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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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“All Speeds from 1 to 25 Miles per Hour”
Posted on April 18, 2019

Sears Roebuck, 1909
“All Speeds from 1 to 25 Miles per Hour”

Once upon a time, Sears was so ambitious they built their own automobile: the “Sears Motor Buggy” Continue reading “All Speeds from 1 to 25 Miles per Hour”

Art (Deco) Supplies
Posted on April 15, 2019April 15, 2019

Dick Blick Co, 1933
Art (Deco) Supplies

During most of the 20th century you could earn a decent wage drawing hand-lettered advertisements. These 18 Show Cards are small masterpieces of Art Deco design which framed hand-lettered sales messages… Continue reading Art (Deco) Supplies

Lassie by mail
Posted on April 11, 2019

Spiegel, 1959
Lassie by mail

The pet most kids wanted for Christmas in 1959 was a collie, and you can thank the TV show “Lassie” for that. But ordering one from a catalog? Continue reading Lassie by mail

The Battle of the Century – SNES vs. Sega Genesis
Posted on April 8, 2019

Sears, 1992
The Battle of the Century – SNES vs. Sega Genesis

In the 1990s Mario loyalists were pitted against the Sonic crowd – the playground was bitterly divided over which videogame system was the best. Continue reading The Battle of the Century – SNES vs. Sega Genesis

Pulling the wool over your eyes (and other bits)
Posted on April 4, 2019April 3, 2019

Dr. Jaeger's Sanitary Woolen System, 1913
Pulling the wool over your eyes (and other bits)

Dr. Gustav Jaeger believed in the power of wool for practical clothing. It’s a long trip from the Dr. Jaeger’s “Sanatory Underwear” to the Jaeger fashion house of today… Continue reading Pulling the wool over your eyes (and other bits)

Victory for Locavores
Posted on April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

Vaughan's Seed Company, 1944
Victory for Locavores

Such a deal for spring! Eleven healthy vegetable seed packets and a basic growing guide for only a buck.=.. Continue reading Victory for Locavores

“We said it would – and it did”
Posted on March 28, 2019March 28, 2019

Meyer, Wise & Kaichen, 1913
“We said it would – and it did”

Want to move more men’s undies, Mr. Retailer? Continue reading “We said it would – and it did”

Three Chairs
Posted on March 25, 2019March 26, 2019

Sweet's Interior Design File, 1970
Three Chairs

Three groups of chairs by three different designers, from three different eras, yet all irresistibly modern… Continue reading Three Chairs

Spring and Summer Hats, in Assorted Colors
Posted on March 21, 2019April 2, 2019

Chicago Mail Order Millinery Company, 1900
Spring and Summer Hats, in Assorted Colors

This early postcard-sized specialty catalog is charming on multiple levels. You can enjoy just how extraordinarily fancy ladies’ hats could be at the dawn of the 21st century – just how many variations and hat accessories there were. Or… Continue reading Spring and Summer Hats, in Assorted Colors

“Makes every boy who owns one happy.”
Posted on March 18, 2019April 2, 2019

Spear and Company, 1903
“Makes every boy who owns one happy.”

The back cover of this ca. 1903 Spear & Company catalog is rather sweet, in both copy and illustrations. The tyke is happy, and so is the copywriter: “Nine people out of ten when they look at this picture will think of days when wagon coasting…. Continue reading “Makes every boy who owns one happy.”

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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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