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.

Macmillan Books for Boys and Girls is a 1928 book catalog with an extremely striking blue, black and white cover and black and white (and several fabulous full color) illustrations throughout. In addition to several notable books (including a full listing of Mamillan’s Happy Hour Books), this also features a section of author portraits, including Peggy Bacon, Boris Artzbasheff, and Cornelia Meigs. Measuring 6 x 9,” this 68-page catalog is in About Fine condition.