National Bellas Hess

Since we were snowed in all weekend, I finished up most of my Christmas shopping online. Though I love Etsy and Amazon Prime....what I would give to shop via this 1957 National Bellas Hess catalog! Let's see....I would like to order the electric tree with bubbling lights (page 42), a box of argyle socks for Pat's stocking (page 2), a chenille robe for Lizzie (page 4), the happy 'n cuddlesome Humpty Dumpty for my studio (page 9), a perma-bend doll with pink dress for Lizzie (page 27), oh yes....annnnd...add on that economy carriage for the bend-y doll from page 38. Also, I would have to sneak in one of the 6 room steel dollhouse with the add-on family (page 40). This would be a present to myself of course ;) And lastly...a set of those "day of the week" undies as a more useful stocking stuffer. So let's wrap all this up....if I added correctly I've spent a whopping $27.32 + shipping which adds an outrageous $.51. But...if I spend $35.00 the shipping is free so what else do you think should I add to the order?

The Fountain Head Catalog

Every once in a while an ephemeral treasure crosses my path and this old jewelers catalog is right up there with the best of 'em. Riddled with character (and a bit of mold) the volume once served as a scrapbook for a lady named Alice at the end of the 19th century. Lucky for me, Ms. Kelsey Currie over at the Bargain Barrel stowed this fascinating volume away and show it to me when I stopped by one day. Of course, I could not resist once I saw its tattered contents!

The catalog was published in 1890 by The Fountain Head for Jewelers Supplies. It seems as though Alice was using this book as a housekeeping file system (kinda the way I use Evernote these days). The pages are filled with recipe clippings for everything from Banana Blanc Mange to Buckwheat cakes, pasted snippets with housekeeping tips and exclamations over the trials of a poor ironer. A couple of pages have clippings with first aid treatments and herbal remedies. There are several pages pasted with obituaries, wedding and graduation announcements, poems and even a few short stories.

The first time I perused the book I was absorbed by the haphazard elements of faded newsprint contrasting the crisp black and white etchings of clocks, fancy tea sets and other fine wares. I love the stains, the blotches and even the torn newsprint. This is the stuff that mesmerizes me! Now I'll stop rambling and let it mesmerize you (and don't forget you can click the images to view in their full size loveliness.)

Jewelry Findings Catalog

This old catalog, circa 1920's, is chock-full of decorative jewelry findings and metal stampings for earrings, brooches, pins, buckles and much more.

Every page has been meticulously inscribed with the corresponding stock number of each item. Wouldn't that have been a tedious task?!

I searched around the inter-webs a bit for any information on the Rhode Island Stamping Company of Providence, RI but came up with nary a positive query.

The book was purchased via a winning bid on Ebay last winter but it's been sitting in my items-to-be-blogged-about-someday pile and guess what...today's the day!

Now it will most likely venture into the studio to be added to the cool-old-paper-to-be-snipped-up-for-collage pile.

And...since there is no way I'll use up all 40 pages of unique decorative paper-y bits I may post a few pages up in the vintage shop. Keep an eye out for 'em you jewelry fiends ;)

1955 Noah's Ark Toy Catalog

Toy catalogs that arrive in the mailbox these days are full of slick pages and glossy photographs. When I came across this treasure on newsprint I had to add it to my ephemera collection. The catalog is from Noah's Ark department stores, Christmas 1955. Thought you'd enjoy browsing a few of its pages. Of course my favorite page has got to be the one with the doll house and tea sets! Just click on each image to enlarge and read--and, if you feel like reminiscing through more toys from the 1950's here is another catalog I shared last season.

1950's Toy Catalog

With the recent onslaught of toy catalogs arriving in our mailbox (only eight weeks until Christmas!) I thought I'd share one that I truly enjoy pouring over. Sometime last year I purchased this circa 1950's toy catalog. If I remember correctly, I paid around thirty dollars for it--more than anything in the catalog was originally sold for. Don't forget that you can click on any of these pages to get a closer look as some of the descriptions are priceless. For instance on the image below..."dolls are more fun than people". Enjoy!