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Delivers a stunning blow without crushing or fracturing the skull

W.S. Darley Police Equipment catalog, 1961: The Darley catalog enthusiastically, even lovingly, described the different clubs, handcuffs, straight jackets, body bags, lie detectors, guns, badges, and other law enforcement tools. Zoom in to read the copy, and we’ll come back to other pages in the future… Continue reading Delivers a stunning blow without crushing or fracturing the skull


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A Train…of Thought

Nowadays, from our 21st-century vantage point, it’s virtually impossible to grasp the imagination and excitement that trains once sparked in American lives. This Lionel catalog was profusely illustrated on every page. And the operative word IS illustrated – no boy’s train set ever looked this good. Continue reading A Train…of Thought


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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!


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The Handsomest, Safest, Strongest Single Hammer Gun Made in America

With a headline that definitive, how much more copy do you really need? Evidently quite a lot, because this page is devoted entirely to selling you the many features and benefits of this made-for-Sears shotgun… Continue reading The Handsomest, Safest, Strongest Single Hammer Gun Made in America


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The Compleat 1960s Home Gym

All the latest (ca. 1969) exercise trends are here. Slant board – Check. Tetherball – sure. Weird vibrating belt massager thingee – not so sure about that one. And then there’s that…sweatsuit. Continue reading The Compleat 1960s Home Gym


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Catalog of Secrets

For our next trick, the Heaney Magic Company, 1924. Have no illusions – even Magicians consulted catalogs in the 20th century. Here the audience members’ three chosen cards are impaled at sword-point. Continue reading Catalog of Secrets


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Long Gone…both the Fashion and the Firm

National Bellas Hess “60th Anniversary Bargains” catalog, 1948. It's just possible this model is wearing an air filter on her head…or a maybe a once-fashionable hat. Continue reading Long Gone…both the Fashion and the Firm


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Meet Me at the Fair…

Regalia Manufacturing, Fair Supplies, ca. 1931. Somehow, I don’t think the county fair is quite what it used to be. Too bad. The Regalia company put out an impressive, slightly oversized catalog with dozens of ways to promote your fair – posters, pennants, roadside signs, license plate toppers, and the delightful spare-tire cover pictured here… Continue reading Meet Me at the Fair…


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The Original Pocketable Computer

Radio Shack Computer Catalog, 1980. Oh sure, your iPhone or Galaxy is about a million times faster, and stores a several gazillion times more stuff, and has color displays and cameras and wireless connectivity and more apps installed than you can even remember , but you gotta start somewhere. And basically it started with this… Continue reading The Original Pocketable Computer