A true record of an era, this unabridged facsimile of the retail giant's 1895 catalogue showcases some 25,000 items, from the necessities of life to products whose time has passed. Illustrated.

Completely unlike any encyclopedia before it, The Book of Firsts is the product of decades of archiving and research from the incredible Patrick Robertson. For many years the proprietor of a stock photo archive and collector of all forms of ephemera, Robertson boasts a library that includes ads, clippings, and archival materials going back well over 100 years. In this amazing work, Robertson indexes and describes the things he considers socially relevant, such as the first black head of a white government (it's not who you think), the first baby carriage, and the first department store. He writes about all this with an unparalleled knowledge and impossible-to-fake fluency with a staggering number of subjects. What's more, Robertson renders this massive reference with subtle but distinctive humor, and an eye for fascinating detail. Every entry in this book includes a first time in America, and many also have firsts from elsewhere in the world. With a handsome design and an oversized trim, this will be both a groundbreaking work of reference and a beautiful gift for trivia heads.

Fans of the greatest reindeer of all will have a double helping of Christmas fun with this collection, which includes the title story plus "Rudolph Shines Again." Near and dear to so many hearts, this is the story, the original story, of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, written by Robert L. May in 1939. Rudolph, loveable and generous, humble and good, embodies the spirit of Christmas, and reminds us of the magical possibilities that exist within us all. In the companion story, "Rudolph Shines Again," Rudolph loses his light and is certain he is of no use to Santa now; he decides to go far away, where no one knows how bright his nose used to be. But on his journey, something magical happens. As enchanting as the original story, Robert L. May's uplifting sequel to his classic tale Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a joyous celebration of the spirit of Christmas. Also included in the audio is a selection of holiday songs for kids to help you ring in the season: "Jingle Bells," "Up on the Housetop," "Deck the Halls," "Over the River and through the Woods," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and "O, Christmas Tree."

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.