UCSB Special Collections: Research: Trade Catalogs

Trade Catalogs

UCSB Special Collections has one of the largest number of trade catalogs in the U.S. Most are in the Lawrence B. Romaine Trade Catalog Collection, which contains more than 50,000 items, primarily 19th and early 20th century American trade and advertising literature, with large sections relating to a subjects such as agriculture, architecture, booksellers, building materials, department stores, electrical equipment, hardware, printers' supplies, scientific and industrial instruments, and seed catalogs. There are additional related records for Romaine's bookselling business, Weathercock House. Smaller numbers of trade catalogs are included in the James C. Williams and Larry Badash collections. Also, the Sound Recording Catalog Collection contains lists and other publications from the early 20th century by numerous recording companies, mainly U.S.

Badash (Lawrence) papers. (UArch FacP 33).
Die-Cut Advertising Literature Collection. (Mss 202).
Romaine (Lawrence B.) Trade Catalog Collection. (Mss 107).
Sound Recording Catalog Collection. (PA Mss 26).
Trade Card Scrapbook. (Mss 206).
Trade Catalogs - Additions. (Mss 200).
William (James C.) Trade Catalog Collection. (Mss 170).