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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: 1900s

The Season for Salisfy
Posted on March 12, 2018April 9, 2018

D.M. Ferry, 1908
The Season for Salisfy

D.M. Ferry Seeds Almanac and Catalogue, 1908  / What the heck is “Salisfy”? Not only are some of the vegetables obscure, some of the spellings are too: “Spinage” and “Ruta Baga” look funny to modern eyes. But Ferry must know what they were writing about – in 1908 the company was already 52 years old. Thriving, too… Continue reading The Season for Salisfy

Amusement for Profit: The Movies Begin
Posted on March 4, 2018

Amusement Supply Catalog, 1906
Amusement for Profit: The Movies Begin

In 1906, the aspiring young entrepreneur could turn to a catalog like this and consider a career showing pictures – pictures that moved! Continue reading Amusement for Profit: The Movies Begin

Combs no one would part with
Posted on February 5, 2018June 2, 2018

Siegel-Cooper, 1908
Combs no one would part with

1908 was a time when ladies’ hair was piled high and finding the right “back comb” to add to it was an important choice… Continue reading Combs no one would part with

High Style and High Heat
Posted on January 22, 2018January 21, 2018

Sears Stoves, 1903
High Style and High Heat

Ever wonder where the Coyote bought his ACME products? Possibly from Sears. An “Acme Ventiduct” certainly sounds like a product he would order to catch the Roadrunner… Continue reading High Style and High Heat

Meat by Mail
Posted on August 31, 2017October 22, 2017

John Smyth, 1909
Meat by Mail

John B Smyth was a Chicago wholesaler of nearly everything you would need to stock a turn-of-the-20th-century general store. They offered tinned foods, teas, cigars, chocolates, soaps, dried fruits, housewares, shoe polish – even “Rump Butt Beef”…. Continue reading Meat by Mail

Every home deserves an organ
Posted on July 13, 2017October 22, 2017

Sears, 1903
Every home deserves an organ

One hundred and fifteen years ago, it was understood by one and all that finer homes deserved having a reed organ in their parlor. If you wanted music, you had to play it yourself… Continue reading Every home deserves an organ

125 Pounds of Provisions for $9.20
Posted on April 27, 2017April 27, 2017

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125 Pounds of Provisions for $9.20

Montgomery Ward Groceries and Bargains for November 1909  – Click to see all the goods you would be getting in closeup: rice, peas, coffee, sugar, syrup, raisins, tea, corn, spices, even soap, and, ummm, 10 pounds of prunes… Continue reading 125 Pounds of Provisions for $9.20

The Hammacher Schlemmer Chest Handle
Posted on April 10, 2017April 6, 2017

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The Hammacher Schlemmer Chest Handle

Hammacher Schlemmer proudly points out they’ve been around since 1848, started printing catalogs in 1881, and are still going strong with them. But you won’t find this item in their current catalogs. Continue reading The Hammacher Schlemmer Chest Handle

Spring Fashions for 1905: $2.95 and $3.95
Posted on March 31, 2017April 2, 2017

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Spring Fashions for 1905: $2.95 and $3.95

Siegel-Cooper sales catalog, 1905 / Women were certainly thinner then… Continue reading Spring Fashions for 1905: $2.95 and $3.95

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We're celebrating all the abundance and excitement found in vintage 20th century American catalogs: the exotic, the fashionable, the surprising, the latest, the coolest, the cheapest, the oddest, the choices.

Not just Sears and Montgomery Wards, You could buy anything from a catalog in the 20th century: from a box of raisins to a house, from a computer to a car, from a billy club to an inflatable brassiere. The old-time printed catalogues which arrived in the mailbox showed the 20th-century American Consumer just how to consume.

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