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George Lawrence Catalog Co.
1940 Catalog
Mouseover catalog image to see inside catalog.
This 68-page George W Lawrence catalog from 1940 measures 9x6 inches. It belonged to our last saddle-maker, Pearl Payton, known as "Pearlie". He retired a year or two after I started in the business in 1957 (our centennial year), after working at the GLCo for many years. I remember him when I periodically visited our shop as a child. It wasn't very often I was allowed to do that. I guess I was a distraction then as I guess I am now. He always wore eye shades. On the first
and second pages of the catalog it shows photos of the shop and some of the workers. Pearlie is set up at a holster-makers bench (which he also did), but I remember him as a saddle-maker. He punched the hole in the top corner of the catalog so that he could hang it on a nail for easy reference. He penciled a few notations, but the great majority of the pages are free of any notations.
The catalog opens with photos of 23 different saddle styles; 2 pages of 4 chap styles; then 3 pages that include spur straps, bucking rolls, strings and latigos, cinchas and stirrups. There are 6 pages of heads and reins, halters, martingales, etc. The riding horse section is completed with 6 pages that include 1 page of pack horse gear, 1 page of spurs, 2 pages of bits and chains, and 2 pages of saddle blankets, pads, and lariats.
The next 8 pages show our line of handgun holsters, cartridge belts and cases, rifle scabbards and slings, etc. There is 1 page showing 2 fishing creels and 2 carry straps, and 2 pages that include duck straps, rider's belts, shotgun case, utility kit, dice cup and hat bands. There is a page of "jeweled" belts and one of our waist belt styles; 4 pages of dog collars, harness, and dog leads. The last section includes 4 pages of horse work harness, 2 pages of work bridles and halters; 4 pages that include traces, straps and other accessories to the work harness. Following are 2 pages that include horse collars, and horse brushes and combs. Then 4 pages of harness hardware and a page describing rivets, saddle soap and the choices of sides of leather and leather lace available. On the inside of the back cover is the index.
This is a nice, little catalog for the information and broad line of products, but in my opinion, those qualities are topped by the fact that it was Pearlie's own copy.
Sincerely,
Bill Lawrence, Geo. Lawrence's Great Grandson
Original copper printing block and catalog image of the same.
Mouseover image to see building as it is today.
Catalog No. 40 can be dated to 1940 since there is an identical saddle listed in this catalog for the same price and description as shown in the 1940 mailer.
The blue ink Lawrence address stamped on the back side of the copper printing block.