Sears, 1932
Depression Expression
Would you really “make the kiddies happy” showing up in a “heavily waxed” Santa mask? I think this is just one step away from a scary clown. Continue reading Depression Expression
Category: The Wish Book
Sears, 1932
National Bella Hess, 1961
“As Seen on TV!”
Sears had no lock on Christmas catalogs that children would covet. Here’s a couple of thin-paper pages from 1961 with toys that any mid-century video-besotted-kid would want. Continue reading “As Seen on TV!”
Johnson-Smith Novelty, 1940
Learn to Dance! Learn to Hypnotize!
There’s a really interesting juxtaposition on these two adjacent pages. On the left, men and women can learn to dance. On the right, you could try hypnotizing people and convincing them to foxtrot… Continue reading Learn to Dance! Learn to Hypnotize!
Sears, 1993
A Catalog of Catalogs
1993 Sears Roebuck Spring/Summer Catalog Last week, Sears announced another 60+ stores would soon be shuttered. But 25 years ago Sears seemed on top of the world. This 1993 catalog was ridiculously massive – over 1550 pages. By contrast, “War and Peace” was only 1225 pages! The index covered everything from abrasives to wrist weights. … Continue reading A Catalog of Catalogs
Sears, 1931
When Camera Meant Kodak
Once upon a time, and for a very long period of time, you could use the word “Kodak” as either a noun or a verb and folks knew exactly what you meant. That’s how ubiquitous the brand was in the days of analog, film-based photography… Continue reading When Camera Meant Kodak
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
Neiman-Marcus, 1961
Platinum, Diamonds, and Ermine for Christmas
This 1961 Christmas catalog from Neiman Marcus, the Texas based luxury department store didn't have His and Hers gifts or a Cessna airplane like the previous year's edition. But it did have luxury in abundance… Continue reading Platinum, Diamonds, and Ermine for Christmas
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…
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
Sears Christmas Wishbook, 1958
A New Kind of Christmas Tree
Definition of a fad: you’re lookin’ at it. A Nylon Christmas Tree. “Thousands” of families made or bought them for a little while in the late 1950s. Continue reading A New Kind of Christmas Tree