Okay, well this isn't Japanese, but I figure that Moog and anyone else checking out this thread might appreciate it. So here seemed like as good a place as any to share it. And furthermore, just discovering this this site (issuu) by accident, I find it pretty brilliant that one can browse these old catalogues and other magazines. I think I have mentioned on here a few times how much an influence such things as the Sears Wishbook had on my old childhood, so these really hit close to home (and this is the season for it, after all ). And the fact that people (not unlike our own resident archivist of amazing adverts) have spent their own time making detailed scans of these things purely out of love and to share with other like-minded individuals for free, well that is pretty damn awesome. So anyway, I came across this user who has compiled some excellent Argos catalogues from bygone days of yore. Not something I knew then, but still containing some really great stuff. A few examples: Spring 1978 Autumn/Winter 1980 Spring/Summer 1982 Autumn/Winter 1983 Autumn 1985 (these are just screencaps I had to do for re-hosting the samples, so I do recommend following the links through to the website for full-res versions if you want) Anyways, I could be here all day posting images, but I think you get the idea. So much goodness in those pages; I have tried to keep it to toys for the sake of relevancy to the board, but just seeing the electronics, sporting goods, housewares, etc., is a real treat [for me anyways]. I highly recommend checking out retromash's entire collection, but be warned, there are thousands of pages to really immerse yourself in there and you might just lose a significant part of your day before you know it.
Yeah, i think the UK equivalent for me was the 'Kays Catalogue' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kays_Catalogues A childhood rainy-day pastime was browsing the toy section and dreaming of possible Christmas presents. The Fisher-Price adventure people toy-line was my favourite. Of course, when i was a little older the Bra section became very interesting as well Kays pages looked very like the Argos catalogue pages you posted above . . . .
I used to have the round pac-man handheld below and i still have the Tron handheld. Man, did i play the shit out of those early Tomy electronic games . . . .
I have one of these packed up in a box somewhere. The box art is great too: https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2137106893026848101/2137109946942241103
^ Nice. I think the Japanese really take great pride in their design work and packaging, and in this case goes ages back. Little details and loud images and colours to give that wow factor without trying too hard. Food packaging even. Man I love their candy sweets and the packaging that comes with those.
These are online advertising banners for a TV show called 'Ultra Zone'. There are a few more, but these are the ones i could find at a decent resolution . . . http://m-78.jp/ultrazone/
