11 Awesome Things in the 1908 Sears Catalog By analise.dubner [231 more lists]

The 1908 Sears Catalog has a LOT of awesome in it, but I took the time and trouble to go through and pull out some of my favorite gems that not only harken back to a day before electronic gadgets (sweet, sweet electronic gadgets) but to a day when marketing was the opposite of slick. And when a catalog blurb was as long as a small novel and used phrases like "it will be readily appreciated by you". Also, the artwork is killer. I wish they still made catalogs like this.

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1

Double-bolted for extra safety

Good news, ladies. Good news.
2

Women need skeletons on the outside, too

Certainly, the first thing I think of when I look at this image is the word "Comfort". But, hey! Look here: "It is a proper and comfortable brace for fat people. A large abdomen is often reduced a few inches a month as a result of relief afforded by the brace to the stretched and overloaded muscles." I did not know that! You can lose weight by wearing something that holds your fat in? Not that I'm not sure that, even back in 1908, people with back pain might need something to help hold it all together... but it actually burns fat too! And for only $1.89, ladies!
3

Fits Anywhere!

I assume that, if for some unimaginable reason, this didn't fit in your bathroom, you could maybe put it in the middle of the living room?
4

A series of tubes...

Yeah, people were hard of hearing back in the day, too. I don't begrudge anyone the need to hear what's being said. However, the title "Conversation Tubes" is completely awesome. And I need to find a way to work that into normal conversation. Or maybe name my band that. If I had a band. But maybe I will start one just for that.
5

The fake watch-chain really finishes it off

I can't even tell you how much I wish I could make one of my kids wear this. I'm pretty sure I'm never going to stop imagining that. Also: this outfit has a whistle attached by a cord that you can put in your breastpocket. And pearl buttons. Pearl. Buttons.
6

Yes, an entire house.

"Let's see, we need some dishes, some bug killer, new underwear for Johnny and Bob needs some mustache wax... oh, and we DO need a house."
7

Worth its weight in ruffles alone

The style and value of this pattern at $1.98 will be readily appreciated by you. Indeed. I find myself already appreciating the frank and practical tone of the marketing copy, and so I am sure I will also love the hat. Although I do like a few more flowers on my hats, the value of this one is readily appreciated by me.
8

I am. I'm afraid.

Is the dog afraid? He kind of looks worried. Are they asking us if we are afraid? Or are they asking us which one of the two animals is more afraid? The kitten IS pretty scary, frankly... its eyes are all askew. Do we write down the answer in the provided notebook? Is there an address where we can send our answer?
9

A Very Important Question

Well, I don't know about you, but my cows are purely decorative.
10

Reaching the upper limits of fancy

This thing looks fancy AND durable. I'm sure you would have no problem getting it through airport security. (Joke! I know they didn't have airport security in 1908... you could just walk through and still leave your shoes on in those days) I still see a few places where they didn't tack on enough frippery. They just weren't trying hard enough.
11

For the Gigantism sufferer you've lost

This is actually kind of expensive. One would hope that if you had lost a loved one, you would not want them represented by that giant-headed George Washington-esque figure lying in front of a lollipop.