I have a good friend that has some old trapping supply catalogs from the 40's and 50's. He wants to sell them and I am interested. He doesn't know the value of them and either do i. I want to be fair with him on the price. I would imagine that maybe some company literature might be worth more than others? Looking for a little help.

Catalogs are difficult as they are not books, so that breaks it down to popularity (following) and quality

1) In the 40s and 50s you have a following biggies of Dailey, Butcher, Hawbaker, Rickard, Arnold (Cronk Lynch), Griggs and Lennon

2) then you had others that were breaking out like Nelson, Terry (Mast). Hugh Walker, Lewis, Eckhart. Thompson, Hoffman and Mid West Wolfers (like Leo Hoeft)

3) Then there the supply catalogs like FC Taylor Howe and Mass

4) The 40S is interesting as we were coming out of WWII, and paper war going thru a change along with soldiers/sailors returning to the trapline

5) Victor and Blake catalogs are interesting but more common than you realize.

6) Catalogs do establish some history in trap development/evolution, lure makers and pricing

7) Hawbakers first three years is very collectible with PA trappers

Alot of established collectors have filled their collection and are now starting to break up their collections, new collectors have no idea who Dailey was.....thats how disconnected the market is now.......most young people do not know how to read and think the latest you tuber is the flavor, I have seen where young trappers on the internet have tried to correct Wayne Derrick, Jim Comstock, Mark Zagger and others: they do not have a clue.

So their is no real rare material from the 40s and 50s (except niche material), catalogs will run from 3 to 10 for common and 10 to 20 for better material, Arnolds would be the most expensive. followed by Nelson, Nelson only because OG made him famous with the wolfer collectors. Terry (Mast) for the Wolfers, Dailey and Butcher is about covers.

You are better off looking for a buyer but as you can hold paper for years til you find one willing to pay. I collect early NY fox trappers and Mast/terry; dealers pay 30 to 50 cents on the dollar unless they have a buyer in mind and can hold the paper 3 to 5 years based on shows and want lists.

Henpecked

Thanks for your information it will be helpful.

Most of the war years are tuffer to get than others and usually command a higher price

I would be interested in a 1958 f c Taylor supply catalog.

Here are a few that I have;

Is there any value in any of the pictured ones above?

The Trappers Handbook by RE Burt, is an early edition I think the first edition is in red: look inside the cover,The Dailey Catalog will have value to a collector, the Harding books unless in Hardback are common. Check The date on the date on the Trappers Companion as that was always softcover, some collectors will want the Fur bearers of north Dakota. Not many collect the Alleghany catalogs. The Burt Book and Dailey are worth about 10 each, maybe more on the Dailey Catalog

Thanks henpecked. Gives me a place to start. Helping a trapping friend with his stuff he has acquired through out the years.