Bizarre and Curious Items Sold by Sears Throughout the Years

 

Spanning from 1888 to 1993, the Sears catalog included a wide range of products, ranging from sewing machines, apparel and sporting equipment to automobiles, residences and even livestock.

Serving as an invaluable historical archive, the Sears catalog clearly captures the essence of our country's story by presenting items that were made available to the average person.

However, looking back, it becomes clear that a large portion of its pages went far beyond the scope of the ordinary.

The pages of the Sears catalog serve as a panoramic window into bygone eras, where one can see not only utilitarian items, but also items that evoke fascination and curiosity.

Among its pages, one may find the unlikely opportunity to own a part of the automotive revolution – the automobile that ushered in a new era of personal mobility.

Yet, the surprises didn't stop there; Potential homeowners could boast of more than just a residence, as the catalog introduced the daring concept of mail-order homes.

Additionally, the bolder catalog of the Sears catalog extended its reach to the agricultural sector, where livestock, a symbol of sustenance and rural livelihood, was made available for purchase.

In this article, we've collected some of the most memorable items from the Sears catalog, a testament to the spirit of innovation and accessibility that Sears brought to generations past.

1. Brown's Vegetable Remedy for the Weakness of Women (1898)

Patent medicines were common until the early 20th century. These dubious elixirs claimed that they would cure every ail you, when in reality most of them did nothing.

Some people may have "worked" because of harmful substances like opium and arsenic. The Spring 1898 catalog shown here offers a sampling of treatments that might make you tremble – either with fear or with laughter.

Brown's Vegetable Cure for Female Weakness claims to relieve women of symptoms ranging from common menstrual cramps and back pain to bizarre symptoms such as "fear of some impending evil" and "sparks before the eyes."

Curtis's Consumption Cure guaranteed that he could eliminate tuberculosis, a promise he almost certainly could not fulfill.

2.Heidelberg Electric Belt (1902)

Botanical pills and mysterious compounds weren't the only strange remedies becoming popular at the turn of the century. Electricity was also often advertised as fixing everything.

This page from a Fall 1902 catalog advertises the Heidelberg Electric Belt, which sent electrical currents through the groin area of men to cure a "weak or deranged nervous system" and double "sexual force and potency."

3. Ladies' Plush Hat (1900)

Historians and consumers use the Sears catalog to find out what the average person would wear during an era.

The Fall 1900 catalog presents a beautiful picture of early 20th century women strolling through the city wearing stately hats adorned with bearskin fur and pearls.

4. Maternity Dress (1911)

In addition to impossibly small-waisted maternity dresses, the Fall 1911 catalog also offered other maternity supplies because "many people were reluctant to consult a physician until the birth approached."

Rubber sheets, a breast binder, olive oil, and antiseptic soap are some of the things included, along with a reminder that they are not a substitute for a doctor.

5. The Sears Motor Buggy (1909)

However, this practical list was not all clothes and quack medicines. For a long time, you could buy cars through the mail from Sears.

In this advertisement from fall 1909, the Sears Motor Buggy boasts a speed of up to 25 mph and operation so simple that even a child could do it. The price was $395, or just over $14,000 in today's dollars.

6. The Sears Home Kits (1932)

By the early 1940s, you could even buy a mail-order house from Sears. The do-it-yourself kit came with everything needed to build the Sears home, including instructions.

Many of these houses are still standing today. This advertisement from the fall of 1932 shows some models available for about $1,700, which would be about $35,000 today.