Ceramics Books and Magazines

Boy, how right she was -- this book is nothing more than pretty pictures! The author does say the values are from the results of an auction, but he goes on to mention that collectors "might realistically expect to pay (these prices) at retail or auction." That statement is untrue. The values in the book are lower, in some cases much lower.

One misleading statement -- repeated several times throughout the book -- infuriated me. The author says medium green was one of the original colors of Fiesta introduced in 1936. Anyone who has read even a little about Fiesta knows light green was one of the original colors -- medium green wasn't introduced until the late 1950s. The author never mentions when light green was introduced, by the way.

For great pictures of colorful Fiesta, check out this book. For a handy and helpful reference guide, you better look elsewhere.


Lousy Research Material on Fiestaware   November 14, 1997
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

If you are looking for an in-depth book for Fiestaware, including accurate item descriptions, history, and a current updated value guide, DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!

The prices reflected for the highly-valued collectible Fiesta represents those prices at a recent auction. Many pieces in the auction were damaged....and the values provided do not reflect that.

The author incorrectly lists "medium green" as one of the original shades of Fiesta dinnerware, launched in 1936. Most people know that this color was not introduced until the 1950's.

Another example of poor research.....On page 90, the author lists a teacup that would sell at 600 times normal value (about $18,000). In my 15 years of fiesta collecting, I have NEVER heard of something so outrageous.....niether have any of my network of Fiesta collecting friends. I have even written the author (Mr. Snyder) about this (he has not replied to my inquiry). I also telephoned and wrote the Homer Laughlin China Factory about this and they said they were surprised by this value.

All in all, the book is nearly worthless in my opinion as far as information on Fiesta. I give it a "2" rating only because some of the color pictures are pretty...but then again, Fiesta is such a wonderfully colorful dinnerware, any pictures of it are usually neat!