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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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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

The seedlings of a new century
Posted on January 1, 2019December 31, 2018

Everitt Seeds, 1900
The seedlings of a new century

To start the new year, a catalog from the very start of a new century – January 1900 Continue reading The seedlings of a new century

Simpler Skis and Skates
Posted on December 27, 2018December 26, 2018

Montgomery Ward, 1939
Simpler Skis and Skates

“Hmmmph – kids today! Why, in my day, if you wanted to ski, you went down and ripped pine planks from the sides of a neighbor’s house and nailed them to your feet!”… Continue reading Simpler Skis and Skates

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

The Trouble with Tech
Posted on December 20, 2018December 19, 2018

Sears, 1992
The Trouble with Tech

Who doesn’t love the idea of getting the latest tech as a holiday gift? And yet… Continue reading The Trouble with Tech

Where are the fruitcakes of yesteryear?
Posted on December 18, 2018

Sears, 1992
Where are the fruitcakes of yesteryear?

I hadn’t realized Sears sold fruitcakes at Christmas as late as 1992… Continue reading Where are the fruitcakes of yesteryear?

Christmas 1961: One for the Boys
Posted on December 13, 2018

White's, 1961
Christmas 1961: One for the Boys

Unlike girls, boys did have lots of career options in 1961. But they did face death. Continue reading Christmas 1961: One for the Boys

Girls’ Gifts: Gender Definitions for 1961
Posted on December 10, 2018

White's, 1961
Girls’ Gifts: Gender Definitions for 1961

If there were any doubt about how strongly gender roles and expectations were once ingrained in American lives, this 1961 White’s Christmas catalog should remove all doubt. Continue reading Girls’ Gifts: Gender Definitions for 1961

His and Hers, Hides and Furs
Posted on December 6, 2018December 6, 2018

Neiman-Marcus, 1976
His and Hers, Hides and Furs

In 1976, the year of America’s bicentennial, Neiman-Marcus hit a perfect note for their his and hers gift – real live Buffalos. Continue reading His and Hers, Hides and Furs

Depression Expression
Posted on December 3, 2018

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

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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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