Small Houses of the Twenties: The Sears, Roebuck 1926 House Catalog (Dover Pictorial Archives) [UNABRIDGED] (Paperback)

by Sears Roebuck and Co. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Excellent reproduction of rare catalog illustrates and describes 86 different types of houses and bungalows still in evidence across America. Over 300 photographs, illustrations and floor plans with full descriptions comprise an invaluable sourcebook for study, authentication or restoration of antique articles or architecture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486267091
• ISBN-13: 978-0486267098
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,475 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #92 in

  Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Bibliographies & Indexes > Art & Photography

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting study of early 20th century architecture., January 2, 1998

By A Customer

For the architect, artist or historian, this unabridged reprint of the actual 1926 Catalog of Houses from Sears and Roebuck is a very absorbing read. The student of architecture will note the simplicity of the home in 1926. The absence of a "family room", and a limited number of small bedrooms in most designs, will cause one to imagine that families must have spent considerable time together in the common areas of the home. There seemed to be no need for a separate room, where other activites could be carried on, while mother and father talked with their guests in the living room. There are also fewer rooms designated for specific tasks, such as an office, den, laundry room or even bathrooms in some cases. For the artist or illustrator, it provides an excellent source of information dealing with home sizes and historically correct drawings. When dealing with the illustration of period homes, this is an excellent choice for reference material. Included with each home is a full floor plan, from which one can deterimine if the size is appropriate for the family who will live in it, and a beautiful rendering of the exterior. Historians will appreciate the detailed quality of this reprinted catalog. There are many details which reflect the lifestyle in the early 20th century including lighting, heating and even the kitchen sink! You can now drive down the streets of the old part of town, knowing what was originally included in these homes of yesteryear - and maybe find one that was ordered from this very catalog. An excellent read, this reprint makes it fun to become immersed in the earlier part of this century. Becoming aware of the things that were important to families at that time, one can be more in touch with how our parents and grandparents might have lived.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good companion book to "Houses by Mail", August 21, 2000

By	Rosemary Thornton "The Houses That Sears Built" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

You won't find any houses in this book that are not already included in "Houses by Mail", but this Dover reprint of an original 1926 Sears Catalogue of Houses is an interesting read.

It gives more complete information about the old houses and their blueprints, and also has a detailed listing of hardware, with excellent photos, which goes a long way in helping identify Sears Homes.

It's a big book - about 8 x 11, and the information is much easier to read than the half-sized "Houses by Mail."

Personally, I own a couple copies of this book and frequently recommend it at my lectures.

Rose
author, The Houses That Sears Built

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for research, history lessons or Sims lovers, July 16, 2001

By A Customer

Includes detailed floor plans, original advertising, prices & financing info and very 1920s style descriptions from the cataolgue. Sitting down with the book is like sitting down with the actual catalogue. There's no extraneous commentary, aside from a publisher's note.

I especially recommend it to fellow early 20th century history buffs. Sim-lovers like me might appreciate the excellent conscise plans to follow (bubble machine room not included).

It makes me wish *I* could order one of these "Honor Built Houses." There's even an order form. One fun thing to take note of is how many floor plans do *not* include a bathroom. Although they do offer outhouses ;)