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View Full Version : Got some old Xmas catalogs (1975-1977) - game scans inside



Wavelflack
09-21-2004, 07:15 PM
I'm a nut for preserving my childhood. Since I grew up out in the country, my family never had garage sales. And because we had a fairly large farm, with many buildings, there was no shortage of storage space. As a result, my brothers and I still have practically every toy from our childhood.

I started to wonder about the toys that didn't survive, and the toys we wanted (but never received). So I put out a call for old Christmas catalogs, ones from my childhood, so that I could look through and see if I remembered any toys that had long since been destroyed and forgotten, or those that I wanted dearly but were never received (and then forgotten).

So far, one old lady has managed to come to my rescue. She promises that more are on the way, but until she "unburies" them, I have three to start with.

She brought the 1975 Sears Wish Book, the 1976 JC Penney Xmas catalog, and the 1977 Wards Xmas catalog.

Among other things, I found these pages of old systems in their prime. I thought you guys would be interested in seeing them, from a historical or archival standpoint. I don't know if DP is interested in adding them to the archives, but you're all welcome to do so.

They are pretty big files, and I'm not sure what my image host's bandwidth limitations are, so if they stop being visible, hopefully someone with a more reliable image host will repost them for me.

Anyway, here we go:

Bally Arcade page from 1977 Montgomery Wards Xmas catalog


http://www.photodump.com/direct/wavelx/Ballyresized.jpg

Telstar Arcade and another system (Wards 77)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/wavelx/Telstarplusresized.jpg

Pong! This is the start of the Atari/Sears deal. And yes, it's in the sporting goods section of the catalog (Sears, 75)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/wavelx/pongresized.jpg

Various systems, including the Telstar Combat system (which I had never heard of and looks cool)--(Wards, 77)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/wavelx/varioussystemsresized.jpg

APF TV NoFun, also from Wards
http://www.photodump.com/direct/wavelx/apfresized.jpg



If these images crap out, I can email them to someone to repost or whatever.

Enjoy!

optic_85
09-21-2004, 07:44 PM
Thanks for posting the scans! I love to see old game adverts! I want that Telstar Arcade!!!

AFGiant
09-21-2004, 08:50 PM
Wow. Cool! Way before my time though...wayyy before

max 330 mega
09-21-2004, 09:30 PM
woah those are really neat, those prices vary a ton also,

om3ga
09-21-2004, 10:24 PM
MULLETFEST !

Raedon
09-21-2004, 10:28 PM
dang.. $269 back then was like Neo-Geo price.

qbertandernie
09-22-2004, 12:01 AM
not to be what my grandmother would call a "contrary larry", but those cuts are not mullets...bad 70s hair sure, but mullet? nah...

atomicthumbs
09-22-2004, 12:22 AM
THOSE are GREAT!!! I've have an APF Electronic TV Fun Game, so It's kinda cool to see an ad for it!

I HAVE TO HAVE A TELSTAR COMBAT!!!

Captain Wrong
09-22-2004, 08:22 AM
This is so cool! I love old catalogs!

We had a Telstar Arcade back in the day. It was actually pretty fun, for the time.

Hey, if you ever feel like scanning some stereo equipment pages, PM me. I love seeing that stuff.

Keir
09-22-2004, 08:54 AM
Thanks for the scans!

On the Telstar Galaxy though, how in the hell can they call that Basketball?!?!

Cav
09-22-2004, 09:04 AM
"This machine will never become obsolete..." LOL

"What cost $269.00 in 1977 would cost $830.84 in 2003."

(source: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/)



-Cav

perry rhodan
09-22-2004, 10:10 AM
These adds WoW thats very cool!

I have an APV TV fun and the Coleco Telstar Arcade complete in box.
Now I'm looking for the Telstar Arcade... :-P

The Manimal
10-05-2004, 12:28 AM
Playboy used to have good gaming ads