E. I. Horsman Wholesale Catalogue Spring Goods. 1898: Manufacturer, Importer, Exporter and Jobber of Indoor & Outdoor Games, Novelties, Sports, and Toys. Sole Manufacturer of the Famous Trade "Blue Hill Box Kite" Mark. Headquarters for Croquet, Golf, Tennis, Hammocks, &c.

New York, 1898. Wraps. Very Good. Scarce, with no copies found on OCLC, nor anything else produced by this company. A diverse sporting goods catalog that includes a number of items of individual interest. First there is the kite alluded to on the front cover. Within the catalog maintains that this kite, "now Famous throughout the Country", and "KITE FLYING LAWN PARTIES", will be "THE SOCIETY FAD for the Coming Season". In the heyday of kite-flying, coinciding with the dawn of modern-day aviation, the rage, it seems, was for "scientific kite flying". Some of the games advertised in the pages are now obscure, such as "Crokinole", "Pango" and "Carroms", although the last two have more modern versions, perhaps. Tennis rackets bear names such as the "Tuxedo" Expert. Croquet and archery, while still around, were far more prevalent, and the equipment options reflect this. In any case, it is impossible to tersely describe everything presented in the 32 pages, including the covers (but not including a few insert items), of this catalog. The line illustrations are all quite appealing and help transport us back to the late Victorian era. Some light soling, with a narrow dampstain on the upper front cover and a small chip on the rear. Generally clean within.