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The Catalog Blog

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Category: 1950s

“It’s just what I wanted!”
Posted on May 6, 2019May 5, 2019

Spencer Gifts, 1954
“It’s just what I wanted!”

Spencer Gifts, 1954 “What shall we get Aunt Gladys? A square foot of Texas… a burro.. or a shoe rack?” Spencer Gifts, long the ubiquitous merchant of weird gifts in malls across the country (such malls as still remain, anyway) once purveyed their gifts via catalogs like this 1954 edition. On the front cover, for … Continue reading “It’s just what I wanted!”

A Toast to Toasters
Posted on April 22, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1951
A Toast to Toasters

You wouldn’t remember this, but once upon a time banks used to give you a toaster when you opened a new bank account. Why a toaster? Well, why not? Continue reading A Toast to Toasters

Lassie by mail
Posted on April 11, 2019

Spiegel, 1959
Lassie by mail

The pet most kids wanted for Christmas in 1959 was a collie, and you can thank the TV show “Lassie” for that. But ordering one from a catalog? Continue reading Lassie by mail

Three Chairs
Posted on March 25, 2019March 26, 2019

Sweet's Interior Design File, 1970
Three Chairs

Three groups of chairs by three different designers, from three different eras, yet all irresistibly modern… Continue reading Three Chairs

Getting overheated over a Coldspot
Posted on January 31, 2019February 4, 2019

Sears, 1954
Getting overheated over a Coldspot

In catalogs, major kitchen appliances can make women literally dance with joy. This housewife is doing the tarantella with a strawberry shortcake thanks to her Coldspot… Continue reading Getting overheated over a Coldspot

New Organ = New Life
Posted on January 4, 2019January 3, 2019

Spiegel, 1959
New Organ = New Life

Not in any medical sense. This is the “family that plays together, stays together” sense. Continue reading New Organ = New Life

That wraps up another Christmas
Posted on December 24, 2018December 23, 2018

F W Woolworth, 1957
That wraps up another Christmas

Christmas wrap, that is. And Christmas cards. And stocking stuffers… Continue reading That wraps up another Christmas

Just like what Dad Wears
Posted on November 5, 2018November 5, 2018

Sears, 1950
Just like what Dad Wears

Welcome to Boysville – Mid-century Sears modern. Continue reading Just like what Dad Wears

Mother’s Little Helpers
Posted on October 18, 2018October 17, 2018

Spiegel, 1959
Mother’s Little Helpers

Americans, we love our medicines. That sounds strange, but we have always looked to nostrums like these that could cure us of our ills. Continue reading Mother’s Little Helpers

What Makes a Woman Swoon?
Posted on October 4, 2018January 31, 2019

Top Value Stamps, 1957
What Makes a Woman Swoon?

“Heavily Silverplated Flatware”, evidently. Just look at her rapturous gaze! Continue reading What Makes a Woman Swoon?

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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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