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 : Toys : Dolls : Games is a four-page folder/brochure featuring a lovely full color cover illustration of a mother and children reading. Subtitled To Keep Busy the Little Hands and Little Head, this is undated (but certainly around 1920). Inside, it features the book, The Fun of Being Good (1918) and a listing of all the various items for children available from Sam’l Gabriel Sons publishers: “Magic” Drawing Books, “Word Building” Books, Paper Dolls and Costumes, Soldier Sheets (to Cut Out), Stencil Games, Doll Dressmaking Sets, Picture Alphabet Rockers, and much, much more. The back cover, in full color, illustrates five individual movable toys. Measuring 4 x 5” and in Fine condition.