Library supply catalog from 1899

The Smithsonian Libraries' Trade Literature Collection includes catalogs, sales brochures, and other materials 'that were once part of the merchandising of business.' What a fascinating source of design, technology, and marketing history! At the Smithsonian magazine blog, library technician Alexia MacClain goes meta in a post about one curious item in the Trade Literature Collection: The Classified Illustrated Catalog of the Library Department of Library Bureau (1899), a catalog of supplies for libraries. — Read the rest