Hidden Treasures: A Collector's Guide To Antique And Vintage Jewelry Of The 19th And 20th Centuries

Christie Romero, a collector, historian, and lecturer on antique jewelry, is the host for this dazzling guide to vintage jewelry from the 19th and 20th centuries. Following a brief introduction outlining the field and giving viewers a general idea of the collectibility and price ranges for vintage jewelry, Romero delves into the jewelry from the Victorian period (1840-1900), characterized by Scottish motifs and colorful hair lockets in the early romantic part of the period, and by black jet ornamentation following the death of Prince Albert. Next up is the Edwardian period (1900-1920) with its emphasis on art deco and streamline modern which introduced new materials like bakelite and lucite. For each period, Romero talks about significant characteristics of the jewelry, displays representative pieces from the period, and offers a brief commentary about societal, artistic, and/or fashion changes which gave rise to the changes in jewelry. Key designers are featured as well as jewelry from Mexico and Scandinavia. The tape concludes with suggestions for collecting antique jewelry and a price guide to several pieces shown and discussed during the program. An excellent introduction to the subject for novice collectors, Hidden Treasures is highly recommended. (Available from: Venture Entertainment Group, Inc., P.O. Box 55113, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413; (800) 688-8569.)