Editor’s Note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Memorial Library in Houlton highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by the staff.
There are people who love receiving mail order catalogs and then there are those who do not. Our book this week is called “Catalog: The Illustrated History of Mail-Order Shopping,” by Robin Cherry.
Delightful images from actual old catalog pages, though with too small print for some eyes. Perhaps we could use a magnifying glass?
With inside jokes beginning in the introduction, the extensive research for material is evident and so interesting to read. The author covers the earliest American salesmen who used this medium to reach the rural markets ‘way before malls and bigger department stores.
Farm equipment, chicks for raising, clothing, furniture, food, books, music and even travel trailers and houses to keep stuff and live in! Heavily drawing on Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward books the latest fashions, makeup, gadgets, and gimmicks are shown. “Medicines” were sold for years. Appliances for the home and cars for transportation gradually gained spaces on the pages as mechanics gained popularity.
How are the prices? Quite unbelievable, of course, except for Neiman Marcus and Orvis, but even those are still unbelievable. A camel offered in 1961 actually became a cherished pet for a lucky woman in Texas. Presidents have ordered expensive pet accessories for their pets from Bing Company.
At one time masks of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin along with costumes of animals, cowboys, and various heroes were offered. Toys ranged from beautiful dolls for $2.89, tricycles $5.98 and Tinker Toys for 89 cents And don’t miss the red piano and Elton John in the musical section along with many book which we still revere today.
This book is another gem at Cary Library purchased in memory by friends of the Library.
The Cary Memorial Library is open Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
