Vintage Fine Merchandise Trade Catalog – Bennett Brothers “Blue Book of Quality Merchandise” – 1966
This exceptional vintage trade catalog is the Bennett Brothers Blue Book of Quality Merchandise for 1966, issued by “The House of Bennett,” a respected American jeweler and purveyor of fine goods. Often described as one of the world’s finest buyer’s guides, this confidential annual catalog was created for the trade and was not intended for the general public.
Spanning an impressive 802 pages, the catalog is fully illustrated, with the majority of pages printed in color and select sections in black and white. It includes a complete alphabetical index, making it an unusually practical reference tool as well as a visually rich historical document.
The scope of merchandise is remarkable. Thousands of products are represented, including fine diamond jewelry, watches, silver, giftware, and luxury accessories, alongside an evocative snapshot of mid-century American consumer culture. Featured categories extend well beyond jewelry, encompassing Fifth Avenue furs, sporting goods, appliances, furniture, lighting, toys, and more—offering deep insight into design, materials, and retail trends of the era.
This catalog is an outstanding resource for estate jewelry research, period attribution, and design inspiration. It also holds strong appeal for collectors, historians, designers, and anyone drawn to the craftsmanship and aesthetics of the mid-20th century.
The binding is fully intact and sound. The catalog itself appears largely unused, with clean pages throughout. It is housed in its original shipping box, which shows expected signs of age and handling, while the book remains very well preserved.
Details
- Title: Bennett Brothers Blue Book of Quality Merchandise
- Year: 1966
- Publisher: Bennett Brothers (“The House of Bennett”)
- Format: Hardcover trade catalog
- Pages: 802
- Illustrations: Predominantly color, some black and white
- Index: Full alphabetical index
- Condition: Catalog appears unused; binding intact; original shipping box present with visible age wear
Measurements
- Height: 11 inches
- Width: 8.5 inches
- Thickness: 1.4 inches