Illustrated Catalogue Spring of 1888 1888

This illustrated catalogue from the Spring of 1888 comes from the Sargent Manufacturing Company. The catalogue is made of paper, using printing techniques to reproduce images and text. At the height of industrialization, these catalogues acted as a bridge between manufacturers and consumers. The printing of these catalogues was a carefully designed process of mass production to promote the image of luxury and domestic comfort. Consider the labor involved: from the writers and illustrators, to the typesetters and press operators, and the distributors. In the image we see ‘The Mark’s Improved Adjustable Folding Chair,’ and a well-to-do woman in a leisurely recline. Notice the level of detail, the careful attention to conveying ease and luxury. This scene promotes a lifestyle of leisure made possible by the products of industrial capitalism. The value of this object lies not only in its content but in the processes of production and consumption it represents. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by highlighting the artistry inherent in commercial design and the social context in which it was created.