Hidden Treasures: Signed Costume Jewelry

When many people think of rhinestone jewelry, they think of gaudy, cheap junk. Gaudy? Undoubtedly. But cheap? Collectors know that signed pieces of costume jewelry can fetch up to $1,000 each, depending on brand and condition. The two volumes in the Hidden Treasures: Signed Costume Jewelry series show examples of many different "makes and models," from recognizable names like Chanel and Christian Dior, to lesser-known but even more influential firms like Coro, Corocraft, and Vendome. Viewers will see a wide variety of jewelry, from the omnipresent pins and earrings to more unusual pieces like "duettes" (twin dress clips) and even a complete parure of tiara, necklace, and earrings. Despite the subtitle of "A Collector's Guide to Antique and Vintage Jewelry of the 19th and 20th Centuries," all of the featured pieces here date from the 1920's onward. Jewelry historian Marcia Brown (who looks and sounds like Madeline Albright) presents a brief history of each jewelry-making firm with examples of their work borrowed from collectors around the country. Extensive price guides at the end of each tape (with a really annoying generic music track played over and over) will be of added interest to public library viewers. Recommended for larger collections. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)