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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: 1980s

Here come Santa Clauses…from Sears
Posted on November 30, 2017November 26, 2017

Sears Wishbook, 1983
Here come Santa Clauses…from Sears

Sears Wishbook 1983: Who knew – Santa comes in different versions! Leave it to Sears to include a thoughtful comparison chart which lets you determine which jolly old Elf you can afford… Continue reading Here come Santa Clauses…from Sears

Into the Pit!
Posted on October 5, 2017October 22, 2017

HES Software, 1984
Into the Pit!

Is there an irony in using a printed catalog to promote computer games? From the 21st-century viewpoint, certainly yes. In 1984 Human Engineeered Software climbed to a peak from which there was nowhere to go but down…. Continue reading Into the Pit!

How to Shoot Video, 1984-style
Posted on August 28, 2017October 22, 2017

Montgomery-Ward, 1984
How to Shoot Video, 1984-style

A new iPhone is being announced in a few weeks. It may cost close to $1000. A lot of money? Consider how much your iPhone does. Then consider just the function of video recording as it existed in 1984… Continue reading How to Shoot Video, 1984-style

At least 20 hours a week of captioned programs!
Posted on July 20, 2017March 28, 2018

Sears, 1980
At least 20 hours a week of captioned programs!

It’s hard to appreciate how many modern conveniences, particularly of the electronic variety, began their lives so awkwardly. This Sears-Exclusive device brought closed-captioning to your existing TV for the not-insignificant price of $249… Continue reading At least 20 hours a week of captioned programs!

The Original Pocketable Computer
Posted on May 11, 2017March 28, 2018

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The Original Pocketable Computer

Radio Shack Computer Catalog, 1980. Oh sure, your iPhone or Galaxy is about a million times faster, and stores a several gazillion times more stuff, and has color displays and cameras and wireless connectivity and more apps installed than you can even remember , but you gotta start somewhere. And basically it started with this… Continue reading The Original Pocketable Computer

Shirts and Shorts for Contemporary Guys of 1980
Posted on May 1, 2017April 30, 2017

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Shirts and Shorts for Contemporary Guys of 1980

Styles come and styles go, and this bit of male fashion can stay gone. It’s hard to know what’s dated the worst: the embroidered-front knit shirt or the tight fringed denim shorts… Continue reading Shirts and Shorts for Contemporary Guys of 1980

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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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