R. Hoe & Co.'s patent newspaper stop and cylinder presses, New York, 1881.
The trade catalogs collection includes over 1,300 catalogs, many illustrated. Though seemingly ephemeral, trade catalogs are an invaluable source for the study of social, business, industrial, and advertising history. The collection includes catalogs for many products such as books, drugs, seeds, tools, clocks, coffins, livestock, and presses.
Access
The collection is fully cataloged online in the General Catalog.
Resources
Romaine, Lawrence B. Guide to American Trade Catalogues, 1744-1900. New York, 1960.
Seed catalogs are highlighted in the AAS online exhibition Big Business: Food Production, Processing & Distribution in the North 1850-1900.