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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
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…
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
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
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
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, 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!
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
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
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
