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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: 1970s

When Muppets Attack
Posted on February 12, 2018February 12, 2018

Montgomery Ward, 1972
When Muppets Attack

I've come to a realization that 1970s design happened because  product designers who lived through the 1960s then tried to figure out how to bring it to ordinary families. More explanation on the other side of the link… Continue reading When Muppets Attack

When 8 tracks were better than 1
Posted on January 11, 2018March 28, 2018

Allied Radio Shack, 1971
When 8 tracks were better than 1

Now they’re basically a punch line among failed music formats, but in 1971 8 track tapes were a seriously groovy audio source. Most people bought prerecorded music, but your cold roll your own thanks to home recording decks… Continue reading When 8 tracks were better than 1

Present at the birth of the personal computer revolution
Posted on November 2, 2017November 2, 2017

Tandy Computers, 1978
Present at the birth of the personal computer revolution

From the Tandy Computer Catalog, 1978. Before the Apple Stores, there were Radio Shack Computer Centers. And before that, there was this catalog of computer hardware sold by Tandy… Continue reading Present at the birth of the personal computer revolution

Yours for only 1067 books of trading stamps
Posted on October 26, 2017October 23, 2017

Top Value Stamps, 1973
Yours for only 1067 books of trading stamps

By the time the 1970s rolled around, trading stamps offered ever-broader ranges of merchandise redeemable if you just acquired enough trading stamps while shopping at your local retailers: glassware…or a clock radio…or a car! Continue reading Yours for only 1067 books of trading stamps

Lawn Items…and what to use with them
Posted on August 17, 2017October 22, 2017

S&H, 1975
Lawn Items…and what to use with them

S&H Green Stamps “Ideabook” 1975: What exactly is going on here? What this man staring at? And what does this have to do with lawn products? You'll need to click to see the entire catalog page… Continue reading Lawn Items…and what to use with them

We’re Having a Party, a Tupperware Party!
Posted on June 1, 2017June 1, 2017

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We’re Having a Party, a Tupperware Party!

Why is this woman smiling? Perhaps because “a career as a Tupperware dealer is exciting and rewarding!” Continue reading We’re Having a Party, a Tupperware Party!

Blinding Bicentennial Bedspreads
Posted on April 6, 2017April 6, 2017

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Blinding Bicentennial Bedspreads

1976 and everything was patriotic – even corduroy bedspreads. If the flag colors aren’t your “thing,” then try those ubiquitous 1970s colors, Harvest Gold and Avocado Green… Continue reading Blinding Bicentennial Bedspreads

The Original Hot Wheels
Posted on April 4, 2017April 4, 2017

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The Original Hot Wheels

Matchbox Collector’s Catalog, 1973 / Matchbox cars were highly prized by 1960s and 70s-era boys… Continue reading The Original Hot Wheels

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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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