The Catalog of Catalogs IV: The Complete Mail-Order Directory

A directory of distributors offering address information and a description of merchandise available

The current edition of this business reference staple furnishes basic directory information for approximately 12,500 U.S. and Canadian retailers that sell their products via mail-order catalogs. Companies are listed under some 650 broad product categories, from air compressors to yoga. Multiple listings occur when appropriate, e.g., Figi's in Marshfield, Wisconsin, appears twice, under "Food?Candy & Dessert Sauces" and "Food?Gift Assortments & Gourmet Specialties" (but oddly not under "Cheese"). A corporate index provides ready access to all company listings. Competing works are the Directory of Mail Order Catalogs (Grey House, 1994. 8th ed.) and the National Directory of Catalogs (Oxbridge, 1993. 4th ed.). Published annually and intended principally for the direct-marketing industry, these two sources offer more detailed information than Palder's book, but they cost a great deal more ($145 and $245, respectively). The Catalog of Catalogs, now updated every two years, is current, inexpensive, and recommended for all but the smallest business reference collections.?Ken Kister, author of "Kister's Best Encyclopedias," Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.