The early beginnings
During the course of the 19th century, the growing industrial production of consumer and luxury goods culminated in the need to inform consumers by means of catchy advertising. For this reason, companies started running ads embellished with fanciful ornaments in magazines which were gaining increasing popularity. Thus, retailers were able to get an overview of the current product range by consulting product catalogues that included views of impressive manufacturing plants as well as pictures of head offices that were located in metropolitan areas.
Lothar von Faber had illustrated product catalogues printed for the retailers by putting particular emphasis on design: Never before has a pencil factory issued such a beautifully designed price list, he proudly wrote to his brother Eberhard in New York, who had moved there to manage a local branch office back in 1849.
In fact the company‘s product catalogues have excelled through their brilliant colours and perfect layout to the present day.
Browse online through one of our historical catalogues…