For book-lovers, publishers’ catalogs are an ultimate piece of ephemera. Usually issued at least twice a year, catalogs featured both new and upcoming titles and back stock. Book descriptions often included illustrations, story summaries, publication dates, book sizes, page numbers and prices. Sometimes, order forms were included for bookstores and libraries, the principle recipients of the catalogs. Catalogs were disposable and the certain knowledge that a new, updated version would be appearing within a few months meant that they were trashed after use. Vintage examples are chock full of collector information and a mirror into the past.

Books for Boys and Girls is a 1937 book catalog from Thomas Nelson and Sons with an attractive blue and white cover and sharp black and white illustrations throughout. In addition to several notable books (including Elisabeth the Ghost Cow, a remarkably scarce title by William Pene DuBois), this also features a section of author portraits, including Leonard Weisgard, Ellis Credle, and Pelagie Doane. Measuring 6 x 8,” this 28-page catalog is in About Fine condition.