Unearthing History Through Commerce: A Look at UD’s Trade Catalog Collection
By David Cardillo, Digital Collections and Preservation
The Trade Catalog Collection in Special Collections at the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press offers a fascinating glimpse into the commercial, technological and cultural history of the United States—from the mid-1700s to the present. These catalogs were used to advertise and sell goods, and while the full collection has not been digitized, select items have been made available online through Interlibrary Loan requests or special patron inquiries.
Some materials, such as the Conard-Pyle Company records, have been digitized separately as part of focused projects.
Modern Greenhouse Construction trade card.
Among the treasures in the Trade Catalog collection is Commercial Rose and Green Houses: Also, Conservatories, Palm Houses, Vineries, etc. This horticultural catalog features structural ironwork for greenhouses and includes intricate diagrams of parts used to construct commercial rose houses.
Diagram of components available for ordering to build a commercial rose house.
Another agrarian-themed item, the Catalogue of Grass Cutting Machinery by the Deering Harvesting Company, showcases a single product: a horse-drawn grass mower, likely used for harvesting grain or hay.
Early harvesting technology meets horsepower—literally.
This catalog is especially intriguing for mechanical engineers and history-of-technology enthusiasts. The mower was a two-horsepower machine—impressive for its time, considering that today’s single-cylinder gas engines typically generate between 3 and 7 horsepower. The design includes a multi-geared differential and a rudimentary suspension system, reflecting the ingenuity of late 19th-century engineering.
The front-cut giant mower.
Gear mechanism of the mower, described in the original catalog as needing “no words.” Perhaps the writer underestimated the reader—or overestimated the clarity!
Masks, Beards and Wigs Catalog cover.
Moving from field to stage, the Illustrated Catalogue of Papier Mâché, Linen, Wax, Wire, Gauze, Show and Curtain Masks, Noses, Wigs, Beards, etc. from the American Mask Manufacturing Company features a wide variety of theatrical masks and costume accessories. This colorful and whimsical catalog, intended for theater professionals, also serves as a charming glimpse into early costume culture.
Assortment of masks available for purchase, including animals and characters.
Wigs, beards, and other theatrical accessories.
Trade catalogs are invaluable resources that reveal the evolution of consumer culture, industrial design, advertising and manufacturing practices across American history. They also provide insight into both agrarian and industrial economic models. While the collection is currently digitized on an as-requested basis, future initiatives may allow for full-scale digitization—through grants or strategic planning.
In the meantime, the Trade Catalog Collection remains a rich resource for scholars of history, engineering, theater, art and material culture. Whether you’re researching 19th-century agricultural tools or sourcing visuals for a historical play production, there’s likely a catalog here for you.