Sears, Roebuck Catalog of Houses, 1926: Small Houses of the Twenties - An Unabridged Reprint

by Sears Roebuck and Co.

For almost 20 years, Sears, Roebuck and Company purveyed the materials for complete prefabricated houses, providing thousands of Americans with attractive and comfortable low-cost dwellings. Many of these homes are still a common feature in cities and towns across America.
The present volume, a meticulous reproduction of a rare Sears, Roebuck catalog of 1926, provides a thorough, accurate record of the company's "Honor Bilt Modern Homes." Over 300 photographs and illustrations, with full descriptions, offer views of 86 different houses and cottages of widely varying sizes and designs. Readers may recognize familiar architectural styles in designs such as the cozy six-room "Homewood" bungalow or the elegant "Lexington," a nine-room, green-shuttered colonial. Also shown are several room interiors for each of 14 homes, along with photographs and plans for nine garages and a hunter's cabin. In addition to visual documentation, the catalog provides extensive, detailed construction information, ranging from the grade of exterior siding to the type of wood used for flooring, windows, and trim.
An invaluable primary source illustrated for anyone engaged in the study, authentication, or restoration of antique homes or furnishings, this period catalog will also be of special value to architectural and social historians, Americana enthusiasts, and general readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Architecture, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

See author Sears for product manuals (i.e. Kenmore) and cookery books.

Reviews

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful reprinted catalogue from Sears-Roebuck from the 1920s that allow you to choose your own house from a list of 85 "models" all with names like the "Glens Falls" or the "Adirondack". Sears-Roebuck houses ranged in price from $4,900 to $449 and came "pre-cut and ready to assemble" by the department store chain's team of carpenters and masons. A fascinating look at Americana and capitalism, 1920s style.

[Robert Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite is The Alhambra

Looking at these floor plans is a real step back into time, but I realized something... With rare exception, all of these homes have only one bathroom, almost always on the second floor if it is a two-story. I guess when guests were over to visit, they were expected to 'hold it in'? o_0



[image error]

[Ms. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sears used to sell anything you needed to furnish your house, from the heater in the basement to the shingles for your roof. They decided to start selling the houses themselves! People could buy kits with everything they needed, labeled and ready to assemble flat-pack style. They published special books with all their different house plan options. This is a collection of plans they sold in 1926.

Perfect for anyone who loves history, architecture, or who has to share a bathroom with their entire family--can you spot the plan with two?

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black and white print of color catalogue

Black and white rendition of a color catalogue. The was not mentioned in the product description. Color samples are meaningless in shades of gray as are the interior color schemes.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful view of life in the '20s in America! I'm sure I've seen many of these houses. Great peek into what was available and popular. Plus cabins and outhouses and views of appliances -- all available from the Sears catalog, too, of course.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love old houses and house plans. Includes fixtures like doors and lights. An out house and several vacation homes, without plumbing.

[Joe Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Old houses