Saalfield Publishing Company catalogs

Finding Aid

Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, September 4, 2001; Updated September 2022

Inclusive Dates: 1899-1976
Extent: 1 cubic foot (3 document cases)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Historical Note: The Saalfield Company published children's books and other products from 1899 to 1977 and was, at one time, one of the largest publishers of children's materials in the world.

Scope and Content: This collection contains Saalfield Publishing Company catalogs dating from 1899 through 1976, but holdings are incomplete. Also included are several undated catalogs and miscellaneous sales flyers and brochures. Many of these catalogs are incomplete, having partially or wholly excised pages as received from the company at the time of acquisition.

Acquistion Information: A partial library and archival collection of the Saalfield Publishing Company of Akron, Ohio, were purchased by Kent State University in April, 1977.

Arrangement: This collection is organized by date.

Additional Information: Please see our page of Frequently Asked Questions about the Saalfield collection for more information.

Box 1: 1899-1939
Folder -- Contents

1. Werner Company's Illustrated Book Catalogue. 1899-1900. 2 copies; one lacks covers.
   Historical Note: The Werner Company was the original name of Saalfield Publishing Co.
2. Illustrated Book Catalogue of the Saalfield Publishing Company. 1904-1905.
3. Illustrated Book Catalogue of the Saalfield Publishing Company. 1908-1909.
4. Illustrated Book Catalogue of the Saalfield Publishing Company. 1918.
5. Condensed Catalog-Order List of the Saalfield Publishing Company. 1927-1928.
6. General Catalog of The Saalfield Publishing Company. Cover title: The Saalfield Books for the Year 1929
7. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1931.
8. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1932.
9. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1933.
10. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1934.
11. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1935. 3 copies; one hardcover; one copy includes "1935 Price List" tipped in
12. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1936.
13. Publications of the Saalfield Publishing Co. 1937. 2 copies; one hardcover
14. Books to Retail at Twenty-Five Cents, 1937.
15. General Catalog. 1938
16. in Today's Spotlight by The Saalfield Publishing Co., January Listing, 1938.
17. Saalfield Books for Schools and Libraries, 1938-39
18. Chain Store Listings for Fall 1939.
19. Saalfield Books for 1939-40
20. Books to Retail at Five Cents, Fall 1939

Box 2: 1940-44
Folder -- Contents

1. in Today's Spotlight, January 1940
2. Chain Store Fall Listings, 1940
3. General Catalog, 1940-41
4. Saalfield Books and Puzzles, 1941
5. Winter and Spring Chain Store Listings, Saalfield Books and Puzzles, 1941
6. Winter and Spring Book Line, 1940-41
7. Fall and Winter Book Line, 1941
8. Paper Doll Cut-Outs...Retail 5c, Spring 1941
9. General Catalog, 1942-43
10. Chain Store Listings, Fall 1942
11. Winter and Spring Chain Store Listings, 1942
12. Paper Doll Books--Retail 5 Cents, Spring 1942
13. Paper Doll Books--Retail 5 Cents, Fall 1942
14. General Catalog, 1943
15. Chain Store Listing, Winter-Spring 1943
16. General Catalog, 1943-44

Box 3: 1951-1976, undated catalogs, and other publications
Folder -- Contents

1. Saalfield List of Rand McNally Hard-Bound Books for Boys and Girls distrubuted by Saalfield, 1951
2. Saalfield Books for Children, January 1953
3. Saalfield New Items, January 1953
4. Ding Dong School Books distributed by Saalfield, 1953
5. Saalfield List of Rand McNally Hard-Bound Books for Boys and Girls distrubuted by Saalfield, 1953
6. Saalfield Books for Children, "J", 1954
7. Saalfield Books for Children, "R", 1954
8. Saalfield Books, 1955
9. Rand McNally Books distributed by Saalfield, Winter and Spring, 1955
10. Rand McNally Books distributed by Saalfield, Fall 1956
11. Saalfield Books, Playthings, 1957
12. Saalfield Supplement to Our 1956 General Catalog, Winter and Spring, 1957
13. Rand McNally Lower-Priced Books distributed by Saalfield, Fall and Holidays, 1957
14. Saalfield Leading Assortments, 1961
15. Catalog '65, 1965
16. Saalfield Books and Playthings, 1966
17. Catalog: Children's Books and Activities, 1973
18. Saalfield Catalog, 1976
19. Catalogs, no date
20. Flyers, sales brochures