneaker Collecting and turn your passion for sneakers into a lifelong hobby or profitable investment!HowExpert publishes quick "how to" guides on all topics from A to Z. Read more

This Glossopedia is a compact glossary/mini-encyclopedia of words, phrases, and names, with more than 1,600 entries comprising (with subentries) more than 1,750 individual terms, more than 1,000 illustrations, more than 200 patent citations linked to their respective patent documents at various archives, and extensive cross-references. Its specific focus, like my own, is fountain pens; but I am sufficiently distractible that some entries relating to ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, etc., have inevitably crept in. In addition to defining jargon words and phrases, the Glossopedia also includes historical and usage notes. There are also brief histories of many pen companies and capsule biographies of some of the people who made important contributions to the advancement of fountain pen technology. Read more

This first eBook volume, focuses on Indiana's Crown pattern and contains a complete history of the line (#77) from the late 1950s through the late 1980s. It also includes a history of other similar patterns by companies such as Adams & Co., U.S. Glass, D.C. Jenkins and L.G. Wright. The author’s work is high-lighted with wonderfully detailed photographs and an astonishing array of original catalog pages from the Indiana Glass Company. Graphics with direct comparisons between items are included to help collectors distinguish which glass company made what. “The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Indiana Glass” gives you, the collector, all the necessary information needed to continue on your glass collecting journey. Read more

From rare books, valuable sculpture and paintings, the relics of saints, and porcelain and other precious items, through stamps, textiles, military ribbons, and shells, to baseball cards, teddy bears, and mugs, an amazing variety of objects have engaged and even obsessed collectors through the ages. With this captivating book the psychoanalyst Werner Muensterberger provides the first extensive psychological examination of the emotional sources of the never-ending longing for yet another collectible. Muensterberger's roster of driven acquisition-hunters includes the dedicated, the serious, and the infatuated, whose chronic restlessness can be curbed--and then merely temporarily--only by purchasing, discovering, receiving, or even stealing a new "find." In an easy, conversational style, the author discusses the eccentricities of heads of state, literary figures, artists, and psychoanalytic patients, all possessed by a need for magic relief from despair and helplessness--and for the self-healing implied in the phrase "I can't live without it!" The sketches here are diverse indeed: Walter Benjamin, Mario Praz, Catherine the Great, Poggio Bracciolini, Brunelleschi, and Jean de Berry, among others.The central part of the work explores in detail the personal circumstances and life history of three individuals: a contemporary collector, Martin G; the celebrated British book and manuscript collector Sir Thomas Phillipps, who wanted one copy of every book in the world; and the great French novelist Honoré de Balzac, a compulsive collector of bric-a-brac who expressed his empathy for the acquisitive passions of his collector protagonist in Cousin Pons. In addition, Muensterberger takes the reader on a charming tour of collecting in the Renaissance and looks at collecting during the Golden Age of Holland, in the seventeenth century. Throughout, we enjoy the author's elegant variations on a complicated theme, stated, much too simply, by John Steinbeck: "I guess the truth is that I simply like junk."Originally published in 1993.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Read more