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The Catalog Blog

Cool things from 20th-century American Catalogs

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Category: The Wish Book

Music-Making by Mail
Posted on September 10, 2019

U.S. School of Music, 1947
Music-Making by Mail

You can learn to play an instrument at home, and once you do, your social life will improve, you’ll earn more money, and you’ll look like a young debutante in a low-cut dress… Continue reading Music-Making by Mail

Word Magic
Posted on May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

J. Peterman, 1995
Word Magic

J. Peterman: Booty Spoils & Plunder, 1995 Do you need any of this stuff? A jacket, a chair, a set of…basket-things. I doubt it. But read the copy – Go ahead, zoom in, I'll wait. Now. You still may not need it, but do want any of this? Aren't you at least a bit curious? … Continue reading Word Magic

“It’s just what I wanted!”
Posted on May 6, 2019May 5, 2019

Spencer Gifts, 1954
“It’s just what I wanted!”

Spencer Gifts, 1954 “What shall we get Aunt Gladys? A square foot of Texas… a burro.. or a shoe rack?” Spencer Gifts, long the ubiquitous merchant of weird gifts in malls across the country (such malls as still remain, anyway) once purveyed their gifts via catalogs like this 1954 edition. On the front cover, for … Continue reading “It’s just what I wanted!”

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

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

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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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