Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 2-2

2 Chicago Tribune Business Section 2 Sunday, November 26, 2017 T3 What's on your wish list? Comparing then-and-now prices for Christmas gifts featured in Sears holiday catalogs since 1933 lists of every family member. Generations of children flipped through the catalog's pages numbering as few as 87 in 1933 and more than 800 in 1992 and circled items they hoped Santa Claus would deliver to them. Adults were attracted to items including new technologies, the latest fashions and even practical items sometimes promoted by a famous actor, musician or athlete to help them around the house. After a six-year absence, Sears reintroduced its Wish Book this year online at Sears.com and mailed a 120-page catalog to some shoppers. Like the 1933 edition, the 2017 Wish Book includes toys, holiday decorations, housewares, tools, clothing, jewelry and appliances.

Feeling nostalgic, we went to eBay in search of old Sears Christmas catalogs to buy. Quickly, we discovered many of them are out of our price range selling for up to almost $200. Thankfully, Sears allowed us to visit its Hoffman Estates campus and take a peek at 20 Christmas catalogs in its archives to gather this data. Below are our findings. By Kori Rumore, Jose M.

Osorio and Chad Yoder Chicago Tribune It's been 84 years since Sears launched its popular Christmas Book (which became known as the Wish Book beginning in 1968), full of items designed to make the holiday wish NUMBER OF PAGES soo I A IN SEARS WISH BOOK 83()V For selected years 670 475 608 590 209 01 8 120 "Sit right down today and fill out your Christmas gift list! This is the year for a planned Christmas. This is the year above all to ORDER EARLY AND MAIL EARLY. And Sears is the place to do it with 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' and a minimum of trouble. 194S Sears Christmas Book i 1 1 1 1938 1942 1945 1949 I 1953 I 1 1979 1982 1933 1968 1992 2017 Barbie Coffeemakers Craftsman tools Exercise equipment IfiHHlffLVS Exercise ilLVvjVuMilS BlMal rornmess afHW'M LLLr TiBnB nBtyT Flavorf resh drip coffeemaker Deluxe Wheel Cycle or Exerciser 61-piecetool set Price in 1949 Barbie, 11.5 inches tall Price in 1961 $1.97 In 2017 dollars $16.21 In 2017 dollars $47.59 In 2017 dollars $475.86 Price in 1979 $14.79 In 2017 dollars Up to $965.36 Price in 1979 Up to $299.99 $45.50 "Every item sure to delight the man who loves fine tools." "Brews up to 10, five-ounce cups of coffee within 10 minutes." "She 's beautiful! So lifelike she almost breathes." Price is for doll only.) "Speedometerodometer shows how fast and far you 'travel' on cycle." A. 2004 Holiday Barbie.

A wonderful tradition continues win ttie newest Special Edition Holiday BarbieJ commemorating the year 2004, This breathtaking edition features Barbie' dressed in a rich green vefyet gown embellished win sparkles. Includes stand, .7 lbs. Ages 6 and up. 39.98 each 5211627 Caucasian 5211628 Ethnic Holiday Barbie Price in 2004 $39.98 73-piece socket set Price in 1968 $44 In 2017 dollars $51.85 In 2017 dollars $305.92 NordicTrack Elite 10.9 elliptical In 2017 dollars $1,599.99 "Navigate your fitness with a 7-inch, web-enabled touchscreen." Keurig Plus Series K55 brewer In 2017 dollars $139.99 "Revolutionary technology reads the lid of each pod to brew the perfect beverage every time." "This breakthtaking edition features Barbie dressed in a rich, green velvet gown." "Top industrial quality 'Super-Tuff 'alloy steel. No tugging, pulling to get socket off wrench." Watches Kids' play clothes 450-piece mechanic's tool set In 2017 dollars $399.99 "You'll have what you need for the job." Holiday Barbie In 2017 dollars $42.99 "This stunning lady is ready to celebrate the holidays with style and class.

Snappy uniforms for young Americans Mickey Mouse watch with leather band In 2017 dollars $42.82 Price in 1933 $2.29 In 2017 dollars Up to $46.59 Price in 1942 Up to $3.19 Army officer, Northwest mountie or flying cadet outfits with multiple pieces. "Trust your smiling Mickey Mouse for correct time. He's on an Ingersoll, that's why." Teddy bears Game systems Cotton plush or mohair teddy bears Roy Rogers and Dale Evans outfits 'Mork Mindy' watch with vinyl strap Donkey Kong Price in 1982 $59.99 In 2017 dollars Up to $50.30 Price in 1933 Up to $2.69 In 2017 dollars $151.71 In 2017 dollars $54.54 Price in 1979 $16.95 In 2017 dollars Up to $62.85 Price in 1953 Up to $6.85 "They have well-shaped movable arms, legs and head. Wistful looking glass eyes and ribbon bows." "An ape has stolen the carpenter's girlfriend and taken her to the top of a steel fortress." Eleven-piece sets in either cotton or suede. Both feature imagery of the famous duo'shorses.

"The popular TV character Mork pictured on fully-numbered dial." w1MirW- f. Celebrate An Important NEW Year Millennium Double Book includes a 64-page book full of ideas tcl maKe me year AflJU a truly memorable i mere a pre-pnnted scrap-book Countdown 2000 bear Zubaz pants with NBA logos GameBoy Advance SP Price in 2004 $99.99 In 2017 dollars $129.69 In 2017 dollars $43.47 In 2017 dollars $20.52 Price in 1992 $24.99 Price in 1999 $13.99 Spiderman watch with plastic strap In 2017 dollars $9.99 "Digital display with flashing spinner." "Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery included, for up to 10 hours of continuous play." "The hottest style going. Super comfortable polyester and cotton interlock knit." "Features a countdown clock in his to the start of the new millennium." i ihlichoH anrl i icorl tjontomhor 7fl17 Hata frnm tho Ri iroai i nf I ahnr tatictif-c' nnci imor Dri.