Hi everyone! I built a website to archive vintage store catalogs: https://www.historysbestsellers.com/

You can see old catalogs from stores like Sears, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and more. You can search for specific fashion items, look for similar items on ebay or amazon, and other things like share specific pages.

I thought this sub might find it fun to look at a lot of old catalogs research. I’d also love any suggestions for other store vintage catalogs you are aware of that I should add.

Let me know what you think.

Found these at goodwill in a clothing bag a few days ago and only paid around $5-$8. Theres more than shown here but these are the coolest ones out of the lot. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Hi all, I just wanted to show my Match Corporation of America Catalog and Price List from 1957! I acquired this as a child (I'm 71 now), and I have no idea where I got it!
Here are a few photos.

I have long been a fan of 1930s movie star Carole Lombard and memorabilia is difficult to come by these days and/or very expensive. These clips were collected at Walter Lang’s estate sale. Lang was married to Madalynne Fields in 1937 and they were married for decades. Madalynne Fields was in early Mack Sennett films with Carole Lombard when both were new to movies. Carole nicknamed her friend “Fieldsie” and they were close friends for the rest of their lives. Fields was sort of a unofficial manager and gatekeeper and they lived together at times between Lombard’s marriages. So I like to imagine at some point Carole saw these very clips.

I kept this all these years thinking it would be important one day in the future. I keep it wrapped up in saran wrap because one of my cats peed on it at some point in the past, and I didn't notice for a long time. It's been so long ago that it no longer smells of cat urine lol. I have no idea if it will ever be important, but I'll keep it just in case. My kids know that whenever I pass away, they must keep it for future generations. Hope you enjoy.

Early 1990s

Super fun find. Chiyo Kichi graduated Purdue in 1897 with a mechanical engineering degree. Quite rare that it’s all handwritten rather than a filled out mass printed booklet. Spencerian cursive is so pretty here too! Also found it interesting that the phrenologist was an international student from Tokyo. I’m curious if I should sell this to a dealer (I posted it for $650 and received a $400 offer same day) or do something else. Curious if anyone has any cool info on this museum quality piece.

Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev
Diaghilev Signed Calling Card
Russia

Twelve lines in French concerning the placement of an article in Le Figaro and other matters of business. Russian art critic

Diaghilev was the founder and director of the Ballets Russes, overseeing its productions and collaborations with many of the leading composers, choreographers, dancers, and artists of the early 20th century.

DIAGHILEV, Sergei Pavlovich (1872-1929). Autograph note signed ("X"). N.p., n.d. 2 pages on one card, 55 x 95 mm sheet (6.5 x 8 inches framed), graphite on a calling card engraved with "Serge de Diaghilew," a punched hole affecting text and slight toning, matted and framed (glazed on both sides), not examined out of frame.

Provenance: Collection of Michael Tilson Thomas

I found this tucked inside an old 1920s French lesson book. The book itself was too degraded to keep. Aside from the feet being torn, the bookmark was remarkably well preserved. I love the colors and the writing on the back! Would love to know more about the Canari. Also any links to how to properly preserve it would be appreciated! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Found in Chicago.