Bring a slice of shop-bench history to your library or studio with this set of three J.W. Elwood Supply Co. “Chieftain Brand” Taxidermists’ Supplies catalogs from Omaha, Nebraska. Printed in the 1970s, each digest-sized booklet is packed with product pages, prices, and how-to notes—an instant time capsule of the tools and materials used by working taxidermists.
Inside, you’ll find dense black-and-white pages filled with glass eyes (including “slightly concave” deer eyes), artificial skulls, papier-mâché parts, forms and mounts, needles and tools, plus fold-out spreads.
The bold cover graphics—including the Chieftain head—make them terrific display pieces for a studio wall, man cave, or retail vignette.
What’s Included
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Catalog No. 119 (green/red cover; “Chieftain Brand”)
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Catalog No. 122 (red/blue cover; “Chieftain Brand”)
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Catalog No. 141 (purple cover; “Chieftain Brand”; J.W. Elwood Supply Co., Inc.; Omaha, Neb. 68103 on cover)
Quick Specs
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Item Type: Trade Catalogs (set of 3)
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Size: 10 × 7 inches
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Material: Paper, staple-bound softcover
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Color: Multicolor covers (green/red, blue/red, purple/black)
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Origin or Maker: J.W. Elwood Supply Co., Omaha, Nebraska
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Year or Era: 1970s
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GENRE: Sporting & Outdoors Trade Ephemera, Taxidermy Supply Catalogs
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Language / Pages: English, approx. 28 pages each
Edition & Features
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Edition/Printing: Trade catalogs, various issues (No. 119, 122, 141)
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Dust Jacket: Not applicable
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Black-and-white product illustrations, diagrams, fold-out pages
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Extras: Historical pricing tables, order forms, supply lists
Condition Grade: Good overall for vintage trade ephemera.
Wear consistent with shop use: cover scuffs and creases, edge wear, small tears, light staining/handling grime; occasional rust marks at staples; a pencil/ink mark on the purple cover; toning to paper. Text and graphics remain fully legible.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Please see all photos—sold as pictured.
About the Maker
Founded in Omaha, J.W. Elwood Supply Co. was one of the nation’s major distributors of taxidermy materials through the 20th century, serving sportsmen, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
Add a working-shop vibe to your shelf with authentic trade ephemera from the Chieftain Brand era.
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Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store flat, away from direct light, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid dampness and temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
