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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: Kids

Christmas Toys for Girls, and Boys
Posted on December 21, 2017December 20, 2017

Sears Christmas Catalog, 1937
Christmas Toys for Girls, and Boys

Just look at this early Sears Christmas Wish Book from 1937, and note how clear is the dividing line between the sexes. Children were given unmistakeable guidance about their roles in life… Continue reading Christmas Toys for Girls, and Boys

A long time ago in a catalog far far away…
Posted on December 14, 2017December 13, 2017

Sears Christmas Wishbook, 1983
A long time ago in a catalog far far away…

For forty years there’s been a Star Wars movie that’s either just been released or about to be released. So it is this year, and so it was at Christmas 1983 when “Return of the Jedi” was still in theaters…. Continue reading A long time ago in a catalog far far away…

Barbie’s World
Posted on December 7, 2017December 6, 2017

Sears Christmas Wishbook, 1983
Barbie’s World

Sears Wishbook 1983: See Barbie. See Ken. See Barbie’s Western Star Traveller RV. Drive, Barbie Drive. Drive to your Barbie McDonalds. Welcome to Barbie’s world. Continue reading Barbie’s World

Give your kid a gun for Christmas
Posted on November 16, 2017November 15, 2017

Sears Wishbook, 1958
Give your kid a gun for Christmas

We’re talking about a toy gun, to be sure. But compared to our current world, where guns and what to do with them have become a flashpoint of fevered opinions and arguments, it’s breathtaking to behold how different things were 60 years ago. Continue reading Give your kid a gun for Christmas

For Young Debs and Twixteens
Posted on November 9, 2017November 8, 2017

Joseph Horne, 1956
For Young Debs and Twixteens

Twixteen: a nice portmanteau which has utterly vanished from everyday language. In both photos and the illustrations, these are charming mid-century debs and twixteens, seemingly straight out of black and white television sitcoms… Continue reading For Young Debs and Twixteens

Flown clear out of sight
Posted on October 19, 2017October 22, 2017

Monogram Models, 1951
Flown clear out of sight

Kids today play different than they used to. There was a time when boys would be expected to build scale models. Back then every neighborhood seemed to have a local hobby show, a quality scale model plane could be bought for $4.95, and you could ask your Father to help … Continue reading Flown clear out of sight

Every Boy Wants Whoopee Pants!
Posted on October 16, 2017October 22, 2017

Sears, 1931
Every Boy Wants Whoopee Pants!

Every Boy Wants “Whoopee” Pants, the headline says. But do they really? Did they, in 1931? According to Sears it was the latest fad, promising swagger! swank! color! style! Continue reading Every Boy Wants Whoopee Pants!

Better Living through Chemistry
Posted on September 11, 2017October 22, 2017

AC Gilbert, 1964
Better Living through Chemistry

For the budding scientist, 6 feet of chemistry experiments! This 1964 set encourages experiments in Electro-Chemistry, Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis, Metallurgy and Chromatography. Oh boy, what fun! Continue reading Better Living through Chemistry

Boys and their Toys
Posted on July 17, 2017October 22, 2017

Higginbotham-Pearlstone Hardware, 1939
Boys and their Toys

It’s 1939, and your father drives a convertible Nash coupe. What do you want for your birthday? A pedal car that looks just like Dad’s! Continue reading Boys and their Toys

A Train…of Thought
Posted on June 5, 2017June 4, 2017

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A Train…of Thought

Nowadays, from our 21st-century vantage point, it’s virtually impossible to grasp the imagination and excitement that trains once sparked in American lives. This Lionel catalog was profusely illustrated on every page. And the operative word IS illustrated – no boy’s train set ever looked this good. Continue reading A Train…of Thought

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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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