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 1937 book catalog with a wonderful Christmas-themed cover and title page and black and white illustrations throughout. Books are featured by such notable figures as Helen Sewell, Marguerite de Angeli, Berta and Elmer Hader, and Robert Lawson. Measuring 9 x 6-1/4,” this 36-page catalog is in Fine condition.