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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Rite of Spring
Posted on March 14, 2019

E. B. Mills Seed House, 1935
Rite of Spring

It’s an annual transition: dull whites and grays of winter are replaced by an explosion of spring colors… Continue reading Rite of Spring

Build-it-yourself Computers
Posted on March 11, 2019April 2, 2019

Southwest Technical Products, 1978
Build-it-yourself Computers

“Hmmmph – kids today! Why, when I was your age and we wanted a computer, we had to build it ourself. None of them fancy fruit stores to take your money. You ordered the computer from a catalog, then get out the ole’ soldering iron and put it together! Continue reading Build-it-yourself Computers

The earliest known Duck Face
Posted on March 7, 2019March 7, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1941
The earliest known Duck Face

Is that model really making a duck face? She’s ahead of her time… Continue reading The earliest known Duck Face

Mailmen! Firefighters! Policemen! Here are your shoes!
Posted on March 4, 2019March 3, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1941
Mailmen! Firefighters! Policemen! Here are your shoes!

Exactly the types of people America expected to see delivering the mail or keeping the neighborhood safe – here they all are, in thrall to a shoe. Continue reading Mailmen! Firefighters! Policemen! Here are your shoes!

Modern Conveniences, Modern Women
Posted on February 28, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1941
Modern Conveniences, Modern Women

Look at that bathtub. Isn’t that clever? A cabinet built into the side of the bath… Continue reading Modern Conveniences, Modern Women

Pipe Dreams and Dream Pipes
Posted on February 25, 2019February 24, 2019

Ivan Ries Smokers' Supplies, 1948
Pipe Dreams and Dream Pipes

Some of these were the kind of pipes that My Three Sons would have bought their father, because Father Knows Best about things like smoking… Continue reading Pipe Dreams and Dream Pipes

“Where the Big Catalogue is Printed”
Posted on February 21, 2019

Sears, 1908
“Where the Big Catalogue is Printed”

Rather that show you a page from a catalog, this time we have pictures of catalogs being created…back in 1906. Continue reading “Where the Big Catalogue is Printed”

A Gaggle of Groovy Guitars
Posted on February 18, 2019February 17, 2019

Bennett Brothers, 1969
A Gaggle of Groovy Guitars

We’ve got groovy guitars…and dynamic drums…for your rock and roll combo. Continue reading A Gaggle of Groovy Guitars

Bicentennial Furniture Fireworks
Posted on February 14, 2019February 14, 2019

Montgomery Ward, 1976
Bicentennial Furniture Fireworks

Yes, this must why America fought for independence – the right to select your own furniture, no matter how hideous. Continue reading Bicentennial Furniture Fireworks

Mad Skils
Posted on February 11, 2019

SkilTools, 1947
Mad Skils

Unabashedly and unashamedly industrial, this 1947 catalog. Aimed at men who get things done. Continue reading Mad Skils

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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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