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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Berry’s berries, melons, clover, and…
Posted on June 9, 2020

Berry Seed Company, 1930
Berry’s berries, melons, clover, and…

Berry Seed Company, 1930 Seed catalogs have been a staple of American catalogs since as long as catalogs have been around. This depression-era example is aimed squarely at the working farmer. While there are a few pages of roses and flowers, this catalog is really focussed on cash crops. With a name like “Berry Seed”, … Continue reading Berry’s berries, melons, clover, and…

Really into Leather
Posted on June 2, 2020June 1, 2020

Tandy Leather Company, 1961
Really into Leather

Mention the name “Tandy” and people think of RadioShack. But the Tandy family was also really into leather… Continue reading Really into Leather

Pity Poor Penney’s
Posted on May 19, 2020May 19, 2020

J. C. Penney, 1969
Pity Poor Penney’s

And now J.C. Penney has filed for bankruptcy. Let’s look back to happier times, when all was golden & groovy. Continue reading Pity Poor Penney’s

How to Keep the Kids Occupied at Home
Posted on May 12, 2020

Montgomery Ward, 1916
How to Keep the Kids Occupied at Home

Let’s imagine that it’s 1916, not 2020, and you and the kids are quarantined at home. How can you keep everyone occupied? Continue reading How to Keep the Kids Occupied at Home

The Simple Joys of Life on the Farm
Posted on May 5, 2020May 5, 2020

Montgomery Ward, 1961
The Simple Joys of Life on the Farm

Coronavirus is making many of us reflect on the possibilities inherent in the simpler, self-sufficient romantic life of the farmer. Let’s check that out, shall we? Continue reading The Simple Joys of Life on the Farm

Forgeries and Treasures
Posted on April 28, 2020

J. Peterman, 1992
Forgeries and Treasures

J. Peterman Booty, Spoils & Plunder, 1992 It takes real chutzpah to sell something in a catalog and admit it’s a forgery, but John Peterman did it in this 1992 catalog. Then again, J. Peterman “Booty, Spoils & Plunder” was no ordinary catalog, and John Peterman is no ordinary copywriter. Not only are these Chinese … Continue reading Forgeries and Treasures

Old School. Really Old School.
Posted on April 21, 2020

Sears Roebuck, 1934
Old School. Really Old School.

Like, the 1934 school year – that old. Here are some early ancestors of today’s peak sneaker era of Air Jordans and Yeezys. Continue reading Old School. Really Old School.

What 50s Teenage Boys Rebelled Against.
Posted on April 7, 2020

Montgomery Ward, 1959
What 50s Teenage Boys Rebelled Against.

1959 may well have the dorkiest era of the 20th century for boys clothes… Continue reading What 50s Teenage Boys Rebelled Against.

Mid-Century on a Platter
Posted on April 1, 2020

Wm. C. Mithoefer, 1959
Mid-Century on a Platter

I see these melamine plates and fantasize about throwing the kind of cocktail parties my parents once did, all early-60s Pink Hyacinth and Tropicana Turquoise. Continue reading Mid-Century on a Platter

Virus got you? Sears ships you the cure.
Posted on March 23, 2020March 23, 2020

Sears Roebuck, 1903
Virus got you? Sears ships you the cure.

Starting to develop a worrisome cough? What you need, Sir or Madame, is Dr. Hammond’s Tar Expectorant. It cures influenza and dozens of other ailments with equal efficacy… Continue reading Virus got you? Sears ships you the cure.

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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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