I can't imagine anyone reading this thing for fun these days, but these were certainly the material dreams of those hard working immigrants that came before us. These catalogs were not help by individuals but were located in general stores and dry goods shops for ordering and fueling dreams. Virtually everything could be ordered from good old Sears Roebuck from the tools used to pull teeth, to early toilets, to carriages and clothing, practially everything but a house (although there is a section on tents and coverings that look as big as houses). An indespensable research tool for writers, students, and researchers interested in Americana.

I finally ordered this book because I had kept my sisters copy so long she was threatening bodily harm if I didn't return it. It really is a fascinating way to kill a few minutes or a few hours and could conceivably be used as a decent historical reference. I was disappointed some of the sections are missing a number of pages but I am assuming they haven't survived the last century intact. I found the sections on tools and household utensils particularly fascinating, although the tool section is one missing pages, and the section on cameras and projectors is a very revealing look at what amounted to career choices at the turn of the century. Sears also had a way with advertising verbage which makes you think you'd not only be an absolute fool for ordering anywhere else, but you should actually send them more than the asking price.

All in all an enjoyable, informative look at life a century ago. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this publication to anyone.