PY/Miyao Fun Kitchen Collectibles

Finally a book that really explains who's behind the 'Made In Japan' stamp found on our vintage ceramic pieces. Lefton, E.S.D., NAPCO, Enesco, Mikasa -- if you're a collector of any of these company products, just go ahead and buy the book now. You'll eventually get it and you might as well start enjoying the PY/Miyao book now!

I know sometimes I get carried away with a new book, but I really don't give very many five stars out. PY/Miyao probably deserves even a few more than that.

Author Belinda Euans has done a super job with this colorful, well-produced book. The pictures and history of the company, short histories of the well-known distributors, and pages of marks take up the first thirty pages of the book. Then the fun starts.

As you can imagine, looking at pages of smiling pottery faces can only put one in a good mood. So I grinned back as I checked the book out. Chapters include Woolworth's Veggie People and Flower Faces; United's Rooster and Roses, Oh My Fly Chef and Veggie Kids; Lefton's Blue Bird, Dainty MIss and Toodle; Apple and Pear faces from Borgfeldt.

All pictures are referenced with the mark, size and value. Euans explains early in the book how she arrived at the various values and also gives her thoughts on how items should be classified. "...in order for an item to be mint it has to come straight off the assembly line, otherwise it cannot possibly be in mint condition". I think that's a perfect description of the term Mint.