| |
A
The
1-800-FLOWERS catalog is just a way to get a closer look at the
flowers the telephone-and-online flower delivery service offers, but the
selection is good and the photos are well done.
Phone: 1-800-FLOWERS Address:
1600 Stewart Ave. Westbury, NY 11590 Website:
1800flowers.com
Now here's an unusual catalog. If you're a retailer, insurance
agent, hospital or financial institution (or even a non-profit) you'll
need names and addresses and phone numbers of people who might be
interested in your services. Hence the
AMERICAN CONSUMER LISTS catalog. It features lists of cities
grouped by state. The zip code is listed, along with the number of
total households, number of people among age groups, then by estimated
income. You pick and choose who to contact after going over the lists
in the catalog. Address: American
Consumer Lists 5711 South 86th Circle P. O. Box 27347 Omaha, NE
68127 Phone: 800-661-LIST
AMERICAN GIRL features a series of
dolls, each with a specialized "spirit and style" -- and the accessories
to go with them -- for girls of all kinds. There are cowgirls, karaoke
girls, office girls, girls in a treehouse and lots more. As you might
expect, the prices are rather high for a doll, in the $100 range plus
accessories. American Girl 8400 Fairway Place P. O. Box 620190
Middleton, WI 53562 americangirl.com 800-845-0005
AMERICAN SCIENCE AND SURPLUS
advertises "incredible stuff, unbelievable prices" and it's true. The
catalog includes materials for computers, metal clamps, heat safety
goggles, imported chemisty materials, novelties like the "sticky
stretchable hand," science fair projects, books, optics, switches and
audio materials, tools, lamps and alarms. A lotta fun to browse.
American Science and Surplus 601 Linden Linden Place, Evanston IL 60202.
AMERICAN ORIGINALS is, like
America's Favorites below, a catalog of brand-names. If you've ever
wanted a Spam t-shirt, you got it here. Coca-Cola merchandise?
Included. Plush toys of those little M&Ms guys? Here. There are Oreo
tins and Hawaiian Punch shirts, Budweiser beer phones and American
Football League ties, Peterbilt belt buckles and even a 6-foot-tall
cardboard cutout of Superman. American Originals P. O. Box 85098
Richmond, VA 23285 800-757-6735
AMERICA'S FAVORITES is a catalog
of merchandising for famous U.S. brands owned by the National Biscuit
Company (NABISCO). There's the Oreo gift collection; a Ritz music box;
Mr. Peanut baseball caps; Lifesavers bags and boxer shorts; official
SnackWell exercise leotards, and so on. Nabisco Direct P. O. Box
532 Bethel, CT 06801 800-224-2222
THE AMY ALLISON CARD SHOP catalog
has ideas for all the holidays and cards at discount prices. There are
mainstream Christmas cards, specialized cards for animal lovers,
birthday cards and personalized notes, gift wrap, ribbons and kitten
cards. The catalog also offers desk embossers, a musical unicorn
snowglobe and brass picture frames. The photos of the merchandise are
in the Fingerhut fashion, but you get a good idea of what you're
ordering. There are quantity discounts. Amy Allison P. O. Box 303
Elmira, NY 14902 607-733-8586
ARBONNE INTERNATIONAL is a catalog
of beauty creams, skin care products, vitamins for men and women and
makeup products. The items are a little pricey but they appear to be of
high quality. It's Rita Davenport's company. She's the woman who
pioneered "Money Making Strategies for Women" back in the 1980s. Write:
Arbonne International, 15 Argonaut Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Call:
800-Arbonne See: Arbonne.com.
ARBOR COVE specializes in home
decorative items, both for indoors and outdoors. The emphasis is on
design, with the upscale items ranging from a real metal sundial and
miniature greenhouses and tranquil birdbaths for outside the home, to
expandable shelves for pantries sheer check top tab window panels for
indoors. Arbor Cove P. O. Box 3640 Oshkosh, WI 54903
888-345-1048
THE ANATOMICAL CHART COMPANY
catalog is everything you'd expect: books on anatomy, rocks, fossils,
minerals, books to introduce children to science and projects, books on
outer space, medical reference guides, physics books, cook books,
booklets explaining human anatomy and even plastic models. Anatomical
Chart Company 8221 Kimball, Skokie, IL 60076 800-621-7500
ABBEY PRESS is still a great place to go for unusual and
tasteful gifts and collectibles. There are stores in major cities that
sell this kind of interesting merchandise, but few of them have a
selection this big, and if you live outside those cities, well... Their
website is better if less colorful than their mailed catalog used to be,
but the great gifts are still there!
ADVENTURES IN CASSETTES was always
a great catalog to get in the mail. The slick color and odd size (7" X
11") always made for fun reading and the selection of old radio
cassettes was phenomenal. You name the popular show from the "Golden
Age Of Radio" and they had it. From the still-popular Fibber McGee and
Molly, Jack Benny, Amos and Andy and Burns and Allen to the more obscure
Lux Radio Theater, Third Man, The Mysterius Traveler, The Aldrich Family
and My Favorite Husband (Lucille Ball's radio show that more or less
became TV's "I Love Lucy"), the catalog had it all. Adventures In
Cassettes 5454 Nathan Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55442.
THE ASHTON-DRAKE GALLERIES
catalog
specializes in sophisticated lifelike dolls, many in special and
limited editions.
The ATD catalog of wholesale
furniture is among the best. The selection of desks, cubicles, office
chairs of all kinds, organizers, tables, lamps, rollaway files, work
stations and display cases is extensive and the prices are very
reasonable, sometimes heavily discounted. ATD 135 Greenwood Ave.
Wyncote, PA 19095 800-523-2300
ATKINS DIRECT
is a catalog for
buying all the products recommended by the late Dr. Robert Atkins for
use in his self-titled diet that began in the 1970s and remains popular
today. A Direct Atkins Nutritionals Inc. Suite A 2002 Orville Dr.
North Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
AVON'S catalog is one of the most
famous and enduring of catalog sales. Known for featuring mostly
women's products, the line has expanded to include seasonal items such
as ornaments before Christmastime. It's still the best one-stop catalog
for women buying for themselves and men buying for women. They're
distributed through local representatives. Avon also publishes a
regular catalog of its dresses, blouses, skirts and skorts, called Avon
Fashions. Avon Products 1251 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY
10020,
We've never seen an ASHFORD
catalog, but they have a great online product at
Ashford.com. That includes some of the greatest luxury watches
anywhere, some at half price, some at two-thirds off, some prices are
even better. All the great names are there, including Cartier and
Bulova. With this colorful site around, who needs to pay retail for a
fine timepiece.
B
BACK TO BASICS TOYS fetures
wooden sleds and other old fashioned toys like balsa airplanes and
wooden stilts, children's baby grand pianos and guitars, wooden doll
houses, other games and metal roller coasters. As you'd expect, it's a
little pricey, but it's one of the unique catalogs. Back To Basics
Toys, One Memory Lanee, Ridgely, MD 21685 800-356-5360
You might be surprised at all the ways plastic appears these
days. Take the BAGS UNLIMITED
catalog. Though some call them "jewelers cases," those plastic things
that CDs come in are CD Sleeves and Cases, and Bags Unlimited has 'em,
along with poly sleeves for your old 45 RPM records, your 33s, your old
comic books and magazines and cases for your old cassette tapes. And
special sleeves for your baseball cards. Prices are reasonable too.
Bags Unlimited 7 Canal St. Rochester, NY 14608 800-767-BAGS
BARNES AND NOBLE have all those
stores, and still they publish a catalog. It's a compendium of their
most popular books along with new releases and some old standbys like
dictionaries. Barnes and Noble Books By Mail 1 Pond Rd. Rockleigh,
NJ 07647 800-THE-BOOK
THE BETTY CROCKER CATALOG is a
collection of items from famous and not-so-famous makers of silverware,
kitchen items with children in mind, baking and cooking accessories,
dinnerware, cups and saucers, kitchen clocks and some Christmas items.
Betty Crocker Catalog General Mills Inc. 13400 15 Avenue N. P. O.
Box 1118 Minneapolis, MN 55440 612-540-2212
BITS AND PIECES calls itself a
"Source for Clever Puzzles and Intriguing Gifts," with a colorful
collection of photos of the items available. And among those items are
fiber-optic roses and butterflies, animal clocks, unusual games, animal
nesting dolls, a Wizard of Oz puzzle, books on origami and lots of other
very unique items. Bits and Pieces One Puzzle Place Stevens Point,
Wisconsin 54481 800-544-7297
BLAIR MENSWEAR has been a
favorite for decades for men who like the convenience of ordering
clothes through the mail. The shirts, pants, shoes and suits are
standardized but are brand-name quality. The catalog also features some
underwear items. The whole thing is profusely illustrated, with some
closeup photos to show the texture of the material on some items. Blair
Menswear 220 Hickory Street Warren, PA 16366 800-458-2000
BLUE NOTE RECORDS as they used to call it, is one of the best
labels for jazz music. They've been putting them out since the '50s and
their catalog is excellent; their list of artists seems to go on
forever. While I miss the paperback-styled catalog they used to send in
the mail, their website is comprehensive. From Stan Kenton to Elaine
Elias to Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Louis Jordan, John Coltrane and
Dizzy Gillespie, it's like a wonderland of great jazz.
THE BOMBAY COMPANY
features home
and personal items with sometimes surprising discounts. Examples from
their catalog include Bristol tables, hotel series silver sets, plush
chairs, glass tables and four-poster beds. The catalog is lavishly
illustrated, with furniture often displayed in home settings. The
Bombay Company P. O. Box 161009 Fort Worth, TX 76161 800-829-7789
BROOKSTONE
is a vividly
illustrated catalog of hard to find tools and accessories for the home
and the handiman. There are infrared detection systems, fitness items
and decorative items in addition to the unique fans, hoses, light
fixtures, gardening tools and lighting materials. More fun than a trip
to Home Depot with lots of descriptive paragraphs about the items and
new perspectives on more familiar items. Brookstone 5 Vose Farm Rd.
Peterborough, NH 03458 800-926-7000
C
CABELA'S is the "World's Foremost
Outfitter" with hunting and fishing and outdoor gear galore. Camoflage
outfits, trail and denim shirts, parkas, pants, hats, caps, coats,
hiking and outdoor boots and shoes, hand-sewn loafers, walkers,
wing-tips and boots. Also: binoculars, rangefinders, guns, rifles,
slings, gun valuts, game racks, bows and arrows and hunting accessories
like scent shield soaps. Included in the catalog are daypacks,
backpacks, outdoor campers, hunting knives and decoys. They've got just
about everything. Write: Cabela's 812-13th Avenue Sidney, NE 69160
CAM is a catalog of audio and
video resources for professional broadcasters, with digital sound
mixers, video cams and computer-related items like projectors. Each item
features a small photo. CAM Audio, Inc. 2210 Executive Drive
Garland, TX 800-527-3458
CARLTON PRODUCTS
of La Grange,
Texas, speicalizes in industrial signs, markers, tags and tape products
and labels. It's one place you can get padlock seals, production status
tags and vinyl placards and those printed plastic yellow safety cones
you sometimes see to mark danger areas. Prices are good. Carlton
Industries, P. O. Box 280 La Grange, TX 78945 800-231-5988
THE CATO INSTITUTE regularly
publishes a catalog of it's reading material. Titles such as "After
Prohibition: An Adult Approach to Drug Policies in the 21st Century,"
"Monetary Policy In the United States" and "Why Schools Fail" show why
the conservative Cato Institute has a reputation for enlightening as
well as scholarly books and publications. Cato Institute 1000
Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington DC 20001 800-767-1241
The CENTURY catalog features items
to organize and protect your photographs, so there are albums galore of
all shapes and sizes. There are scrapbooks, custom scrapbook pages,
family tree and service albums, postcard albums and recipe albums.
There are special prices every now and then. Century Photo Products &
Accessories p. O. Box 2393 Brea, CA 92822 800-767-0777
20thcenturydirect.com
CHEYENNE OUTFITTERS is named after
the city headquarters, Cheyenne, Wyoming. It's catalog features what
some might call classic cowboy and cowgirls clothing items. The catalog
is set up in the usual clothing catalog format, with color pictures of
models wearing the clothes, which in this case include ankle-length
dresses, jeans and skirts with colorful vests, hats and boots for
women; shirts, jeans and vests, boots and belts and hats for men.
Cheyenne Outfitters P. O. Box 12013 Cheyenne, WY 82003
800-234-0432
CHICO'S
is a catalog of women's
clothing and accessories, including bracelets and necklaces. The
monthly catalog is thin but the merchandise is well-photographed and
reproduced on thick glossy paper. Chico's 11215 Metro Parkway Ft.
Myers, FL 33912
CLIFFORD AND WILLS is the stylish
catalog of women's clothing that's becoming increasingly popular over
the years. The listings are well-illustrated and range from casual to
semi-formal, with jeans, boots, underwear and some shoes included. The
styles are always tasteful but very up to date, much more than you might
expect from a catalog based in South Dakota. Clifford and Wills P.
O. Box 6130 Rapid City, SD 57709 800-600-3311
THE COCA-COLA CATALOG is just what
you'd expect -- everything Coca-Cola -- for the collector. Shirts,
books, plates, drinking glasses, Coke trucks, miniature replicas of
old-fashioned Coke machines, plastic Coca-Cola planes and clocks,
lampshades, banks and toys. The catalog is colorful and has a sense of
humor. The Coca-Cola Catalog 2515 E. 43rd Street P. O. Box 182264
Chattanooga TN 37422 800-872-6531
COLLECTIONS ETC. A
well-illustrated catalog of housewares (including an extensive
collection of kitchen organizers and decorations), Heritage Signature
Collection dolls and garden items. Collections Etc. 450 E. Jarvis
Avenue P. O. Box 5198 Des Plaines, IL 60017 316-584-8000
COLLECTORS CHOICE MUSIC is a
monthly catalog of some of the best old and new music currently
available. Everything from country to folk, classical to Elvis, the
Beatles and humor CDs, soundtracks and oldies. There's even a bargain
bin section for nicely-priced disks. If you're a music lover, this is
one of the best catalogs just to browse. Write: Collector's Choice
Music PO Box 838 Itasca, IL 60143 Call: 800-923-1122 See:
ccmusic.com
COMMUNICATORS BOOKSTORE is a slim
catalog of books especially for "communicators," such as newsletter
publishers, marketers, speakers, editors and direct mail experts. Many
of the books are how-to publications for beginnings in those fields.
Communicators Bookstore Hudson Associates 44 W. Market St. P. O.
Box 311 Rhinebeck, NY 12572 800-572-3451
THE CONTAINER STORE is a
well-known national chain of stores selling, well, containers. They also
put out a catalog. There are containers to make your home closet
well-organized, containers for the bathroom, containers for the
kitchen. There are file carts, clothes hangars and shoes, which are
after all containers for your feet. The Container Store 2000 Valwood
Parkway Dallas, TX 75234 800-733-3532
COSTUME EXPRESS aims to be a
one-stop catalog for Halloween and other costumes, including Star Wars,
1950s carhops, police and fire uniforms and the usual witch, Batman and
princess costumes. There are even costumes for grownups. Prices range
overall from $20 - $70. Celebrate Express 488 Gallimore Dairy Rd.
Sutie D Greensboro, NC 27409 800-424-7843
CRAFT KING is a discount crafts
business based in Florida that's produced a giant wholesaler's-styled
catalog for years. The thick book is divided into pages that include
boxes with a crude black-and-white photo of the item and a description
and prices as well as order numbers. The catalog is available to the
public and features steep discounts on very basic t-shirts, bandanas,
woodworking supplies, dolls and miniatures, quilting supplies and hats,
candles and ceramics -- all to be worked up by you, the amateur
craftsperson. If you're into crafts you can't beat this catalog.
Craft King, Inc. P. O. Box 90637 Lakeland, FL 33804
813-686-9600
If you fly, CREWGEAR is for you.
It's really a catalog for pilots, flight attendants and airline workers,
but it works as a specialized consumer catalog too. There are great
color photos of all of the items, which include passenger-jet-related
jewelry, shirts, pendants, watches and puzzles, games and toys -- and
lots and lots of luggage items. Crewgear 10855 U.S. Hwy 19, N
Clearwater, FL 33764 800-848-CREW
CRICKET is a catalog of childrens'
items, nicely segregated by age. For infants, 3-year-olds, 7-year-olds
and older: magazines, books and CDs. Cricket Magazine Group P. O. Box
9304 La Salle, IL 61301
CROSSINGS is a slick-magazine
style catalog introducing a club specializing in religious books,
including inspirational, fiction, analysis and children's items. The
illustrations and photos are colorful and descriptions of books are in
semi-detail. A great resource for gift-giving. Crossings the Book Club
for Today's Christian Family 6550 East 30th Street P. O. Box 6309
Indianapolis, IN 46206 JoinCrossings.com
THE CRUISE DIRECTORY is a
gathering of some of the better deals to think about when planning a
cruise. The catalog is nicely illustrated but it sometimes leaves you
wishing for more information about some cruises. Cruises Inc. 5000
Campuswood Dr. East Syracuse, NY 13057
CRUTCHFIELD has always had one of
the best catalogs for electronics and music lovers, with an extensive,
illustrated list of cassette and CD car players, now including satellite
radio receivers, high-end Boze sound equipment and a wide variety of
speakers. Crutchfield 1 Crutchfield Park Charlottesville, VA 22911
crutchfield.com
CYCLE GEAR is "good stuff for
motorcyclists." Clothes, jackets, hats, gloves -- for men and women.
And there are even some closeout prices. All the accessories are here
too...from racing gear right down to the WD40. Coupons are sometimes
included. A very good source for the motorcyclist. Cycle Gear 4705
Industrial Way Benicia, CA 94510 cyclegear.com
D
DAMARK has spent many years
building a reputation for unusual electronics at discount prices. Many
of the items are rebuilt or "remanufactured," but the prices make it
worthwhile. Notebook computers, harddrives, CD storage cases, stereos,
cameras, fans and unique electronics items like security cameras,
motions sensors and even an "in ground dog waste septic system." Damark
7101 Winnetka Ave. P O Box 9437 Minneapolis, MN 55440
800-729-9000
THE DAVID KAY CATALOG FOR HOME AND GARDEN
always had garden elves, welcome signs and nice antiques. The porch
swings were always high quality and a little expensive, but they were
made to last. Where would you find sculptures and sundials for your back
yard or garden? This was the catalog. Hand-crafted pine antique desks
or black matted wrought iron coffee tables, translucent fluted column
porch tables? David Kay had it all, plus chimes, games, fountains,
benches, birdbaths, wishing wells, Nampara Bridges for your Oriental
garden and lots more. Fun to browse, even you don't have any money to
spend. David Kay, One Jenni Lane, Peoria, IL 61614
THE DIABETIC FOOD EMPORIUM works
to be a summation of interesting foods available for diabetics. It's
broken down into manufacturers, so for instance, Clearbrook Farms
manufactures 8 different marmalades for diabetics, pictured all together
in a basket, with pricing and jar size and the notation, "Top Rated By
the New York Times." Not a bad resources for lower-sugar foods and
spices and jams. Diabetic Food Emporium 51 Cleveland St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601 800-285-3210
THE WORKER'S CHOICE -- DICKIES is
the line of men's work clothing that's been popular for decades. Since
the clothing is quite standardized and generic, many rural men prefer
ordering from the catalog rather than going to stores. The standard
shirts, shoes, pants and coveralls are augmented by "two-tone" shirts,
school uniforms, jackets and clothes for boys, all at reasonable
prices. Dickies Famous Workwear P. O. Box 2507 Fort Worth, TX 76113
Even the Disney Company puts out a catalog.
THE DISNEY CATALOG
has all the latest
items from the king of movie and TV merchandising. Each
wonderfully-illustrated (of course) issue features dolls, DVDs, CDs,
toys, books and clothing items. The Disney Catalog P. O. Box 29144
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201 800-328-0612
The DoALL SPECIAL VALUES
industrial supplies catalog is very specialized: Just industrial
supplies. But the selection is enormous. If you need tape measures,
saws and blades, digital calipers, cold air guns, drill tips and
adapters, cobalt jobbers-length drills or superabrasive wheels and
mandrels, this is the place. DoAll Company 254 Laurel Avenue Des
Plaines, IL 60016
DOMESTICATIONS has bedsheets,
pillowcases, comforters, blankets, hand-pieced quilts, dust ruffles and
sets, and the prices are good. The quality material makes the prices
even seem on a par with discount stores and medium-end retail shops.
The selection is extensive, and there are similar items for children.
Also featured: dinnerware and tablecloths. Domestications P. O. Box
40 Hanover, PA 17333 800-782-7722
DR. LEONARD'S HEALTHCARE CATALOG
is for consumers, but you'll often find copies of it at hospitals and
doctors' offices. Just what you'd expect: portable blood pressure
machines, orthopedic shoes and socks, wheel chairs (one of which doubles
as a rocking chair when stopped) and pads to prevent back strain. But
there are also items you might not expect: A watch that records
messages; a telephone voice amplifier; an automatic card shuffler for
poker players; a cordless electric nail file; extra-wide shoe selection
and a volume-building hair dryer. Dr. Leonard's Healthcare Catalog 42
Mayfield Ave. P. O. Box 7821 Edison, NJ 08818 800-785-0880
DOUBLE TIME JAZZ features discount
jazz and blues CDs and even some LPs. They're laid out in full-page
lists. Not much to look at, but some good bargains on vintage jazz.
"Double-Time" Jazz P. O. Box 1244 New Albany, IN 47151
E
EDMUND SCIENTIFIC'S SCIENTIFICS CATALOG
is a fascinating tour of consumer scientific products: microscopes,
telescopes, optics, biology and physics items, pumps, magnets and
motors. There are a huge number of products, each well-photographed.
The prices seem reasonable considering the obscurity of the products.
Edmund Scientific 800-728-6999
EDWARD R. HAMILTON BOOKSELLER
has
for decades been a leader in off-price book catalogs. For many years
the catalog was in black-and-white on newsprint stock with detailed
descriptions and small photos of the books for sale, usually at
substantial savings over cover price. The catalogs themselves were
interesting reading, to see the bargains and to survey the large
quantity of books available. Though the catalog is more colorful and
smaller in size today, it's still a great resource for off-price books.
Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller Falls Village, CT 06031
EdwardRHamilton.com
EIGHTH DAY BOOKS is a collection
of religious and historic books, with an emphasis on literature and
philosophy. The black-and-white pages feature some illustrations but
are mostly lists of books available with sometimes lengthy background on
each. It makes for good reading, even if you don't order books. It's
really a fascinating array of books, many of timeless interest. Titles
include "Unseen Warfare," "C. S. Lewis: A Biography" and "The Theology
of the Icon." Eighth Day Books 3700 E. Douglas #40 Wichita, KS
67208
EXPRESSIONS/GALLAGHERS are gifts
and collectibles stories in several states. Their catalog focuses on
Christmas: glass ornaments, figurines, music boxes, porcelain dolls and
other collectibles. Expressions/ Gallaghers Scottsdale Fashion
Square Scottsdale, AZ 85251 602-970-0801
gallagherscollectibles.com
F
FINGERHUT has been one of the most
popular catalogs in history, bringing its unique selection of low-priced
novelty gifts to millions of Americans for decades. Everything from
jewelry to electronics to household items, phones, small appliances,
cameras and toys got the everyday-low-price treatment through
Fingerhut's colorful catalog. They even extended limited credit to many
customers. Fingerhut Corp. 11 McLeland Rd. St. Cloud, MN 56395
FOCAL PRESS is the home for books about media technology and
production. Say you want to write a movie or a TV episode. You should
check the books at Focal for precisely what you need to know to get into
the game. Covered are computers, games, photography, journalism and
similar subjects. I've worked with Focal Press before and they're a
knowledgeable group.
FREEPORT STUDIO is a subsidiary of
L. L. Bean featuring women's apparel from winter suits and summer
clothes to sweaters, jeans and more formal wear. Freeport Studio
Freeport, Maine 040203
FREUND HARD-TO-FIND CONTAINERS all
come together in one catalog, and boy are they unusual boxes, bags,
tubes, steel pails, drums, cans, cardboard, glass and plastic items.
They have glass jars too. And yes, they sell the caps to those jars.
There's no use in describing most of the items here -- I would end up
recounting shapes (square, oval, rectangle, ad nauseum), but this
is one of the most unique catalogs that I know of. There are familiar
containers like the spray bottles you Windex come in (but those in the
Freund catalog are, of course, unmarked), the usual beverage containers
(milk cartons, but unmarked) and lotsa cardboard boxes and tubes for
mailing and shipping. Freund Can Co. 196 West 84th Street Chicago,
IL 60620 312-224-4230
FUSION VIDEO is a one-stop catalog
for DVD TV and movie classics. That includes box sets of James Bond
films and PBS specials, movie and new DVD releases. The catalog is
colorful and features photos of almost every item. Specialty items
include classic movies, country music videos and video-related items.
Fusion Video 17311 Fusion Way Country Club Hills, IL 60470
800-959-0061
G
GALLS refers to itself as the
"Authority in Public Safety Equipment and Apparel," with a
well-illustrated catalog running to several hundred pages. Rather than
describe the individual items available, it's safe to simply say they've
got everything for the police officer, male and female. There are
closeup photos of some items that, for example, reveal the texture of
some of the shoes. Excellent. Galls 2680 Palumbo Drive Lexington,
KY 40509 866-290-3385
GINNY'S
catalog appeals to
everyone. There are household items, electronics, bedding items, toys
for children, personal care products and small appliances. Included are
rugs, kitchen utensils, some clothing and exercise equipment. It really
is one of the most all-around catalogs. Ginny's 1112 7th Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566 800-544-1590
GLOBAL BUSINESS FURNITURE's
catalog is self-explanatory. Chairs, filing cabinets, bookcases, desks
of all kinds, lockers, folding chairs, computer tables, TV stands for
schools and business and wide assortment of each kind of item. Global
Business Furniture 22 Harbor Park Drive Port Washington, NY 10050
800-849-9167
GNP CRESCENDO's music catalog
features CDs from the 1950s and later. The black-and-white pages
feature covers from the CDs, most of which were originally released as
LP records. Featured artists include the incomperable Anthony Newley,
The Ventures, Mort Sahl, Buddy Merrill, Vaughn Meador, soundtracks from
Star Trek series, box sets and classic horror TV and movie soundtracks.
GNP/Crescendo Record Co. 8400 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, CA
90069 800-654-7029
GUMPS BY MAIL bills itself as "the
rare, the unique, the imaginative since 1861." It's mostly upscale
items at upscale prices. That includes heirloom Japanese Hina dolls,
Imari Cachepot and pumpkin boxes, Chinese-flavored dinnerware and table
runners, needlepoint pillows, crystal paperweights, elaborate picture
frames and hand cut crystal hurricane candles. Gumps By Mail 135
Post Street San Francisco, CA 94108 800-284-8677
H
HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER's book is full
of toys that adults will remember, like an advanced erector set, model
motorcycles and lots of Christmas-related items, coins, unusual clothing
and electronics items and fireplace items. Hammacher Schlemmer 2515 E.
43rd Street Chattanooga, YN 37422 800-543-3366
The HANNA ANDERSON catalog
features apparel for children, girls, young women and older women.
Prices are moderate to pricey, though the fashions are colorful and
up-to-date. Everything from babies' hats and sleepware to girls
dress-up clothes to leggings and some shoes. Women's fashions are
limited but bright and tasteful. Hanna Anderson 6900 Riverport Drive
Louisville, KY 40258 800-222-0544 HannaAnderson.com
HARRIET CARTER began her catalog
of unusual specialty products in 1958, and it remains one of the best
places to find unusual gifts and very reasonable prices. Like a clock
shaped like a train, a T-Shirt that reads, "Senior Citizen. Now give me
my damn discount," a diabetic cookbook, pillows with built-in speakers
for listening to music, music boxes, books on belly dancing, making
soaps. Harriet Carter Dept. 37 North Wales, PA 19455 800-377-7878
HARVARD SQUARE RECORDS boasts some
of the best record collections available. They've been around for
decades and they've got some of the best selections by jazzy artists
like Mel Torme and Keely Smith. Harvard Square Records P. O. Box
381975 Cambridge, MA 02238 617-868-3385
HEARTHSONG's catalog is a
delightful collection of new-style and old-fashioned children's toys,
games and educational and fun materials. Among the colorful
illustrations and photos are full descriptions of the items. For
instance, there's an old-style children's piano, the kind popular in the
early- and mid-20th Century. There are reasonably-priced and expensive
versions of chess and checkers, soccer balls, outdoor activities like
whipstick planes, science-based indoor activities like the "cannonball
capture game" and lots more. A lot of fun to view, even if only for the
large selection of unusual toys. HearthSong P. O. Box 1050 Madison,
VA 22727 800-325-2502 hearthsong.com
HEARTLAND AMERICA's catalog
features unique items like an authentic reproduction of a 1920 aviation
field phone that's actually a working home telephone, high-power
binoculars, remote-controlled model airplanes, a puptent that "sets
itself up in 3 seconds flat" and 3-wheeled child strollers. If you like
to browse interesting and unusual items, this is your catalog.
Heartland America 6978 Shady Oak Road Eden Prarie, MN 55344
800-229-2901
HEATHKIT
is the famous catalog of
electronic items, including build-it-yourself kits and how-to guides for
putting together such items. Heathkit Heath Company Benton Harbor,
MI 49022 800-253-0570
HERRINGTON is the catalog for "the
enthusiast." That means a quirky and sometimes odd selection of
merchandise like unusual watches, sunglasses, golf accessories, travel
clocks, ski accessories and baseball-related items. Herrington 3
Symmes Dr. Londonderry, NH 03053 800-622-5221
THE HERSHEY'S GIFT CATALOG
comes
out seasonally, and naturally features Hershey's chocolate related
items. For Father's Day there's a tie made entirely of chocolate, for
graduate a chocolate "best wishes" card, for Mother's Day an elaborate
chocolate love card. Hershey's Mailorder P.O. ox 801 Hershey, PA
17033 800-454-7737
HOME HEALTH is a "Products for
Life" catalog of homeopathic medicines, natural shampoos, pain relievers
and books on nutritional healing. There's even a natural medicated dog
shampoo. Home Health Products Inc. 1160 Millers Lane Virginia
Beach, VA 23451 800-284-9123
The HORCHOW HOME COLLECTION
catalog features fine items for the home, including silverware,
furniture, bar globes (a globe to sit in your living room that opens up
into a bar) and linens. A full home office with cherry solids was on
sale recently for far less than $1,000, so the catalog may be made up of
fine merchandise, but the prices aren't always pricey. There's also
rustic furniture and home items for the holidays. In the past, the
company has offered extended payment plans. Horchow Home Collection
P. O. Box 620048 Dallas, TX 75262 800-456-7000
I
THE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE carries
a large list of books and publications dedicated to education about
politics, history, taxes, employment and education itself, presented
from the Independent point of view, as opposed to strict conservative
vs. liberal, Democrats vs. Republicans viewpoints. And yes, viewpoints
matter when it comes to getting a clear picture of the world we live
in. Publishers of The Independent Review. The Independent Institute
Swan Way Oakland CA 94621
J
JIM'S TV COLLECTIBLES catalog is
one of the best places to find the toys, games and novelty items
surrounding the classic TV shows of the past. Though there are few
illustrations, the list if among the most unusual among any number of
similar catalogs. You name the TV show and Jim's got items like
posters, comic books, drinking glasses, toys, games and records for
each. He has special British items, sheet music from television shows,
rare TV and movie soundtracks and an array of related paperback books.
If like old TV shows, it's a fun browse. Jim's TV Collectible P. O. Box
4767 San Diego, CA 92164 519-462-1953
K
KING SIZE is a catalog of clothing
for large men, and it includes just about everything a man might want.
The company is also big on specials and sale items. The shirts range
from Chamois and Flannel to T-Shirts and Dress shirts. Included are
fashion jeans,sweaters, jackets (including leather), blazers, caps,
lambskin hats and gloves, beltpacks, pullovers, robes, shoes and
underwear, all reasonably priced. There's also a section for suits and
polo shirts. KingSize P. O. Box 8388 Indianapolis, IN 46283
800-846-1600
Over the years, KINO VIDEO
built
up a reputation for having the highest-quality videos of movies from
Hollywood's golden era. Their one-color black-and-white catalogs were
revered for their esoteric collection of movies, some of them thought to
have been lost over time. The catalog is online now, but that's even
better because it's in color. Kino Video 333 West 39th St. Suite
503 New York, NY 10010 www.kino.com/
L
LAISSEZ FAIRE BOOKS calls itself
"the world's largest selection of books on liberty," so you might
consider it a resource for conservative books, but surprisingly the
company has included books from more progressive and libertarian
viewpoints as well. Laissez Faire Books Center for Independent
Thought 938 Howard Street #202 San Francisco, CA 94103 800-326-0996
LANDS' END DIRECT MERCHANTS has
clothing with great closeup photos that reveal the texture of the
material used and includes a complete series of one-colored and
multi-colored shirts and blouses for men and women. Also included:
cotton knit dresses, cardigans, women's suits and sweaters and men's
shirts, pants, sweaters, socks and belts. Lands' End Inc. 1 Lands End
Lane Dodgeville, Wisconsin 53595 800-356-4444
LEAPS AND BOUNDS features unique
toys, games and swimming and sports accessories for children 3 and
older. The catalog features outdoor pools and pool accessories like a
pint-sized paddleboat, blow-up games for the pool, goggles, paddles and
fins and sandboxes. There are also booster seats, large toy
battleships, a talking cash register, balls and outdoor games,
trampolines and children's golf and archery sets. Write: Leaps and
Bounds PO Box 517 Lake Bluff, IL 60044 Call: 800-477-2189 See:
LeapsAndBoundsCatalog.com
LIFE WAY
is a smaller-sized
catalog of vitamins, homeopathic remedies and environmentally-safe
cleaning products. Includes some photos of those products. Life
Way 11851 30th Court North St. Petersburg, FL 33716 800-627-9126
Of course, the
LILLIAN VERNON catalog is always a treat because of the bargains and
unusual selection of gifts you won't find in almost any brick-and-mortar
store. The kids catalog was always fun for children to browse through,
since the selection was always fascinating to them. The Vernon catalog
would cram seven toys to a page with good descriptions to explain how
the toys worked and their educational value, if any. We loved the
children's doctor's and surgeon's scrubs, with cap and stethoscope for
$39.95 and the 10-piece police outfit and equipment bag, including
aviator sunglasses, vinyl vest and flashlight for $24.95 that the Vernon
catalog featured for kids in the '90s. A related catalog is also
published for children, Lill's Kids, with backpacks, easels, books, toys
and games. Lillian Vernon Corp. Virginia Beach, VA 23479
800-545-5426 lillianvernon.com
The L. L. BEAN catalog features
clothing for men and women in their unique style. There are also
related items like unusual flashlights, personal organizers, bathrobes,
the Radio Flyer collection of tricycles, walker wagons and the Little
Red Fire Engine for children. It's fun to look at the L. L. Bean
merchandize online, but the catalog is a different, more intimate
experience. L. L. Bean Freeport, ME 04033 800-221-4221 llbean.com
M
MARKERTEK VIDEO SUPPLY's catalog
can run hundreds of black-and-white pages with the best in cables,
repair tools, field gear, speakers/monitors, microphones and headphones
for the video professional and amateur broadcaster. The selection is
tremendous, from bargains to top-of-the-line stuff. Markertek 4 High
St. Box 397 Saugerties NY 12477 800-522-2025
MIDNIGHT VELVET is "luxuries made
affordable," according to the company, and indeed the prices are
reasonable. The selection of jewelry, clothing, handbags and some shoes
is rather extensive and they're all of obviously great quality. There
are even some items for men, dispersed among the well-illustrated pages
as though they might be considered great gift items. There are even
some dolls, odds items like unusual telephones and figurines. Midnight
Velvet 1112 7th Ave. Monroe, WI 53566 608-324-6611 (customer
service)
MICROSCOPE.COM is an online catalog of, you guessed it,
microscopes. All shapes and sizes, from mini- to maxi-scopes, and the
prices are reasonable too, considering the quality of the merchandise
here. There are even microscope-cameras and lots of accessories for
those who like real close-ups.
THE MIND'S EYE catalog aims for
the unusual: a radio/tape player that looks like a 1950s jukebox; a
small cookie jar that looks like a 1950s Studebaker; an I Love Lucy
salt and pepper shaker set; original issues of Life magazine from
1937-1972 for $35 each, and so on. Fun just to browse. The Mind's
Eye Memory Lane Chelmsford, MA 01824 800-949-3333
MINDWAVE is a catalog for "Brainy
Toys for Kids Of All Ages," meaning the toys are educational. Trivia
games, learning (flash) cards, hydrogen-fuel toy cars and chess games
are included. There are books that include puzzlers, mazes, sports
brain teasers and word roots. Add that to Perfume Science kits,
experimental games, cartooning and leathermaking kits and you've got a
fun read and some toys that even excite adults. Mindware 2100 County
Rd. C West Roseville, MN 55113 800-274-6123
MOSAIC RECORDS is legendary for
its jazz and blues releases. Rarities by Count Basie, Stan Kenton,
Miles Davis, Art Hodes, Shorty Rogers and many more are featured in this
catalog. Illustrated with album covers. Mosaic Records 35 Melrose
Place Stamford, CT 06902 203-327-7111
So you want to show some recognition of your company's employees, but
where do you get the stuff? That's where the
MOTIVATION!
catalog comes it.
Therein are blank award certificates -- some of them very unique for
motivating employees -- certificate enhancers such as folders, award
plaques, forms, frames and special folders, recognition pins. And then
there are crystal-like desktop awards to be engraved, award clocks,
personalized announcement, unique suggestion boxes and motivational
lithographs. The photos of the merchandise in the catalog are crisp and
they bring the items to life. Motivation! 720 International Parkway
P. O. Box 450939 Sunrise, FL 33345 800-999-9991
MOVIES UNLIMITED has been a leader
in video catalogs for decades, staring in the 1980s with the biggest and
best catalog collection anywhere of movies and TV shows for sale.
They're still going and they periodically send out well-illustrated
updates in small-catalog form. Not only do they have the classics, they
also feature the latest DVD releases. Movies Unlimited 3015 Darnell
Road Philadelphia, PA 19154
THE MYRON COLLECTION is a catalog
of personally-imprinted holiday cards. The embossing is meticulous and
the graphics are simple and pleasing on most of the cards listed, such
as a gold Christmas Tree on a black background. Myron Manufacturing
Corp. 205 Maywood Ave. Maywood, NJ 07607 201-843-6796
N
THE NATURE COMPANY catalog
celebrates and educates in environmental facts and projects, just as the
brick-and-mortar stores do in several states. It features posters and
books on how to identify animals, books on "going green," outdoors
materials and clothing, prints by wildlife artists, nature-related books
and toys, telescopes, birdbaths and candles. Each item is color
illustrated. The Nature Company P. O. Box 188 Florence, KS 41022
You might think a catalog called NURSE
STATION would feature medical supplies, but the Connecticut-based
company offers mostly nurse-related specialty items. For instance,
nurse dolls, pendants that say "I Love My Patients," stethescopes in a
variety of colors, embroidered cardigans, cartoon character scrubs and
much more. Lots of fun to look at, very unique for giving a nurse a
special gift. Nurses Station P. O. Box 398 Centerbrook, CT
06409 800-227-1927
NUTRITION WAREHOUSE's catalog
offers some of the best prices available on vitamins and homeopathic
medicines. You name it, it seems, and they've got it. The catalog
started nearly 30 years ago and it's been one of the best resources for
good prices on such medicines and vitamins, often offering up to 40% off
retail. Nutrition Warehouse 106 East Jericho Turnpike P. O. Box
311 Mineola, NY 11501 516-741-2929
O
OFFICEMAX may be the biggest of
the office supply chains, but they still put out a catalog of their
merchandize and it's lengthy, thick and colorful. It's kind of a
one-stop-shopping catalog for paper, pencils and pens -- and so much
more! A recent catalog numbered more than 250 pages and includes lists
of variations on the products featured, which makes it almost as good as
going online, except you can look at the catalog much closer to make
your selection. OfficeMax 3506 Warrensville Center Rd. Shaker
Heights, OH 44122 877-OFFICEMAX officemax.com
THE OLD VILLAGE SHOP has a little
of everything. There are lots of home fixtures, like bedspreads and
hurricane lamps, scatter rugs and kitchen items. It's also got women's
evening dresses, some shoes, toys, electronics and baby items. And
jewelry. A little of everything, see? There are clocks, towels
embroidered with symbols of The White House, the Titanic and Buckingham
Palace. As if you'd steal a towel if you were visiting one of those
places. But at the holidays, the Old Village Shop catalog has lots of
good little Christmas gifts. The Old Village Shop P. O. Box 8
Hanover, PA 17333
ONE STEP AHEAD is a catalog of
"thoughtfully selected products" for children. There are plush toys
celebrating religious holidays, tricycles, motor scooters for tots
(running on batteries), activities play yards, desks for post-toddlers,
small playground sets for tots, scales, changing tables and bedding for
toddlers. There's an assortment of items for potty-training, hardwood
gates for keeping children in or out and car seats, diaper bags and some
clothes for toddlers. One Step Ahead P. O. Box 517 Lake Bluff,
IL 60044
ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY is one of
the most basic catalogs of imports from the East. Many of the items are
sold in bulk. There are mainstream candies, but also plastic and wooden
items like Halloween pencils, masks, glow-in-the-dark skeletons, candles
costumes and lots more. Outside of the holiday season, the catalog
features lots of small, inexpensive items for parties, business
promotions and activities. Oriental Trading Company P. O. Box 2659
Omaha NE 68103 orientaltrading.com
ORVIS, "since 1856" is "America's
Oldest Mail Order Company." Their catalog features an assortment of
women's clothing, including pants, suits, skirts, skorts and dresses for
both younger and older women. There are also pullovers and sweaters,
jackets, camel hair coats and exclusive designs. Also in the catalog:
seasonal items such as Christmas cardigans, needlepoint items, fireplace
accessories, wooden tables of all sizes, desk items like a lamp shaped
like a fishing pole, wildlife doormats and a selection of house shoes.
For men, there are pajamas, shirts, sportcoats, slacks and a variety of
hats. Orvis Historic Route 7A P. O. Box 798 Manchester, VT
05254 800-541-3541
P
THE PAMPERED CHEF's catalog
contains cooking utensils for the active home chef. That includes
specialty knifes, forks, spoons and whisks as well as glass, metal and
plastic bowls, spatulas, pots and pans and plates. The Pampered Chef
350 South Route 53 Addison, IL 60101 708-261-8900
THE PARAGON'S FAVORITES
specializes in Christmas gifts, with holiday linens, candlesticks, toys,
crossword puzzle books and specialties, unusual items like a
weatherglass ("Predict the weather just as they didn in 17th Century
Holland. Fill the glass with colored water and watch the liquid level
in the spout. Low means good weather, high means a change is on the
way..."). A very interesting assortment of unusual gifts. The
Paragon's Favorites 89 Tom Harvey Rd. Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-0134
THE PERSONAL TOUCH features "fine
personalized stationary and gifts." That includes envelopes, caps,
bags, cups and wallets, stamps, oragnizers, tapes and signs. Prices are
reasonable for imprinted, personal materials. The Personal Touch P. O.
Box 1623 Elmira, NY 14902
PITTMAN AND DAVIS's catalog
concentrates on fresh fruit gift baskets along with candies and meats
such as smoked turkeys during the pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas
periods. And excellent source for sending fruit gifts, but the costs
usually range from about $15 for just a few grapefruit to $50 for
turkeys and $65 for gourmet tamales. Pittman and Davis P. O. Box
532227 Harlingen, TX 78553 800-289-7829
The PLOW AND HEARTH catalog
features items related to rural living. Oh, it's upscale stuff, but with
a country twang. There are decorations for your garden wall, birdbaths,
firewood caddys, yard and garden tools, books on bats, butterflies and
bluebirds. There are bird feeders, pet care items, country-styled
quilts and comforter and the traditional welded-iron coat rack. Plow
and Hearth 301 Madison Rd. P. O. Box 830 Orange, VA 22960
800-627-1712
POLYLINE CORP. is the answer to the question, "Where do the
people who make some CDs and DVDs get their packaging?" They've got it,
as well as packaging for videocassettes, audio cassettes, reels and DATs.
They're the originals when it comes to direct-to-consumer packaging.
The POTTERY BARN catalog isn't
just pottery -- it's reasonably-priced stuff for your home. That means
throw pillows, photo frames, flatware and plates,light furniture, lamps
and tables with chairs. The Pottery Barn stores are in 13 cities
nationwide. Pottery Barn Mail Order Department P. O. Box 7044 San
Francisco, CA 94120
POTTERY BARN KIDS features items
for children's bathrooms, unique backyard clear-plastic pools for
summer, kids' linens, unusual wooden beds in a large variety of styles
and large wooden toys the likes of which you may not find anywhere
else. Most of the items are available only by catalog. Pottery Barn
Kids p.o. Box 7044 San Francisco, CA 94120 800-430-7373
PRO SING KARAOKE features a large
selection of all kinds of sing-along machines using graphics, DVDs, CDs
and other media. ProSing Karaoke 13614 South 92nd Ave. Orland Park,
IL 60462 800-PRO-SING
PURITAN'S PRIDE once had one of the most colorful
digest-sized catalogs in the vitamin supplements industry. While the
website isn't nearly as eye-pleasing, it is set up in a more efficient
manner than the catalog, which makes it easy to find the vitamins and
other related products you need. The website also includes a number of
informative articles about health and prevention of disease. Puritan's
Pride 1233 Montauk Highway P. O. Box 9001 Oakdale, NY 11769
800-645-1030
Q
QUILL is the catalog for the major
office products retailer, including a wide assortment of Scotch tapes,
Post It Notes, paper items, binders, poly bags, copiers, chairs and
filing cabinets. One of the best. Quill 100 Schelter Rd.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069 800-789-0057
R
RADIO SPIRITS specializes
in the "golden age of radio," primarily the 1930s and '40s. All the
most popular shows are here: Jack Benny, The Shadow, the Whistler,
Gunsmoke, the great detectives and mysteries. Lots of illustrations and
the prices are reasonable. Radio Spirits P. O. Box 3107 Wallingford,
CT 06492 800-833-4248
RAPID FORMS
includes a catalog of
cards for the Christmas holidays, some at discounts. Rapid Forms 301
Grove Road Thorofare, NJ 08086 800-775-7824
REDISCOVER MUSIC's catalog
specializes in music from the past, especially folk music from the 1950s
and '60s. Featured artists include Ian Tyson, Pete Seeger, John
Stewart, the Kingston Trio, the Clancy Brothers and cowboy and Celtic
music. Aztec Corporation 705 S. Washington St. Naperville, IL 60540
RHINO DIRECT is one of the
most interesting of all catalogs for music lovers. It features the
eclectic and dramatic line of music products from the off-brand record
company, Rhino. They've specialized in reviving classic and
not-so-classic recording from the 20th Century, including the boxed CD
sets featuring Doo-Wah music, the Monkees, early Rhythm and Blues and
Rock and Roll, Desi Arnaz and The Doors, early Jazz and Little Rascals
CDs. The catalog is fun just to read, with historical references and
unusual items. Rhino Direct P. O. Box 60008 Tampa, FL 33660
800-432-0020
ROSS-SIMONS' catalog is a
lavishly-illustrated compendium of fine jewelry, plates and silverware
collectibles, along with upscale dinnerware, fondue sets and embellished
silver items. Of course, the items are pricey but they're among the
finest such items available. There are crib sets, snowglobes and some
kitchen sets, all of the finest quality. Ross-Simons 9 Ross-Simons
Dr. Cranston, RI 02920 800-556-7376
S
SCANNER WORLD, USA is
lightly illustrated in black-and-white, but the stunning selection of
radios makes up for the cheaper design. In fact, just about anything an
amateur radio enthusiast might want is in this catalog. From Bearcats
to specialized scanner antennas, the catalog is filled with hard-to-find
radios and accessories. There are reference books, CB radios and
rechargeable battery sets, too. Scanner World, USA 10 New Scotland
Ave. Albany, NY 12208 518-436-9606
SENSATIONAL BEGINNINGS is a
catalog of high-end toys, but even though the prices are a little steep
sometimes, if you have children you'll still want it for the unusual
toys therein, toys you might not be able to find elsewhere. And some of
the toys are downright reasonably priced. Sensational Beginnings P.
O. Box 2009 987 Stewart Road Monroe, MI 48162 800-444-2147
sb-kids.com
SERENADE's catalog features
a fascinating array of upscale gifts, including paintings, jewelry,
bookends and clocks, glasses and figurines -- but mostly women's
clothing and accessories. The catalog is beautifully arranged.
Serenade 8 Olsen Ave., Edison, NJ 08820 800-233-8424
SEVENTH AVENUE is another
specialties catalog with unusual dinnerware, linens, clothing and
furniture. The catalog is beautifully laid out and the items have to be
seen to believed. There are also perfumes, toiletries, handbags,
fitness items and electronics. Seventh Avenue 1122 Seventh Avenue
Monroe Wisconsin
SHADE TREE POWERSPORTS
calls itself a "leader in outdoor fun." It's mostly for the motorcycle
enthusiast, with everything from helmets and gloves to tires and
jackets. The photos are good; they really give you a feeling for what
you're buying. Shade Tree P. O. Box Middlefield, OH 44062
888-SHADETREE
THE SHARPER IMAGE catalog
became legendary in the 1990s for its unusual array of products, mostly
based on clever electronics. There was the car air purifier that stuck
to your dashboard. There was the "digital alcohol breath tester" and
the "eight-power golf scope" to reveal distance to the next hole. The
company may have downsized, but the catalog remains legendary. The
Sharper Image 650 Davis Street San Francisco, CA 94111
800-344-4444
SHOE EXPRESS
speicalizes in
ladies' large and wide shoes, with 9-15 AAAAA to WW covered, as well as
6-15 wide to WW. The thin catalog includes prices and small photos of
the shoes available. Shoe Express P. O. Box 31537 Lafayette, LA
70593 318-235-5191
SMITH+NOBLE's catalog
settles on light home furnishings like Roman shades and valances, wooden
blinds and the like, but with a creative twist. One page is covered
with swatches from which to choose fabrics. The closeup photos give a
good feel for the wood in the blinds and the use of all the furnishings
in everyday home settings make for a great way to get a feeling for how
the merchandise looks. There are extensive colors of metal blinds and
swatches of fabric reproduced on the slick glossy pages to choose fabric
for roller shades. There are pleated shades, vertical blinds, soft
shades and specialized fabrics that Smith+Noble claims are exclusive.
As you might expect with such attention to minutiae, the prices are a
little high. But in contrast, the quality is very high. Smith +
Noble 1801 California Ave. Corona, CA 92881 800-248-8888
SOLUTIONS has always
carried cutting edge products for people on-the-go, including clever
kitchen utinsels, compact game boards and coffee-and-food containers
that can fit in a bag, comfortable fold-up mats that convert into a bed,
fold-up indoor ladders, convenient bathroom tub cleaners and exercise
equipment. Prices are mid-level, with some items seeming expensive
while others seem quite reasonable. Solutions P.O. Box 6878 Portland
OR 97228 800-342-9988
SONY STYLE is perhaps the
most elaborate catalog out today. Often running into the hundreds of
pages, the slick magazine-style catalog features nearly all of Sony's
products in a warm format featuring models posing with the merchandise.
It's really a catalog, since it features the items' model and production
numbers and items can be ordered from the book, but it's also a
periodical, with a regular publishing schedule, articles and profuse
photography centered on the sale items and lots of hip imagery -- and
you're really more encouraged to see your local dealer than to order
from the book. Sony Style P. O. Box 9500 Cranbury, NJ 08512
SPECIAL INTEREST VIDEO
features just that -- DVDs on reaching your potential, biographies and
historical videos, classics, videos for children, videos on opera,
learning a foreign language and how-to-dance, even videos on belly
dancing. Special Interest Video 100 Enterprise Place P. O. Box
7022 Dover, DE 19903 800-336-9660
THE SPRINGHILL GARDEN BOOK
includes hundreds of plants, trees and shrubs, colorfully illustrated
with photos of most of the plants for sale. It's easy to color-key your
garden using this catalog, and the prices are good. Fun to peruse, with
it's tranquil settings for shrubs and trees and large photos of plants.
Uniquely, Springhill used to send out catalogs with personal titles for
the recipient. For instance, if the catalog was being sent to the Jones
family, the title heading on the front of the catalog was "The Jones
Garden Book." Springhill 110 West Elm St. Tipp City, OH 45371
SQP is "one-stop shopping
for the best in fantasy and comic art," a black-and-white pulp catalog
of graphic novels, action figures, calendars, art books and portfolios
by top comic book-style artists, and some more obscure practitioners.
The photos are sometimes amateurish, but are always well-representative
of the merchandise for sale. Amazing graphics, as you'd expect from
great fantasy artists. SQ Productions P. O. Box 4569 Toms River,
NJ 08754
THE SWISS COLONY does its
best to be a one-stop catalog for holiday gifts, but much of the
available material is good all year long. Features gourmet candies and
cakes, meat-and-nuts baskets, cheese bricks and assortments, hams, glass
figurines, candy boxes, toys, fancy mixed nut assortments and more. The
Swiss Colony 1112 7th Ave. Monroe,WI 53566 swisscolony.com telephone
orders: 608-324-6000
T
TALBOTS KIDS is a catalog of upscale
clothing for children, including shirts, shorts, skirts, skorts,
blouses, hats and dresses. There are even items for babies and swim
suits for older kids. The clothing tends toward bright and colorful,
with equal attention often paid to boys and well as girls, with boys'
suits sometimes featured. Talbots Kids One Talbots Drive Higham, MA
02043 800-KIDS-123
TERRY'S VILLAGE is a
general-merchandise catalog of interesting items for the home.
Interesting, like, a wooden sign in the shape of a cow that says, "Udderly
Fresh!" There's a wooden lamp in the shape of a red-white-and-blue
lighthouse. Here's a 1950s-style metal sculpture in the shape of sun.
There's a birdhouse in the shape of an old-fashioned little
schoolhouse. There are accessories for the bathroom and even a section
devoted to "purple," such as purple-accented swan planters, purple
candles in a glass candle bowl, a purple resin Victorian Shoe pin
cushion. A quirky selection of merchandise that makes perusal of the
catalog a fun experience. Terry's Village P.O. Box 2315 Omaha,
NE 68103 800-200-4400 terrysvillage.com
TEXAS ART SUPPLY
carries a
large selection of everything for the artist. Whether its drafting
tables, art tables or easels, exotic inks, pastels, oils, watercolors,
colored pencils, brushes, chairs or fine-line pens, technical drawing
and calligraphy kits, books on mosaics and art of all kinds, TAS has it
or can get it for you. They take special orders. Texas Art Supply
2001 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006
Believe it or not, the THIRTYSOMETHING
catalog, based on styles from the 1980s TV series, remained
popular well into the '90s. These were Yuppie stylings at their apex.
The book is now long discontinued, but it's continued popularity after
the series left TV Prime Time was a tribute to the loyalty of the show's
viewers.
THOMPSON is a catalog of
fine cigars and accessories. The fine photos give a feeling for the
quality of, say, a Hoyo de Monterrey or a Don Lino. Among the best
resources for reasonably priced cigars. Thompson P. O. Box 31274
Tampa, FL 33633 800-237-2559
THROUGH THE COUNTRY DOOR is
a stylized "marketplace for country inspired home furnishings, clothing
and gifts." That's about all you need to know, except that the selection
is tremendous and throughout the catalog the Country Door people stay
true to the concept. Next to pretty photos of garden gates (for sale)
and bird houses (for sale) is a t-shirt that says, "I garden, therefore
I weed." There are baker's carts, country cabinets, glider benches and
figurines of frogs. There are clothes inspired by the rural life, dolls
and dresses, shoes and linens with a country flavor. Through the
Country Door 1112 7th Avenue Monroe, WI 53566 800-659-6473
TOYS TO GROW ON
is a
specialty catalog for lots of mainstream and some unusual children's
toys. That means the kids-size McDonald's Fast Food Center as well as
the giant hand puppets, Let's Play School toys, the build-it-yourself
woodworking kit and Jr. Microscope. The Robo-Boxing action figures are
here too. Should you be looking for unique gifts for kids, this is your
catalog. Prices are about what you'd expect -- about the same as (but
sometimes less than) Toys R Us. Toys to Grow On P. O. Box 17
Long Beach, CA 90801 800-987-4454
TRADER JOE'S bills itself
as "Unique Foods and Beverages at Prices Everyone Can Afford." You'll
find San Andres Chilean Wines, liqueur cakes, candies, mirangue
cookies, boxed chocolates, specialty crackers, frozen organic
vegetables, pastas, sauces, seafood dishes and cheeses. The prices are
great and shipping is reasonable. Trader Joe's P. O. Box 3270 South
Pasadena, CA 91031
TROY-BILT is the famous
maker of agricultural tools, and they have a catalog too. It's really
just a cursory look at the top of the company's latest line of trimmers,
mowers, edgers, tillers, etc. with some photos to give you an idea of
what the company's pushing this year, though a centercard is stapled in,
in case you want to order by mail. In the past, the company has offered
free-shipping and financing specials. Troy-Bilt P. O. Box 92369
Cleveland, OH 44193 troybilt.com
U
ULINE is a catalog from the
shipping control specialists. The company has offices in Chicago, Los
Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Newark and Atlanta, but the
catalog is complete and detailed with excellent accompanying photographs
that make the merchandise clear and in perspective. Everything from
large fiber drums and boxes to bags, tapes, paper and plastic materials
of all kinds. Quite a complete catalog. Uline 2200 S. Lakeside Dr.
Waukegan, IL 60085 800-295-5510 uline.com
UPSTAIRS RECORDS has a
catalog of items aimed at club DJs and some pro radio DJs. It's
black-and-white pages feature few illustrations, but the listing of so
many different rock and rap records in one place is a valuable
resource. Upstairs Records 2968 Avenue X Brooklyn, NY 11235
800-824-0855
V
VALUE ONE's catalog is
similar to that of Fingerhut in that it offers specialty items as well
as home items, offers a discount and monthly payments. That means there
are bedroom sets, some quite elaborate, as well as exercise equipment.
There are phones as well as kitchen pots and flatware sets. Value
One 800-522-3035
VIDEO YESTERYEAR
specializes in vintage video from the 1920s, '30s and later. One-color
catalogs have featured obscure short comedies from the 1920s, classic
features from Douglas Fairbanks and Cary Grant, and classic Saturday
serials. Their selection in their main catalog is among the most
extensive of classic movie purveyors. Video Yesteryear Box C Sandy
Hook, CT 06482
VIKING OFFICE PRODUCTS
is
just that -- good deals on quantities of office supplies. Everything
from paper supplies and tapes to computer inks and filing cabinets. The
prices are good and the catalog includes specific photos of the items on
sale. Viking Office Products 950 West 190th St. Torrance, CA
90502 800-421-1222
W
WALTER DRAKE's catalog has
been around for more than half a century, and the unusual items at very
reasonable prices still make people smile or giggle. Each catalog has a
wide array of items you probably won't find anywhere else, such as the
30-ounce jumbo ceramic mug (holds nearly 3 cans of soft drink!), the
"instant-traction" liquid in a spray bottle for use on tires in the snow
-- or what about the 20,000 hour light bulb? Walter Drake and Sons 26
Drake Building Colorado Springs, CO 80940 800-525-9291
WINTERTHUR "New Traditions
for Home and Gardens from Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library." It's
a luxurious assortment of upscale table covers, rugs, mirrors, lamps,
garden statues, pottery and figurines, all in an antique style. Many of
the items in the catalog are hand-painted and have a one-of-a-kind
feel. There are even some jewelry and kitchen items. Very unique.
Winterthur, Winterthur, Delaware 19735 800-767-0500
THE WISCONSIN CHEESEMAN is
just what you'd expect -- Wisconsin cheeses galore. But you can expect
more: sausages, a variety of nuts, cookies, cakes, candies and items
like gingerbread houses at Chistmastime. There are also plenty of
specialty items like collector's thimbles, figurines, painted art plates
and sugar-free candy and other items. It's a great catalog to thumb
through as you begin shopping, especially if you do so before
Thanksgiving, because the seasonal items in their Christmas catalog will
really put you in mind of the holidays. The Wisconsin Cheeseman P.
O. Box 1 Madison, WI 53701 608-258-3000
Y
YIELD HOUSE has always
featured old-fashioned items for the "country home," even in the city.
Specializing in Christmas season decorations, it also features tables,
lamps and chairs of unique designs. Armoires, specialty mirrors,
cabinets, towels, pillows and chests, quilts, pillowcases and
old-fashioned toys. The catalog is bright and colorful in an
old-fashioned way, as you'd expect. Yield House P. O. Box 5000
North Conway, NH 03860 800-258-4720
Entire contents copyright © 2010 by
Michael Shiloh, Jack Bennett, Michael Kelly |
