Young Adult Non-Fiction Art History Textbook Reference Guide Antiques & Collectibles Fashion & Costume Design Hobbies & Crafts
DK Collector’s Guide: Costume Jewellery is the hard-cover bible that vintage-fashion hunters, Etsy sellers and auction-room regulars keep within arm’s reach. Published in 2003 by the design-led team at DK and written by antiques guru Judith Miller, this 200-plus page reference packs thousands of high-resolution photographs—front, back, clasp, mark—into a single, easy-to-navigate volume. From 1920s Chanel gripoix to 1960s Kenneth Lane and 1980s Moschino, every era’s most collectible pieces are arranged chronologically and cross-referenced with factory signatures, materials and current market ranges, turning instant identification and pricing into a five-minute flip rather than an evening of guess-work.
What makes this copy especially appealing is its immaculate, very-good condition: crisp, unmarked pages, no ex-library stamps, no inscriptions, no smoke odours and no dog-eared corners. Because the book was only released in hardback, collectors often find shelf-worn ex-library copies; a clean, privately owned example like this is becoming scarce and holds its value far better than later reprints. The sewn binding lays flat for quick side-by-side comparison while you examine jewels at fairs or photograph items for online listings, and the laminated boards resist ring-stains and scuffs that usually plague field guides.
Beyond the visuals, Miller’s text is a crash-course in fashion history: she explains how the Great Depression sparked diamanté innovation, why WWII metal shortages led to sterling vermeil, and how post-war Hollywood propelled rhinestones into mainstream glamour. Side-bars decode jewellery patents, spot reproductions and give tips on safe storage, making the book equally useful to dealers, stylists and young adults building a first collection. Whether you’re valuing heirlooms, sourcing stock or simply hunting a statement brooch to wear, this DK Collector’s Guide turns curiosity into confident expertise—no other single title covers the breadth and depth of costume jewellery with such authority and photographic precision.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.