Beads of the World

THIS GUY KNOWS BEADS. A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK, AND PRICE GUIDE.

After 20 years working in Africa and collecting beads, I find this the best book of its type for people actually going into African markets, American bead shows, and flea markets looking to buy rare or collectible beads. It is not the right book for someone who doesn't yet know the basics about where and how the major types of beads are/were fabricated, how they have traveled, and the ethnographics associated with their past and present uses. (For those subjects, try Dubin, J. Allen, Liu, Picard, and Beckworth's Africa Adorned.) But for ballpark pricing, comparisons, and availability, there's nothing better in print.

I boughtthis book for my mom - she was getting really into hunting for beads (and buttons but that's another story) at yard sales, antique stores etc. She didn't really know what she was buying - just what she liked - so I bought this book for her about a year ago and she has loved it ever since. There are a lot of pictures, descriptions and background info on the different types of beads. If nothing else, it has provided a good foundation for her in her hunt for more beads so she knows a little more about the types/styles to look for (in addition to just what she happend to like)

I am a bead dealer, and I have about 15 books on beads. This is, hands down, the one I use most. When I look for information on a bead, I am more likely to find it in this book than anywhere else. If you get only one book on beads, make it this one.

A fine book to get into the basics of bead identifacation, collecting, history and methods of manufacture. Oloff, the bead hoarder says: "Ouf Da! I'm glad all those antique dealers have not found this great little guide!" Price lists are allways interesting and never reliable, this is the case with this book. Very worthwile, lot of great info and pics, lots cheaper than those BIG books.