Old catalogs and new discoveries

I had a late breakfast with my dad today. Around 6:00pm. We'd each had lunch, but we'd planned on breakfast, and somehow with internet marketing stuff flying around, time got away from me. But I did find out something interesting I'd never known.

People are good at keeping secrets. Not the ones you'd like them to keep, granted, but they certainly do withhold information. For example:

My dad, apparently, was a one time partner in a direct marketing firm. Granted, it was in college, and they worked out of the other guy's basement. But there they were, reprinting antique catalogs from the early 1900s, and running space ads in magazines. They sold for $5 or $10. First, who would have thought there was an interest in decades old catalogs? And they were expensive (we're talking about the late 60s).

On a side note, there was once a little old lady from California (Pasedena?). She ordered a catalog. Then she ordered the Pretty Princess Tricycle.

Sent her $1.25 by check through the mail across the country to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Must have been a great ad.

There are two lessons here. One, never underestimate the power of strong catalog copy. Two, I had no idea my dad had this in his background. And I think if I had to, that could become a hook for a sales letter.