Wired Cola

Courtesy the relentless Carl Fogel, I have discovered this lovely catalog for the American Tire Company of Toronto [3 MB pdf].

I like the typography, the copy, and I want to buy the entire contents.

It's the 1899 Catalog.

The name tells the tale of their prime product, but they sell a lot of sundries. Lovely little toe clips. Pretty-looking handlebars. A still-useful top-tube bumper for stopping your handlebars from scratching the frame.

And the bike bells! The bike bells! Every one a tiny gem of detailing.

Actual copy on various pages: "Every repairman needs a cheap tire. We have a cheap double tube." (a double tube is what we would call a tubular) "Handsome Handlebars" "We are very glad to show you a passable novelty or two." "The hub we show on this page is called the 'Beats All' because it beats all." "This is another good Canadian hub." "Twenty cents worth of 'jimmymichaelness'." Referring to rims: "Look at their . . . . . shape." "Can't get anything newer."

This catalog charms me from cover to cover.