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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Second voloume of the "BIBLE" with lots of DOGS!, 16 Jan 2006
As I reviewed in Volume 1, as soon as I started collecting Staffordshire Pottery, numerous references to the "A&N Harding Victorian Staffordshire Figures Books “ and their various volumes started to pop up.On visiting dealers they would often whip out their volume and review items against it. It appears to be the biggest and most definitive guide to Staffs available. A huge feat to accomplish and Adrian and Nicholas Harding should be commended on taking the time and effort to create such a hugely interesting and valuable set of references. This volume - number two, covers RELIGIOUS, HUNTERS, PASTORAL, OCCUPATIONS, CHILDREN & ANIMALS, DOGS, ANIMALS, and COTTAGES & CASTLES, SPORT & MISCELLANEOUS. Now as I am keen on the animals and the dogs this is my favourite volume so far (I haven't received no. 3 yet - it's on it's way!) There are lots of pictures of dogs and other animals and I have spent delightful hours comparing them with my own collection, although if you are like me, then get the book CLIVE MASON POP A-Z Staffordshire Dogs - a potted history to add additional information and reference. Expensive it might seem, but this very large book has over 300 top quality glossy pages and compared with other works it's great value and stuffed pull with clear full colour photographs of the various pieces and of a good deal of information. I asked my hubby to buy me the set for Christmas as they were pricey and I am thrilled, he feels pleased as I constantly refer to them and knows he got me something I really wanted, so it's definitely a great idea as a gift for a collector in the family, they WILL BE PLEASED. The pictures are delicious and leave you hoping you might find some of these beautiful items on your own searches. You need the set though, otherwise it is just frustrating, There are 4 Books now, the first three are Volumes one two and three and all cover 1835-1875 and more recently a new one, not numbered covering a later period 1875-1962. If you are a collector or dealer, then you should have this set of reference books, otherwise you are a like a Vicar without a bible!
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