The Old Catablog » Sears

First Prize Dog Power

ToastR — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:48:59 +0000

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalog of 1897:

First Prize Dog Power.
No. 16924. This power can be operated by a dog, goat or sheep; yields 25 per cent. more power from a given weight of animal than any other, and with adjustable bridge to regulate the required power and motion, a 30 pound animal will do the churning; if you keep a dog, make him “work his passage.” The power can be connected to any churn sold by us.
Price….. $15.00

The illustration above shows how the double dog power can be used in operating a cream separator. When the separator is not in use and you desire to churn, connect it to tumbling rod sent with machine. A corn sheller, fan mill or sawing machine can be connected by belt from balance wheel. Separators require a high gear, and for this purpose we recommend our steel pulley, 3½x36 inches. This we can furnish at $6 extra. If iron coupling rod and coupling as shown in illustration are desired to connect and run cream separator, we can furnish them at $3 extra.

Ear Trumpets, Tubes, Etc.

ToastR — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:06:13 +0000

From the Sears Roebuck Catalogue of 1897:

EAR TRUMPETS, TUBES, ETC.

No. 69613. Ear Trumpet, bugle shape, made of japanned metal in three sizes, small, medium or large. Each….. $1.90

No. 69674. London Hearing Horn, nickel plated, size 2½ to 4 inches in length. They are for the use of those who are moderately deaf and are easily concealed in the hand when in use. Each….. $2.25

No. 69675. Conversation Tube of flexible mohair, 3 feet in length with rubber ends. This tube is suited to the most obstinate cases of deafness. Each….. $2.75

Electro Medical Batteries

ToastR — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:02:46 +0000

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue of 1897:

ELECTRO MEDICAL BATTERIES
For Home or Physicians’ Use.

The Electro Medical Battery as a curative agent is becoming more appreciated from day to day. In cases of nervous trouble and partial paralysis it has brought about phenomenal results. The best physicians prescribe its use even when all else fails, and even under such adverse circumstances it often cures. For rheumatism, neuralgia, paralysis and all nervous disorders it seems to be nature’s own cure. There need be no fear from the use of these machines, as there can be no bad results derived. An invalid may use them with perfect safety. There are a great variety of electrical machines and batteries on the market, from which we have selected of each kind those in which we can furnish our customers with the best value for the amount of money expended.
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“Zulu” Gun

ToastR — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:01:40 +0000

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, 1897:

“The Zulu” Breech Loading Shot Gun $3.40.

Our Genuine “Zulu” Breech Loading Shot Gun. A safe, strong and close shooter to load. The hammer must be raised to half cock, the breech block brought over by the thumb from left to right. The extractor is attached to the breech block; by pulling the block backward the shell is extracted. There is a spiral spring that carries block back to position. This is a very strong and durable gun for general purposes; 12 gauge only.

Our special price….. $3.40

From what little I’ve read, the “Zulu” guns were old single-shot muskets modified to use shotgun shells and then imported to the United States (a brief definition can be found at MidwayUSA.) It should also be noted that these shotguns were half the price of their single-barreled brethren in the Sears catalog.

Better Mouse Traps

ToastR — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:20:09 +0000

I wonder if anyone is still trying to make one…

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, 1897:

No 15324. The Rival Rat Trap, made of steel wire, japanned. Size 15 inches long, 7½ inches wide, 6½ inches high. This trap is made with a self-locking, tilting, platform, so when a rat is once inside, he cannot escape. The bait holder is supplied through a lid at the top, and it displays the bait alluringly to rats. It is strong and has been proved a reliable rat catcher, free from all objections common to other traps. Price, each….. 72c

No. 15325. Rat Trap. This is an excellent trap, thoroughly well made from double tinned wire. Size, 6×11 inches. Each….. 25c

No. 15328. Revolving Mouse Trap, made of heavy steel wire. Each….. 15c

No. 15329. This is the most successful mouse catcher ever invented. One mouse sets the trap for the next one that comes along; will hold several. Price, each….. 10c

Choke Mouse Traps, round pattern.
No. 15331. 5 holes, each, 5c; per doz….. 54c

Ropp’s Commercial Calculator

ToastR — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:41:02 +0000

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, 1897:

52076. Ropp’s Commercial Calculator. Saves labor, time and money; simple, rapid, reliable; adapted to all kinds of business, trades and professions. It is unquestionably the most useful, complete and practical work on the science of arithmetic ever published. It is the only work of its kind that has survived the test of time and acquired a national reputation.

No. 1, bound in waterproof leatherette….. $0.18
No. 2, in fine colored cloth, with pocket….. .35
No. 3, in elegant leather, with pocket, silicate slate and account book….. .70
No. 5, fine seal grain, gilt edges….. 1.00

52078. Vest Pocket Edition. Bound in extra red linen cloth….. .18
Seal grain leather….. .35

Postage extra 5c each.

More information about this little book is available here.

Dr. Rose’s Arsenic Wafers

ToastR — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:57:26 +0000

From the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, 1897:

Dr. Rose’s French Arsenic Complexion Wafers
OUR SPECIAL PRICE
Per box, 40c; per dozen, $4.25. OUR SPECIAL PRICE
For larger box, 79c; per dozen, $8.00
RETAILS GENERALLY FOR MORE THAN DOUBLE THE PRICE.

PERFECTLY HARMLESS when used in accordance with our directions, it possesses the “wizard’s touch” in producing, preserving and enhancing beauty of form and person in male and female by surely developing a transparency and pellucid clearness of complexion, shapely contour of form, brilliant eyes, soft and smooth skin, where by nature the reverse exists. (more…)