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Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue and Buyers' Guide (1895) Paperback – February 3, 2015

by Montgomery Ward & Co. (Creator)

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"Our mail order methods meet many wants," wrote a poetic but anonymous copywriter on a page of the 1895 Montgomery Ward & Co. catalogue. He had a gift for understatement. At its zenith from the 1880s to the 1940s, Montgomery Ward, like its cross-town Chicago rival, Sears, sold virtually everything the average American could think of or desire—and by mail. This was a revolution, and Ward's fired the first shot. To buy spittoons, books of gospel hymns, hat pins, rifles, wagons, violins, birdcages, or portable bathtubs, purchases that used to require many separate trips to specialist merchants, suddenly all the American shopper had to do was lick a stamp. This unabridged facsimile of the retail giant's 1895 catalogue showcases some 25,000 items, from the necessities of life (flour, shirts) to products whose time has passed (ear trumpets). It is an important resource for antiquaries, students of Americana, writers of historical fiction, and anyone who wants to know how much his great-grandfather paid for his suspenders. It is a true record of an era.

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About the Author

Montgomery Ward & Co., founded in 1872, was the world’s first mail-order goods business. The company once boasted more than six hundred stores but since 2004 is exclusively an online retailer.

Nick Lyons is the author of more than twenty books and hundreds of articles that have appeared in magazines such as Harper’s, Outside, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life. His books include his famous Spring Creek, Bright Rivers, and Fishing Stories. He is a former English professor and book publisher.

Product details

Item Weight : 2.72 pounds
Paperback : 656 pages
ISBN-10 : 1629145963
ISBN-13 : 978-1629145969
Dimensions : 8.5 x 1.25 x 11 inches
Publisher : Skyhorse; Reissue edition (February 3, 2015)
Language: : English

Best Sellers Rank: #1,314,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #140 in Antique & Collectible Advertising (Books)
- #437 in Americana Antiques & Collectibles
- #467 in Conversation Etiquette Guides

Customer Reviews:
85 ratings

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4 star		8%
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DeeDiDee

Hours of Entertainment

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2015

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While I can honestly say the Sears Roebuck catalogues are my favorite, this Montgomery Ward catalogue is no slouch! It doesn't have the same number of goods as the Sears Catalogue and it might be slightly too heavy on clothing goods, but this catalogue is filled with entertaining descriptions of all manner of goods from the end of the 19th century. I found the print to be tiny but sharp and clear. I recommend this to anyone looking for a glimpse of what Americans used in their homes during this time period.

4 people found this helpful

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Strongbeard

A valuable resource for the re-enactor / cosplay / steampunk or historical educator

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2013

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You would not find a more graphic and accurate description of the clothing, jewelry, tools, etc. of the time period. This is basically the mail order catalog of everything you could get delivered by train. The Montgomery Ward Catalog is a little better than the sears and roebuck catalog in my opinion. This book contains a wider selection of merchandise. A highly recommended resource for anyone interested in the "old ways" Makes for a very interesting coffee table book as well.

8 people found this helpful

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Libby P.

Awesome!

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2011

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This book is a must for all history buffs or people that are interested in that time period. Personally I am both those things, so this book is like Christmas morning for me. It is full of so much interesting stuff and it really helps you to understand what life was like in the late 1800's It's amazing some of the wierd and crazy stuff in this catalogue, and how cheap things were (at least by our standards). It really brings that world to life and I highly recommend it to everyone!

8 people found this helpful

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norman campbell

It is just like a history book and I'm sure a lot of ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017

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It was very interesting it shows how the old people lived and played then just try to survive.
I had one of these catalogs years ago but it got stolen out of my motorhome enough said. It is just like a history book and I'm sure a lot of younger people would be interested in this. And I never get tired of scanning through it

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Hope J. Higgins

Brings the past back to the present!

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018

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I love these old catalogues. Could look at this Montgomery Ward Catalog for hours...fun and entertaining and brings history back.

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joel flores

Excellent reproduction.

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2017

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Excellent quality reproduction. Purchased for a Museum display so that guests could have a hands on experience. Durable and fits in perfectly with the antiques surrounding it.

One person found this helpful

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SaL

Catalog showing items from 1895

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2016

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So fun to read about all the stuff they used to sell from days gone by. My husband enjoys looking at the guns and the prices! Great bathroom book ;) So many interesting things, most would enjoy this book.

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elizabeth nolan

My only complaint was the book wasn't in great condition. The book is fun to read and ...

Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016

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I've bought this and a smaller one on here. My only complaint was the book wasn't in great condition. The book is fun to read and there are lovely pictures to look at. You almost want to place an order!

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Susan Bailey

I like it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2014

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I like it as it shows what was available in 1895 and the cost of things at that time. It is a very large book, with lots of detail and descriptions of the items. It would be nice if you could get other catalogues from the same people about 3 years apart to compare what was available. It does show you what the fashions were like and value of money at that time.

could be a help to anyone either writing about that time or someone checking on an authors research.

Jim Barker

Bloody Brilliant.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2012

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I have been looking for one of these for years I am so glad I got this I will be looking through this for the rest of my life, it is without doubt the most interesting and amazing thing I have ever purchased. Ounce started I find it virtually impossible to put down. Go on get one you will be amazed. ( If you are in to nostalga that is.)

Mr. A. Kelly

Historical View

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2015

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Kind of a 1895 Argos Book, its a very interesting view on 1895 American life.

Bücherfresser

Für historisch Interessierte ein klasse Nachschlagewerk der Konsumkultur

Reviewed in Germany on August 27, 2011

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Den Inhalt des Bandes zu bewerten ist müßig. Schließlich ist es ein Reprint des Originals und wie bitteschön will man historische Versandkataloge bewerten?
Okay, das ist ohnehin jedem klar, also kurz zur Qualität. Preis-Leistung stehen hier in gutem Verhältnis, der Katalog ist ein absolut originalgetreues Reprint (so enthält er zum Beispiel auch etliche Leerseiten für "notice") und als richtig dicker Schinken von rund 650 Seiten der er nunmal ist, enthält er so ziemlich alles, was der private Konsument zu jener Zeit brauchen konnte. Oder ihm schmackhaft gemacht werden sollte.
Durch die Produktbeschreibungen und anschaulichen sowie detaillierten Produktzeichnungen zu schmökern, ist an sich schon anregend genug. Schließlich ist es nicht nur ein simpler Katalog, sondern auch ein "buyers guide". Für historisch interessierte kommt aber noch hinzu, dass man hier endlich einmal Gelegenheit hat, die originalen Bezeichnungen für fast jedes Konsumgut des Alltags im wilden Westen und im zivilisierten Osten der USA aus erster Hand zu erfahren. Ich selber habe zum Beispiel lange Zeit vergeblich versucht, die Bezeichnungen für all die tollen Hüte und Bekleidungsstücke herauszufinden, die man in originalgetreuen Filmen oder Serien (ich sage nur Deadwood) zu sehen bekommt. Seit ich den Montgomery Ward Katalog besitze, kann ich nun aber die meisten der alten Kleidungsstücke mit ihren zeitgemäßen Bezeichnungen benennen. Dasselbe gilt z.B. natürlich auch für Waffen: man kann de Merkmale und Bezeichnungen nachlesen und außerdem erkennen, ob ältere Modelle wie etwa die Winchester 73 im Jahr 1895 noch zum Standardangebot gehörten. Zudem erhält man einen hervorragenden Überblick über all jene Waffen, die Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts von Zivilisten üblicherweise verwendet wurden. Und da kann man so mache Entdeckung machen, die sonst in keinem Buch oder gar Film zu sehen sind. Einfach Klasse, sich beim blättern in die Zeit zurückversetzten zu können. Nicht zu vergessen auch die Option, gleich mal nach den damaligen Preisen zu schauen (dabei aber nicht die Kaufkraft jener Tage und damit die Umrechnung in heutige Dimensionen zu vergessen. Kleines Beispiel: was 1895 $5 kostete, würde heute $129.27 kosten oder anders ausgedrückt, wenn man genau dasselbe Gut 2010 und 1895 kaufen könnte, würde es heute $5 und seinerzeit $0.20 gekostet haben).
Dritter Pluspunkt: der Katalog macht sich hervorragend im Regal mit all den Nachschlagewerken zum amerikanischen Westen und fällt aufgrund seiner heute äußerst nostalgisch wirkenden historischen Gestaltung sofort auf und ins Auge. "Vintage" nennen das die Amis und die Augen des Betrachters glänzen ob der guten alten Zeit...
Ob nun in der eigenen Bibliothek oder als Deko auf der Hausbar im Westernstyle - man hat einfach Freude und Nutzen an dem Reprint. Wer sich für den Wilden Westen oder allgemein für die Zeit um das Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts in den USA interessiert, wird schlicht und einfach viel Freude mit dem Katalog haben. Und jeder Gast wird ihn mit einem erstaunt-anerkennendem Hochziehen der Augenbrauen mit dem Kommentar: "Wow, SOWAS habe ich nun wirklich noch nie in der Hand gehabt!" bewundern.

4 people found this helpful

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FreakSewing

Tremendamente completo e interesante

Reviewed in Spain on April 4, 2020

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Es super
, he encontrado todo lo que queria para mis trabajos

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Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue and Buyers' Guide (1895) Paperback – February 3, 2015

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