Ceramics Books and Magazines

The book covers a history of the pottery, including the famous "radioactive red", it shows the four most common backstamps, it describes ways to definitively identify Fiesta (as opposed to some look-alikes), and gives explanations of the dating codes and the various measurements.

As well, the book is chock-full of good photos the various pieces in all their colorful glory. I especially like the section on the Harlequin line, as it seems to be rising in collectibility. The only other quibble I have is with the prices shown, but that's a problem with every reference book out there these days, as the online auctions have thrown everything for a loop. So if you're looking for a good, general reference on Fiesta, this is the one to get.


The best Fiesta book out there, but with glaring errors   December 14, 1999
 23 out of 24 found this review helpful

It's definitely the best Fiesta book out there, but their attention to detail diminishes their product. There are at least two mislabeled captions. I don't know enough to detect others. The one glaring one is a page that shows the often-confusing range of green colors (chartreuse, medium green, light green and forest green.) Unfortunately, they MISLABELED this! This error further confuses collectors who are trying to identify the rare medium green Fiesta. This is an inexcusable error. What really bothered me as well is that in their price guide, they include older versions of this book! They proclaim that the book itself has become very collectable. I don't know about that, but I found it unprofessional. As the best book out there, you have to get this if you want a Fiesta book, but they should be more careful with editing. The caption errors are inexcusable. By the way, I find that most books by Collector Books suffer from this poor quality control.


Very good, but vague in a very few instances   August 31, 1999
 3 out of 13 found this review helpful

Hi Folks: Having recently read your edition, ther are a few questions. On pg.18, plate#1, the dia. of the salad bowl was given, but not the hgt.. Is this signifcant? Also, in looking at the price list(pg.#216) I noticed the listing of another salad bowl of uncertain price, and no other identifying or distinguishing information. Are any such differences available? One last question, in your price listings, if no number follows the asterisks(*), is this to be considered 1? I am just getting involved in Fiesta collecting, and can certainly use this information.Your response would certainly be appreciated. John Griesdorn.


If you collect Fiesta, this is a must have.   June 27, 1999
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

No book that I have come across goes into as much detail when it comes to Fiesta dinnerware. The quality and quantity of the photos increase with every new edition of this book. The current (8th) edition is by far the best. The book also covers several other very popular Homer Laughlin China lines in lesser detail and includes a very complete price guide.


An excellent history and price guide for HLC China.   June 23, 1999
 23 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is the definitive guide to HLC China and related ephermera. The major focus is on Fiesta, but most, if not all, identified lines of dinnerware are listed and discussed to some extent. In addition to the lenghthy section on Fiesta, the sections on Harlequin, Century/Riviera, and decorated Mexican lines are especially informative as is the section discussing HLC's contribution to the 1939 NYC World Exposition. I hope that the Huxfords are researching the lines not so fully discussed so that future updates become more comprehensive. The authors' writing style is folksy,occasionally silly, and quite accurate other than a half-a-handful of errors in labelling the illustrations, which are marvelously colorful except for a few dark examples which should be redone for the 9th edition (which I am eagerly awaiting). While the listed values provide a general guideline to pricing, I would say that many, perhaps most, items are underpriced - at least compared to the prices that I have encountered in TX, WV, MD, and LA. Overall, the book is informative, well- written, beautifully illustrated, and worth the read for HLC dinnerware collectors, admirers, and the like.