Antique Combs & Purses

Published by Gallery Graphics Press, PO Box 5457, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921. A comprehensive reference for collectors, costume designers, museums, and antique dealers. Haertig covers the evolution of the purse, the role of manufacturers, construction techniques, popular patterns and materials, preservation and restoration hints, personalities involved in purse design and manufacture, museum and collector rarities, the influence of the Venetian bead industry, celebrities and their purses (from Mary Queen of Scots to Donna Summers). Includes almost 900 illustrations, about two-thirds of them in color. The research is serious and thorough, the writing clear; and the production values--color, paper stock, design--exemplary. A formidable achievement (and investment), particularly for a small press. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR