No, I did not know him personally. But I enjoy these books by him:
Barbie Doll Around the World Identification and Values 1964-2007. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2007.
Barbie Doll Collector's Editions Identification and Values. 2008 Edition. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2008.
Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives Identification and Values. Third Edition. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2005.
I LOVE seeing fashion dolls online, but holding a clean, crisp doll reference book - now that is delightful. I can curl up with such a book. I enjoy seeing photographs of dolls I have and dolls I do not have. Having the dolls, being able to touch them in the vinyl is best, yes. Eh, but there is something soothing about turning pages and soaking in the visuals. That's a a nice pre-sleep activity - because it takes me away from the computer screen, the television, work activities, and more intense reading. I thank the talented authors like the late Mr. Augustyniak who allow me to have this experience. This post is my tribute to him.
Additional books he has written and provided photography for include:
Barbie Boom: Identification and Values
(This last one I intend to buy someday: it has the Young Sweethearts and other playscale but NOT directly Barbie-related dolls.)
For additional information about Mr. Augustyniak, please see these websites:
Collectorbook author biography, scroll to the second entry (web page dated 2007)
Fort Wayne, Indiana Journal Gazette Interview, August 16, 2008
You can sign the legacy book for Mr. Augustyniak online if you wish. May he rest in peace. My sympathy to his family.
5 comments:
I read about his passing yesterday. I have the last title that you plan to purchase.
dbg
Hi DBG! Thanks for your comment. Do you find the title you mention helpful? I am not eager to get it soon - dolls come before books for me - but I'm curious if there is a lot of information about playscale dolls. Thanks for any feedback about it ;-)
I remember seeing a Barbie photo book when I was in college. It was full of fashions by Bob Mackie, Nolan Miller, Christian Lacroix and the like. It makes me wonder now if it was one of his books.
I purchased Thirty Years... after it was published in the late 1990s because it was discounted to $5. I didn't find it particularly helpful based on my doll interests at the time. It is stored in a file cabinet with other doll references that I never use. I recall that the majority of the dolls were play scale and I particularly remember his inclusion of the Shani line. I will have to revisit the book soon and share an updated assessment.
I also have the Barbie Doll Photo album, which is more helpful than Thirty Years. I did find that some dark skinned versions were omitted. I believe I wrote an Amazon.com review of this title.
I love doll books, too, but become frustrated when information I know exists has been overlooked.
dbg
Hi Muff and BDE! Thanks for commenting!
@Muff - That book could have been an Augustyniak book. Or it could have been another author's work. I vaguely recall seeing a doll sewing book that showed examples of designer fashions ;-P
@DBG - I admire how organized your books, etc. are. Thanks for your assessment of these two Augustyniak books. I'll look for your review at Amazon.com.
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