Does Sears still send out catalogs?

 

LISTENING TO NPR:

There was a piece on the radio this morning about catalogs. The interview started with how many things have been killed off by the internet; Rolodex, paper maps, but not catalogs. Huh? Someone counted the number of catalogs they received during the week and received an average of fourteen catalogs.

When I lived in Barrow during the 90's, I received all sorts of fabulous catalogs all the way from barge order catalogs to Gumps of San Francisco. Unfortunately most of the catalogs would usually have a disclaimer that states specifically that they will not deliver to Alaska or Hawaii. Eventually I learned that the work around for that was to put the street address of the postoffice in the order form and next line put in the po box number so it looked like an apartment number. And I do remember ordering a very large steel kitchen storage shelving unit that cost over one thousand dollars including shipping. which had to be shipped in special air at another little terminal in Barrow. I'm pretty sure it was the need for something to put my grow lights and plants on that prompted that thrifty purchase. Had a tussle just getting it upstairs. I think it went for 50 bucks at the yard sale.  Here is a tip:  Always go to yard sales in Barrow.

 

However, I loved the luxury catalogs. There were the drool worthy furniture catalogs that were literally furniture porn. Oh and the food catalogs for Christmas gift baskets, very sexy. But my absolute favorite was Gumps. A store in San Francisco sent out the exquisite catalogs filled with spendy little treasures. My favorite item was a collection of Limoges nativity figures that were hinged to open. I think there were the basic three; baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a donkey, a camel and sheep, shepherds, the three wise guys. The complete set was nearly 2000 dollars but boy was I ever tempted. Loved those figures. Now I would be terrified to put them on display because our cats may be senior citizens but they are spry enough to investigate and destroy anything new or unusual. I should probably go Google to see if they are still popular. Oh yes, Limoges nativity set still available at Gumps for 2,999.00 and they are SOLD OUT. Jeez.

Now a days we get catalogs but they are more generic; Dollar Store etc. sigh...not the same.