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.

Canadian Tire original mascot — Canadian Tire’s original mascots: a dollar coin and a tire on the run. Source: Auto Focus

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.

1926 Canadian Tire Early Catalogue — Source: Auto Focus

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.

Canadian Tire 1935 Catalogue Collage Vintage — Source: Flickr

1939 Radio Catalogue. Look at that Font?! Totally nerding out on the graphic design right now.

1939 Canadian Tire Radio Catalogue — Source: Pinterest

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.

1941 spring and summer canadian tire magazine vintage — Source: O Canada Blog

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?”

Vintage Canadian Tire Catalog 1941-2 Fall & Winter — Source: Etsy

Spring/Summer, 1942. It seems that on this cover, one son is in the service and the other is currently not. Do you agree?

1942 Spring Summer Canadian Tire Catalogue — Source: Pinterest

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?

1943 Canadian Tire Corporation Catalog WW2 wartime vintage — Source: Etsy

Fall & Winter Supplement, 1947-1948. I love the look inside one of the stores. So modern!

1947 Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue Mid Century — Source: Etsy

Still Going Strong. Spring and Summer, 1953.

1953 Canadian Tire Magazine Vintage — Source: Pinterest

Quick Pick-Ups with Mor-Power Batteries. Fall and Winter, 1953-1954.

Fall Winter 1953 1954 Canadian Tire Magazine Vintage — Source: CTC Collector

Fall Savings. Fall and Winter, 1955-56 (love the saddle shoes!).

1955-1956 Fall and Winter Canadian Tire Catalogue — Source: CTC Collector

Surprising Values. Spring and Summer 1958.

Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue, Spring and Summer 1958 — Source: Pinterest

It’s A Pleasure To Serve. Spring and Summer, 1959.

1959 Canadian Tire Catalogue Vintage — Source: eBay

Good Value – And No “Misteak“. Spring and Summer 1961.

1960s Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue Cover — Source: Pinterest

Tickling Values. Fall and Winter Catalogue, 1960-1961.

1960s Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue — Source: CDR

Pleasurable Leisure. Spring and Summer 1963.

Spring and summer 1963 Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue — Source: CTC Collector

A Family Affair. Spring and Summer 1966.

Vintage Canadian Tire Catalogue, Spring and Summer 1966 — Source: Pinterest

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

Dear Vintage Inn Fans, please meet fellow Canadian and vintage lover, Starlotte Satine of ‘Starlotte Satine Vintage‘ located in Sudbury, Ontario.

Starlotte Satine Vintage is the only vintage pop up shop here in Sudbury, ON that is privately owned. Specializing in bringing unique shopping experiences/ events that take you back in time all while giving you a chance to find amazing treasures for reasonable prices!

With a strong love for vintage clothing and fashion within the arts Starlotte Satine and her team of vintage enthusiasts decided it was time to bring a different era of shopping experiences to Sudbury’s core. Since then, Starlotte Satine Vintage has continued to put on pop up shop events that include all different styles of vintage clothing with a variety of sizes and eras that includes a little bit of something for everyone!

Each pop up event is a different experience held in different local businesses that sets the mood from past times and has also gives shoppers a chance to bring out a unique side to their own personal style while giving life to otherwise unused treasures. The goal is to eventually have a Physical location for normal shopping hours. However, until then ask us about personal styling, private viewings, consignment, and costume rentals as well! Hope to See you at our next big pop up sale/ event! Reuse, Shop Local, Say No to fast fashion, Be you!

Image via Starlotte Satine Vintage

I was recently introduced to Starlotte thru a mutual friend because she was looking for vintage guys and gals for a series she was doing called ‘Canadian Vintage Inspiration‘. I was instantly intrigued by this idea and wanted to know more.

About the Series:

Step inside the minds of Canadian Vintage life stylists in the modern world and find out what their passions, tips, and lives are like through my #canadianvintageinspiration hash tag! Once a week for #followfriday and #men’svintagemonday I’ll be posting Canadian vintage enthusiasts who are shaping the Canadian vintage scene and keeping it alive.

The Canadian vintage scene is much smaller than the rest of the world so I want to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing people who make Canadian vintage so great by showcasing incredible vintage fashions across Canada. I hope this project inspires others who are looking for fashion inspiration and to showcase homegrown vintage lovers. I hope to also give people an outlet to take bold risks with fashion and step outside their comfort zone.

Starlotte’s idea for this series is very close to my heart because it has always been something I have wanted to do on my own blog, but I just have never been able to find the time. That changes today! Friends I introduce you to my new guest blog post series and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have so far.

THE CANADIAN VINTAGE INSPIRATION by Starlotte Satine Vintage:

First up, Little Miss Cheri – An Authentic Cheescake Pinup

Canadian Vintage Inspiration blog post — Photo Credit: kentleafs

Q) What advice would you give to someone who wants to dress retro but dosen’t know how to get started?

A) You might think you don’t have the confidence to put on a vintage/retro look and go out into the world of onlookers but it’s surprising how much just having that outfit on will GIVE you confidence!

I have never once been met with negativity while dressed as a 50’s housewife,you get curiosity from some and compliments from others.

Start out with small pieces if you want like a vintage hat or a vintage circle skirt paired with a modern top. Find your muses in the modern time vintage lovers.

A lot of times they have blogs and YouTube channels and how-to videos that will give you great tips and help you along the way.

Q) What’s your go to vintage styled outfit when your running late?

A) High waisted denim,a vintage button up blouse tucked in . Paired with a red lip, sparkly earrings and a retro ponytail/Victory roll. Switch it up by pairing it with a cute retro circle skirt to fancy it up a bit!

Q) What do you wish to see more of in the Canadian vintage scene, especially in Ontario?

A) Basically a lot more of what Starlotte Satine Vintage and many others are already doing. There needs to be more reasons for vintage and retro lovers to get together and more places to find old pieces to love. There’s definitely a special feeling seeing pieces in front of you and trying them on,just like it used to be before websites and fast fashion.

Thank you, Little Miss Cheri!

Next up, Andrew Desabrais-Theatre Actor and Vintage Clothing Aficionado

Q) What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?

A) Johnny cash has always been an immense source of inspiration when it comes to my fashion sense. Always well dressed but often in a very understated way.

Q) What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?

A) Wear the best that you can afford -Todd Wilkinson

Q) What is the main thing you look for when shopping for that one special piece of vintage to add to your collection?

A) Quality of material is always the first thing I look for when vintage shopping. It’s amazing how often you can stumble upon old designer pieces if you know the feel of good quality material.

Q) What inspired you to start dressing in a vintage style?

A) My grandfather was always an incredibly snappy dresser. Also wore a suit and fedora when he went out and about always. He also taught me how to shoot pool.

Thank you Andrew!

That is it for today but if you would like to read ahead and see the other Canadian’s featured thus far (there are 5 more left), please visit Starlotte Satine Vintage’s Facebook Page or Instagram. And stay tuned for a future interview with ME, the Vintage Inn!

In a vintage online buying mood? Then you have to check out the store’s Etsy Page HERE.

I hope you enjoyed the first of many in this series (thank you to Starlotte for putting this together) and if you know of anyone that should be featured please reach out in the comments below or via the social media links above.

Thank you!

Liz

Tag: vintage Canada