There is an a vintage item on my want list that has been there for some time and it’s a vintage copy of a Canadian Tire Catalogue. Canadian Tire is a Canadian institution that has been around since 1922. It’s hardware store, meets car parts store, meets a home and garden store and I LOVE IT! Why? I have no clue, but I have been a loyal shopper for years and years and will continue as long as the store remains open.
As mentioned above they used to put out a catalogue of all their goods and services and while the more recent copies (up to 2008 when they discontinued them) were not too exciting, the vintage copies from 1920s to the late 1960’s are colourful and fun and NOT what you are going to expect.
The Vintage Covers of the Canadian Tire Catalogue
The History of the Catalogue:
In 1926, Canadian Tire introduced their first catalogue / road map which featured a road map of Ontario and area on one side and advertised items for sale on the reverse.
The catalogue business continued to grow and the 1930’s saw Canadian Tire introduce it’s first “Spring and Summer”, “Fall and Winter” and “Radio” catalogues. Many other specialty versions of catalogues were issued over the years and by 1968 over 2.5 million copies were mailed to customers increasing to over 6 million copies by 2007. In 2008, Canadian Tire announced the end of an era, discontinuing their catalogue mailings after more than 80 years, however, 2011 did see the return of an automotive catalogue (Source).
Now without further adieu here are some fantastic examples of vintage covers up to the year 1969:
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1935 Catalogue Collage. To see inside the full catalogue, visit this link HERE.
1939 Radio Catalogue. Look at that Font?! Totally nerding out on the graphic design right now.
1939 Canadian Tire Spring & Summer Catalog
Source: eBay
The Canadian Tire Catalogue Mascot and the “Cover Theme”:
A white haired old gentleman with a moustache made his debut on the cover of the 1941 “Spring and Summer” catalogue. Although he was never given a name, he was later featured with a young woman and his two sons for almost 30 years until the “Spring and Summer” catalogue of 1969 where they all had their last appearance as head shots only. Subsequent years featured products on the covers.
Note that most of the covers after 1941 also had a theme that was stated typically near the bottom.
Wartime Catalogues: WWII saw some changes to the catalogues including the cover theme and there was no “Spring and Summer” catalogue issued in 1944. Canadian Tire came back with a 100 page catalogue in 1948-49 with a page 3 advertisment stating “Your first full-size C.T.C. catalog in more than five years” (Source).
Fall and Winter, 1941-42. “Need a hand dad?”
Spring/Summer, 1942. It seems that on this cover, one son is in the service and the other is currently not. Do you agree?
1943. Sorry for the blurry image of this next photo but I could not find an alternative. Have both of our Mascots sons enlisted now?
Fall & Winter Supplement, 1947-1948. I love the look inside one of the stores. So modern!
Still Going Strong. Spring and Summer, 1953.
Quick Pick-Ups with Mor-Power Batteries. Fall and Winter, 1953-1954.
Fall Savings. Fall and Winter, 1955-56 (love the saddle shoes!).
Surprising Values. Spring and Summer 1958.
It’s A Pleasure To Serve. Spring and Summer, 1959.
Good Value – And No “Misteak“. Spring and Summer 1961.
Tickling Values. Fall and Winter Catalogue, 1960-1961.
Pleasurable Leisure. Spring and Summer 1963.
A Family Affair. Spring and Summer 1966.
Question Time: Did you have a favourite Cover from this collection? Do any of my readers who their own vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want your own piece of Canadian History? Some of the items on eBay, Etsy and the CTC Collector were for sale at the time of this blog post, so you might be able to snag your own catalogue.
Further Reading: Vintage Magazines & Catalogs 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Liz
Those are fabulous. Do you know anything about the illustrator? It looks like they might of changed artists in the mid-fifties? The art seemed to change a little? Thanks for sharing, they’re swell!
I could not find anything about the illustrator, but maybe thru this post someone might come forward. Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
The artist who penned most of those covers was a friend of my parents Mr. Ron White. He lived in the Kleinburg area and I actually have two of his original oil paintings of landscapes. A very talented man and as I remember a nice family.
Oh WOW! That is incredible. Thanks so much for sharing that bit of history on the artist and your family connection. Love hearing stories like this.
Liz
Oh, aren’t these wonderful? I clicked on the link for the first one and those first few pages are just beautiful, so classic of the era. I kept trying to figure out the relationship between the old man and the younger woman. Do think she was his trophy wife? xx
I’m so glad you enjoyed them Cate 🙂 As for the relationship between the man and woman, possibly as she is always there. I could not find any info on teh actual story though. Maybe someone will come forward and fill in the blanks 🙂
Hello Liz!
I just wanted to let you know I nominated your blog for a blogging award!
https://theprettyandthekitsch.wordpress.com/2018/05/05/the-mystery-blogger-award/
I hope you’re having a wonderful vacation!
<3
Emily
Ahhh thanks Emily that was so nice of you 🙂 trip is going great so far!
I really love these illustrations.
I found one online with the artist’s name on the back(the flying saucer-type toboggan).
He’s a Fred Scott-Wood and he also illustrated some short stories in a few Star Weekly magazines. That’s all I can find out.
Hopefully spreading his name around will bring out more information on him, he seems to have a wonderful sense of humour.
~jim b.
Oh thanks so much Jim! I’m gojng to add this to the post when I’m back from vacation. It’s very important to share the artists info, they go unnoticed so many times.
Hi there, Fred Scott-wood was my grandfather and every once in a while I take a look to see if I can find anyone posting his illustrations. This thread is from ages and ages ago, and I don’t see the “the flying saucer-type toboggan” cover you are talking about. Can you help me to find that cover- I’d love to see some of his work, most has been lost.
Thank you!
-tania
Hi There,
I would like to apologize in advance as I’m not sure what your asking about. I don’t see where I mention anything about a flying saucer tobaggan’ in my post. I would like to help but I’m a bit confused on the request. Feel free to email be at ‘vintageinnblog@gmail.com’
Thank you!
Liz
Rudy Suzana did those latest covers
Yes. Rudy was very talented! Also, a very good friend of the family!
Ken, are you by any chance his son?
Yes. Rudy was very talented! Also, a good friend of the family.
Ken, are you his son?
Looking to sell c t c spring and summer 1959 1960
Hello Dan…what is the condition of the catalogue?
Ken, if you are Rudy’s son, I would love to hear from you.
Sandra Kurry Rowe
Email sandra.rowe@me.com