Toronto - Stories about antiques and art are rich in history and offer hours of pleasurable reading. The objects themselves are physically captivating. High quality illustrations often accompany the text and are top in detail and color.

Here are a few of my favorite picks:

Reference and price guides are a sure bet for collectors. Among the most popular are those written by Ralph and Terry Kovel (Crown Publishers).

The Kovels are perhaps the most prolific antique experts writing on the subject today, and you'll be able to find a host of offerings including their Know Your Collectibles; Kovel on Antiques and Collectibles; Kovel Bottles Price List; and some 60 other titles. They are easy to find in nearly every bookstore (and on the web), as well as being easy to read and reliable to use.

Warman's Price Guides are also excellent in this category. Published by Wallace Homestead, Warman's Antiques and Their Prices has issued its 34th edition this year, and the company has also introduced guides about specific categories as well.

I have used Warman's Antique Guides for years, and in recent years I have incorporated some of Kovels' books as well.

Two internationally famous price guides from England are also worthy candidates for purchase. Both are, however, large, expensive, and somewhat difficult to find in Canada or the U.S.

The first is The Art Sales Index celebrating its 32nd anniversary edition. The 2,800-page, two-volume set is known as "The Bible of the art market," and comes to the aid of those who are interested in selling in the auction market. It lists over 85,000 sales results.

Miller's International Price Guide is now in its 22nd edition as a best seller. When I was traveling to England yearly to buy antiques I found Miller's books on antiques indispensable.

I still have quite a number of them, and use them all the time both as a reference book and for appraisals. it is, however, a large book with hundreds of illustrations, and quite expensive. I would guess it to be in the $40 to $70 range in the US or Canada , at any of the larger bookstores such as Books-A-Million.

Three new titles that are offshoots of Miller's Guide have just been released in a series called Miller's Antique checklist, including volumes on the topics Art Nouveau; Dolls and Teddy Bears; and Clocks. Judith Miller, the author, states collecting is simply a matter of experience, and knowing how to ask the right questions.

Now, with these guides in hand she suggests, "Treat the book as a knowledgeable companion as you go around to auction houses and antique shops." The fully illustrated guides offer fast and accurate checklists for recognizing, dating and estimating the value of antiques to which they refer. It's an interesting and unique approach.

In closing, I can only state that there are numerous books on antiques, collectibles and art (Collector Books and LW-Books literally have thousands of titles available). The books I have mentioned clearly only represent the tip of the iceberg. But take heart; if you start with a number of good books (including those offered in the Asheford program!), you will be well on your way to becoming a knowledgeable collector if you use them assiduously.