Search results for ""Author Mike Schneider""

Majolica has been receiving growing recognition as a ceramic collectible and has experienced a consequent growth in value. Here, author Mike Schneider presents a comprehensive look at this soft-bodied, brightly colored pottery with high-relief decoration and clear lead glaze. Amply illustrated with 170 rich color photographs, the various forms of Majolica are covered in detail. They include pitchers, platters, plates, leaf plates, syrups, sardine boxes and other covered pieces, cigarette holders, ashtrays, and humidors. Also included are cups, saucers, mugs and teapots, cakeplates, planters vases, and other items. Schneider traces Majolica's history from its roots in the 8th century to its emergence as a new form in London's Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851 and the following decades of popularity. Leading manufacturers are documented using the latest research.

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Behind the costumes, life isn’t always magic and fairy dust for the people who play the iconic characters of Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Cinderella at Walt Disney World. In a surprising tale of corruption alongside activism, Mickey and the Teamsters reveals the little-known story of Teamsters Local 385, the union that represents these performers. It spotlights Donna-Lynne Dalton, a former cast member who stood up for other Disney performers against deep-rooted problems in the union that was supposed to protect them.Journalist Mike Schneider, who covered the story as it unfolded, includes exclusive interviews with labor leaders and workers at the park, detailing how the union prevented its members from leaving, severely mismanaged union business, and promoted a culture of hostile leadership. Members of the Teamsters local felt that they no longer had a voice, fearing devastating consequences if they spoke up. But Dalton brought the issues to investigators in an act of whistleblowing that threatened her livelihood. In return, the local union fired Dalton and began harassing her and other union members who opposed its leaders. The story escalates as Schneider describes protests by the Disney performers and the interventions of James Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.Mickey and the Teamsters offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the hidden struggles that surround Disney World, which employs the largest single-site workforce in the United States. Through the efforts of Dalton and others to reform their union and improve the lives of employees at the workplace they loved, Schneider shows the importance of individual and collective action to hold unions accountable and preserve their potential to do good.

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Originally sold in five-and-ten-cent stores during the 1940s and 1950s, expertly modeled and colorfully decorated Royal Copley figurines, banks, planters, and other items have become one of today's hottest ceramic collectibles. In this first new book on the subject in 10 years, Mike Schneider uses more than 500 color photos to present 875 pieces of Royal Copley, including many previously unknown examples that have never appeared in a book before. Estimated values, based on the current market, are included in the captions, along with measurements and information about marks. Also included is a brief history of the Spaulding China Company, the Sebring, Ohio, pottery that manufactured Royal Copley. Whether you are a collector, historian, or simply someone who would like to take a nostalgic stroll through the decorative accessories of your parents' or grandparents' homes, you will find this latest volume in Schneider's repertoire of books on mid-twentieth century pottery a pleasing and important addition to your library.

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With more than 2,000 cookie jars illustrated in full color, this is the most complete book on the subject ever published. That helps explain the popularity of this encyclopedia, now in its fifth edition. It also contains extensive research, written by America's foremost authority, making it the definitive reference. The book is organized by both subject and by artists and companies, including the popular McCoy, American Bisque, Hull, and many others. Additionally, there is information on distributors, importers, and retailers, along with guidelines to condition, counterfeits, and production techniques. Additionally, an extensive index and current market values make this edition a must-have for collectors and dealers.

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The Grindley Artware Manufacturing Company made figural pottery in Sebring, Ohio, from 1933 until 1952. With 160 color photographs Mike Schneider guides the reader along the exciting paths of the Grindley menagerie of dogs, cats, horses and many other animals. An Art Deco donkey here, a natural looking dog there. Even a few of the rare Grindley people figurines appear, as do banks, pitchers, and salt and pepper shakers. Marks and measurements are given plus a price guide.

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From the 1930s to the 1960s numerous potteries in Southern California turned out some of the finest figural pottery ever made in America. For decades these beautiful wares lingered in obscurity, but now they have rocketed to the forefront of collectibility. They are illustrated here with over 800 color photographs covering more than 75 companies. Among them are companies such as Brayton Laguna, Kay Finch and Hedi Scoop. Lesser known companies like DeLee Art, Robert Simmons, and Walker-Renaker are represented too. Information about the potteries, tips for collectors, and a realistic price guide make this an indispensable book for collectors.

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Brightly colored Stangl Pottery earthenware bird figurines were made in New Jersey from the 1940s into the 1970s. The very similar Pennsbury birds were hatched in Pennsylvania during the 1950s by former Stangl employees. Today both companies' wares are eagerly sought by collectors in all parts of the country. In this first book of its kind, Mike Schneider shows the entire Stangle Birds of America series plus 60 examples of Pennsbury birds in beautiful individual color photos. There is also a chapter on the little known but highly desirable Stangl animal figures. This user-friendly book, in which the Stangl birds are listed by the model number, also includes an alphabetically arranged name index for complete and easy cross referencing and close up photos of marks. A price guide based on the current market makes this beautiful volume an invaluable tool for collectors and dealers.

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Thousands of collectors will rejoice in this new guide to the products of Ceramic Arts Studio in Wisconsin. From 1942 to 1955, the pottery focused on the production of slipcast figurines which are avidly collected today. In over 250 color photographs Mike Schneider captures the beauty and charm of these figurines, providing a reference that has long been needed by collectors. The photographs are accompanied by a wealth of useful information including the history of the company and hints on care, repair, preservation, valuing, fakes, and reproductions. The figurines are organized by type with sections on People, The Animal Kingdom, Fantasies, Posy Pots, and Decorating the Walls. A Price Guide is included.

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The largest, most comprehensive and colorful guide to salt and pepper shakers ever published! A companion volume to The Complete Cookie Jar Book, published in 1991. The Complete Salt and Pepper Shaker Book shows more than 1600 sets of figural shakers in full color. The collection includes those by American potteries such as Rosemeade and Ceramic Arts Studio that have never appeared in a book before. Company histories, measurements of shakers, and pictures of marks and paper labels are among the book's innovative features. As some salt and pepper shakers currently attract hundreds of dollars, this book is a must for collectors, dealers, and appraisers. Look inside, even if you have never held an interest in salt and pepper shakers before, and this book will open your eyes to a wonderful collectible. A price guide is included.

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While collecting small animal figures has been a popular hobby for some years, information about them has been scanty. Mike Schneider explores this popular collectibles field in depth. Included are figures produced by such well know firms as Frankoma and Royal Doulton, plus the works of lesser know but important artisans such as Chester Nicodemus and Howard Pierce. There are also generic chapters that cover animals by species: bears, cats, dogs, donkeys, deer, elephants, and many more. Included, too, is carnival chalkware, characters such as Mickey Mouse, and useful animal figures such as bottle openers and banks. Animals appear in all mediums from porcelain to peach pits, from brass to glass. Animal Figures is amply illustrated with more than 800 color photographs. A price guide is included.

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