Choosing between two antiquarian collectible reference books usually comes down to what you actually want to identify. Here the choice sits between a 1998 hardcover tracing vintage hats and bonnets from 1770 to 1970 and a hardcover guide to Fostoria glass shapes. The Vintage Hats and Bonnets book is listed at $12.49. The Fostoria guide is listed at $10.40. This head-to-head compares their topics, formats, and which collector each one fits.
Quick Verdict
Pick Vintage Hats and Bonnets: 1770-1970 if your collection leans toward millinery and costume history. It is an illustrated hardcover that covers a full 200-year span. Pick Fostoria: An Identification and Value Guide if your focus is pressed, blown, or hand-molded Fostoria glassware. It is a specialized hardcover and the lower-priced option at $10.40.
Head-to-head at a Glance
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Best For | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Hats and Bonnets: 1770-1970 | USD 12.49 | Millinery and historical dress research | 1998 hardcover, Illustrator: Yes, Original/Facsimile: Original | |
| Fostoria: An Identification and Value Guide | USD 10.40 | Fostoria glass identification | Hardcover, Topics: Glass & Glassware, ISBN 9780891455646 |
Where Vintage Hats and Bonnets Wins
- 200-year chronological coverage of hats and bonnets, from 1770 to 1970.
- Listed as an illustrated hardcover, so it suits collectors who want visual reference material.
- The listing describes the inside pages as clean and unmarked.
Where Fostoria Wins
- Focuses specifically on Fostoria, with topics listed as Glass & Glassware, General, Antiques & Collectibles.
- Has the lower listed price of the two books.
- The ISBN 9780891455646 identifies it as a Collector Books edition.
Product Notes
Vintage Hats and Bonnets: 1770-1970
This 1998 Collector Books hardcover maps two centuries of millinery. It is marked as illustrated and original/facsimile Original, so it reads as an original reference volume rather than a reproduction. The listing notes very light scratches and scuff marks on the cover plus a small tear near the edge; the inside pages are clean and unmarked. At $12.49, it is the higher-priced of the two listed books. Choose it when your collecting interest centers on historical headwear and you want a broad chronological survey of bonnets and hats.
Fostoria: An Identification and Value Guide
This Fostoria hardcover is a topic-specific reference, with categories listed as Glass & Glassware, General, Antiques & Collectibles. Its ISBN matches the Collector Books edition. It is the lower-priced title at $10.40, and the listing describes a well-cared-for item with all pages legible and included; there may be minor wear and slight markings or highlighting. Choose it when you need a focused guide to pressed, blown, and hand-molded Fostoria shapes. It is less useful if your interest is fashion or costume history.
Final Choice by Use Case
If you collect or identify Fostoria glass patterns, choose Fostoria: An Identification and Value Guide for its specialized coverage and its lower listed price of $10.40. If you are building a millinery reference library or want an illustrated historical overview, choose Vintage Hats and Bonnets: 1770-1970 at $12.49.
