Trade Catalogs > Trade Catalogs
Avery Classics has a collection of over 15,000 catalogs from the American building trades. Also known as manufacturer's catalogs or commercial catalogs, these trade catalogs were produced by companies to promote their products and services. Today the catalogs serve as primary resources for the study of building materials, decorative elements, and industry trends during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Although most of the collection concentrates on American companies, a small number of international companies are represented because their goods were also sold in the United States.
Trade catalogs were usually published as books, pamphlets, or brochures, but it is not uncommon to find bound or packaged samples within the collection. Unique objects such as a puzzle set advertising Sherwin Williams Paints (Avery Classics AT6050 SH58 1887 F) occasionally turn up as well.
The trade catalogs are searchable in CLIO, the online catalog of Columbia Libraries, and available for consultation by appointment.
Cover of a 19th Century trade catalog for ornamental galvanized goods from Dunn & Witt.
Dunn & Witt., Specimen book of Dunn & Witt : manufacturers of ornamental galvanized iron cornices, louvers, dormer-windows, finials, balustrading, window caps, vanes, etc., : also, tin, iron, and slate roofers (1870).
Avery Classics
AT4700 D92 1870
Page spread with illustrated examples of various vanes featuring horses (left), a horseback rider and a cow (right).
Dunn & Witt., Specimen book of Dunn & Witt : manufacturers of ornamental galvanized iron cornices, louvers, dormer-windows, finials, balustrading, window caps, vanes, etc., : also, tin, iron, and slate roofers (1870).
Avery Classics
AT4700 D92 1870
Cover of a 19th Century trade catalog for ecclesiastical metalwork from Hart, Son, Peard & Co.
Hart, Son, Peard & Co., Examples of metal work for ecclesiastical and domestic use (1870).
Avery Classics
AT3610 H252 1870
Full page spread featuring illustrated examples of metal window, door and gate panels (left), and hingfronts (right) along with dimensions.
Hart, Son, Peard & Co., Examples of metal work for ecclesiastical and domestic use (1870).
Avery Classics
AT3610 H252 1870
Bound sample book of architectural finishes and stains from Standard Varnish Works.
Standard Varnish Works, Standard Kleartone oil stain, acid stain and paste wood filler samples (1924).
Avery Classics
AT7425 St24 1924
Spread of six wood stain samples.
Standard Varnish Works, Standard Kleartone oil stain, acid stain and paste wood filler samples (1924).
Avery Classics
AT7425 St24 1924
Catalog cover of Salubra wallpaper samples designed by Le Corbusier.
Le Corbusier, Salubra (1959).
Avery Classics
AA653 J3 S38
Salubra wallpaper samples designed by Le Corbusier. Page opened to 'Marbre II'.
Le Corbusier, Salubra (1959).
Avery Classics
AA653 J3 S38