Montgomery Ward - Part Three
Let's just keep this "Among Ourselves"!
Here in Montgomery Ward Part Three, we take a look at their 1907-1908 "house" magazine for employees, called “Among Ourselves” that featured some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
The catalogue
Here is an intriguing look at where it begins - the contents of the catalogue. The picture shows some of the catalogue illustrators at work – these women are creating the ladies’ fashion drawings, drawn from models wearing the outfits.
Here in Montgomery Ward Part Three, we take a look at their 1907-1908 "house" magazine for employees, called “Among Ourselves” that featured some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
The catalogue
Here is an intriguing look at where it begins - the contents of the catalogue. The picture shows some of the catalogue illustrators at work – these women are creating the ladies’ fashion drawings, drawn from models wearing the outfits.
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Hauling and Packing
On the right is Max Kielas", said to be "the most diminutive boy ever employed on the bench". Little Max was one of the packers who filled customer orders, starting work when he was 14 years old. Did he ever get to pack any of the Carnival Glass sold by the mail order store, one wonders … Below: horses and carts were used to transport the Mail Order catalogues for Montgomery Ward. 
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Real Customer Service! Below: Going the extra mile, for a reward - although what the reward might be was not specified. Montgomery Ward's order department was unable to work out what this customer’s order actually said. Can you figure it out? Right: letters from customers (satisfied and disgruntled) often featured in Montgomery Ward’s “house” magazine. This one "From a Hunter" is worth reading for the amazing range of goods purchased by the customer. And don’t miss the final line! 
No PayPal, but payment in gold is acceptable! Below: In the days before PayPal … check out how this Alaskan customer paid for his order! 
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Shipping Internationally? No problem!
Montgomery Ward didn’t only sell by mail order in the USA … they were clearly happy to ship their orders all around the world.
Below, left: a clip from a 1908 Hong Kong Daily Press newspaper, advertising Montgomery Ward’s mail order catalogue.
Below right: amazingly, they even sold fish to the Norwegians! (OK, it's in Norwegian, but you get the idea).
Montgomery Ward didn’t only sell by mail order in the USA … they were clearly happy to ship their orders all around the world.
Below, left: a clip from a 1908 Hong Kong Daily Press newspaper, advertising Montgomery Ward’s mail order catalogue.
Below right: amazingly, they even sold fish to the Norwegians! (OK, it's in Norwegian, but you get the idea).
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