Sears Catalog collection, 1902-1994

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Summary

Creator:
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Abstract:
Department store chain founded in 1893 as a mail order business; one of the largest retailers in the United States. Collection consists of seasonal catalogs and wish books spanning the years 1910-1994. Catalogs featured the full range of items sold by Sears, from clothing to appliances and toys, and served as a bridge between the company's walk-in department stored and direct marketing mail order business. Initially featured unbranded products before adopting a number of Sears' house brands and eventually featuring nationally branded products. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
12.25 Linear Feet
Physical description:
55 items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01161

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of seasonal catalogs and wish books spanning the years 1902-1994. Catalogs feature the full range of items sold by Sears, from clothing to appliances and toys, and served as a bridge between the company's walk-in department stores and direct marketing mail-order business. Initially featured unbranded products before adopting a number of Sears' house brands and eventually featuring nationally branded products.

Biographical / historical:

Founded 1893 by Richard Sears and Alva Roebuck as a mail order business. Sears opened its first department stores in 1925 and rose to become the largest retailer in the United States. Acquired by KMart in 2005.

Acquisition information:
The Sears Catalog Collection were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1999 and as a purchase from Zephyr Used Rare Books in 2022.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, March 2014

Encoded by Richard Collier, March 2014

Updated by Leah Tams, October 2022

Accessions 1999-0237 and 2022-0137 are described in this collection guide.

Arrangement:

Catalogs are arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Mail-order business
Direct marketing
Advertising -- Brand name products
Commercial catalogs
Advertising, Direct-mail -- United States
Advertising -- Clothing and dress
Format:
Mail order catalogs
Trade catalogs
Names:
Sears, Roebuck and Company
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sears Catalog Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m17q12