SCHIFFER BOOK FOR COLLECTORS ( – serie

From the time of its appearance in 1939 the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was one of the best fighter aircraft of the Second World War—a masterpiece produced by chief designer Kurt Tank. In 1943 Tank developed a new fighter aircraft based on this successful concept. The project soon deviated far from the original Fw 190 concept and as an honor to the designer it was designated the Ta 152. The great performance potential of this fighter was obvious from the very first prototypes of the Ta 152A and Ta 152C. Unfortunately, however, production was limited to a few examples. But at the same time Focke-Wulf was developing the Ta 152H high-altitude fighter which, powered by the Jumo 213E and equipped with a pressurized cockpit, was capable of reaching altitudes on the order of 35,000 feet and speeds in excess of 430 mph. A few Ta 152Hs saw action at the beginning of 1945 and they made an excellent impression on their pilots. Compared to the older fighters they exhibited significantly better flight characteristics and performance at high altitude. The Ta 152 could also stand up to the best Allied fighter aircraft, such as the American P-51 Mustang. On account of its unfamiliar shape the pilots of Bf 109s sometimes mistook it for an enemy aircraft and attacked. The heavy Allied bombing at the end of the war prevented production from beginning as planned, and as a result only a very few Ta 152Hs could be delivered. With the aid of a large number of photographs—including previously unpublished—and drawings, this book details the development history of the Ta 152, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft of its day. But it also illustrates the hopelessness of Germany’s efforts late in the war to deploy advanced aircraft in large numbers.

The very popular, high quality tinplate toys of the mid-20th century from Nuremberg, Germany, are discussed in a historical setting in this delightful book. The chapters include 300 color photographs, information about the manufacturers(especially Schuco and Bing) and their markings, and essays on the past, present and future of this special toy industry. The mechanical figures, automobiles, trucks, trains, machines and associated buildings that are presented will remind many of the best toys of their youth. They are avidly collected today. Many of the toys shown are from superb private collections and the Toy Museum of Nuremberg.

The teddy bear turns 100 this year! Celebrate the origins of the delightful toy bears that have charmed adults and children around the world for a century. Here are stories and over 350 color photographs of some of the most important people, events, and bears that have contributed to Teddy's enormous popularity. Theodore Roosevelt who inspired the toy bears in 1902, Seymour Eaton who wrote Roosevelt Bears stories from 1905 to 1909, Margarete Steiff who created bears in 1912, Peter Bull who wrote the nostalgic and inspiring Teddy Bear Book in 1969, and many others are featured with historical information about their importance to the bears. Designers, manufacturers, and collectors all will be enthusiastic about this sumptuous parade of the world's most charming bears. Happy Birthday Teddy!