Toy catalog mail

The nostalgia! Toy catalogs by mail were a staple of childhoods past. Here's a brief history and some fun facts:

History:

  1. The first toy catalog was published in 1870 by the German toy company, Märklin.
  2. In the United States, the first toy catalog was published by the Lionel Corporation in 1900.
  3. By the mid-20th century, toy catalogs became a popular way for companies to showcase their products and for children to browse and order their favorite toys.

Fun Facts:

  1. The iconic toy catalog, Toys "R" Us, was founded in 1948 by Charles Lazarus and was known for its massive catalogs that arrived in mailboxes every year.
  2. The first Toys "R" Us catalog was 32 pages long and featured 1,000 products.
  3. The catalogs were so popular that they became a staple of childhood, with many kids eagerly awaiting their arrival each year.
  4. The catalogs were often filled with colorful illustrations, fun games, and puzzles, making them a treat for kids to browse through.
  5. The rise of online shopping and digital catalogs led to a decline in the popularity of printed toy catalogs, with many companies discontinuing their print catalogs in the 2000s.

Some popular toy catalogs by mail:

  1. Toys "R" Us (now defunct)
  2. Sears Wish Book (now defunct)
  3. JCPenney Christmas Book (still published, but mostly online)
  4. Montgomery Ward Christmas Book (now defunct)
  5. Spiegel Catalog (now defunct, but still remembered for its toy section)

Why toy catalogs by mail were special:

  1. The excitement of receiving a new catalog in the mail, filled with new toys and games to discover.
  2. The tactile experience of flipping through pages, feeling the weight of the catalog, and seeing the colorful illustrations.
  3. The sense of independence and autonomy that came with ordering toys directly from the catalog.
  4. The nostalgia and memories associated with flipping through the catalog with family and friends.

While the tradition of receiving toy catalogs by mail may be a thing of the past, many companies still publish digital catalogs and offer online shopping experiences that evoke the same sense of excitement and wonder.