1945 Catalog "The Mark of Bo"

[BoBlade]

On another forum in another lifetime I started a thread about the three catalogs published in 1945. The first had a blue cover with a photo of a 3-6. The second had a beige cover with a photo of a 4-7. The third was identical to the second except it had a woodgrained cover (One of these recently came up on e-bay). The difference in content was that the first offered only a seven inch version of the model 4 and it offered both a 4 inch and a four and a half inch version of the model 7. The 2nd and third catalogs added a 5 inch version of the model 4 and dropped the 4 inch offering of the model 7. Bo still had inventory of the first catalog when he decided to offer a five inch version of the Model 4, yet he still wanted customers to know that this blade length was available when he sent out the remaining first edition catalogs. Solution: Handwrite in the 5 inch version! My copy has this addition (see photo, but excuse it being washed out because of the flash). Now another catalog has shown up on e-bay with this same addition:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Randall-cat...QQcmdZViewItem

Compare the handwriting in these two catalogs to that in Bo's letters to collector John Edwards in the back of Hunt's second book and you will see what I mean. Hope this is of interest to some of you.

Best,

Ron

[jclarksnakes]

...This is really pretty interesting. You have to wonder how many catalogs from the 40s and early 50s are still out there? Perhaps someone cleaning out "grandpas" old stuff threw one in the trash just today? And that one on Ebay is probably going to go over $500. Who would have ever thought we could get so interested in old catalogs?
Jeff

[Moosehead]

Hi Jeff and Ron!

Part of the fascination with RMK, apart from the excellent quality of the knives themselves is their history.

Beginning with Bo Randall's first attempts at knife-making, the contribution of his knives to the WWII effort, right up to today's remarkable family run business, the collector always wishes to enhance his or her collection with documents and memorabilia of the world of Randall.

Let's face it, many interesting items of historical significance have been tossed in the garbage with nary a second thought. Thanks goodness for the "pack rats" of this world!

Cheers!

Moosehead

[grumpa]

The 1946 and 1947 catalogs recently listed on E-Bay by a San Antonio Seller spent the majority of their lives in a file folder. The original owner had visited Orlando in 1946-1947 and apparently had visited the shop. It is unknown if that original owner ever bought a Randall, but he sure kept the catalogs.


Grumpa

[cracker]

Does anyone know what would constitute a complete collection of cataloges?

I know the "numbered" cataloges started with #12 ( dated Dec. 15 1959 ) and skipped 13 ( supersticious maybe? ) and runs through I believe #33.

But how many other are out there?

Cracker:confused:

[BoBlade]

Cracker,

I think "Grumpa" has a pretty good handle on this if he wouldn't mind (Thanks, Grumpa)

Best,

Ron

[Raindog]

Originally Posted by cracker

I know the "numbered" cataloges started with #12 ( dated Dec. 15 1959 ) and skipped 13 ( supersticious maybe? ) and runs through I believe #33.

#34 has been out for about 3-4 months now.

[grumpa]

I'll do my best Ron.

My guide is "The Randall Knife information Collection" by InterSquare.

There were two early catalogs, 1939 and 1942.

These were followed by two letter style catalogs, number 3 and 4. The first letter, catalog 3, offered the first fighting knife-destine to become the Model 1. The second letter, catalog 4, offered the fighting knife, the fighting Stiletto, and the Hunter.

Catalogs 5,6 and 7 covered the years 1945 to 1947. They offered what today we know as models 1 to 7.

Catalogs 8, 9 and 10 were published in roughly 1948, 1952 and 1953 respectively. They were all 4 inch by 9 inch map-fold style catalog.

Catalog 11, 1954-1959, was the first catalog in the style we see today; multi-page, 4 inch by 9 inch. This catalog, like those before it, is distinctive in that it carrys no issue number.

All subsequent catalog follow the same general style as catalog 11, except that they all have issue numbers. Bo Randall would occasionally vary the color of the cover.

There is not catalog 13.

For the first time, with the printing of the catalog 23 in 1974, Bo Randall removed prices from the catalog and offered a separate the price list. This gave him flexibility to change prices without changing the catalog itself.

Today, Randall distributes catalog 34.

Hope this helps. I welcome corrections and updates from those of you who have been Randall collectors longer than me.


Grumpa

[BoBlade]

Super job, Grumpa! Much obliged

[Moosehead]

Hi Grumpa!

What Ron said. Thanks very much!

Cheers!

David

[cracker]

Ditto Grumpa........thank you!!!!

Cracker

[Melvin-Purvis]

I have a question for the 'catalog folk' though...

I've heard that catalogs 5 thru 7 were all introduced in 1945, which doesn't make much sense, though I've heard it said several times in the past...and that the catalog covers were light blue, beige, and wood-grained respectfully, in order of issue...

Anyone have any thoughts on this order sequence?

The fourth '45 catalog that D. Beaucant spoke of, has anyone seen one? I'm thinking he probably saw a faded version of the 5th or 6th catalog and assumed that it was another version...

Other'n making mention that the 28th catalog was the first of the 'new' catalogs, I think grumpa nailed it...nicely done!

Shel

[grumpa]

Thanks for the kind words folks.

Shel, thoughts are cheaper than a good Randall knife. Here are a few more.

From what I've seen and read, catalog 5 has a blue cover, catalog 6 a beige cover and catalog 7 a woodgrain cover. I don't know if I'm ready to subscribe to the theory all were done in 1945. Catalog 7 has a paragraph 8 and a special notice printed in red ink on the Description and Prices page. Catalog 6 has no paragraph 8 and the notice is printed in black ink. Catalog 5 has no paragraph 8 and no notice. These are not significant variations, but likely different printings. The question is when were they printed?

I have also seen a buff colored, 4 inch by 7 inch, tri-fold "catalog' featuring only a knife layout, a Description and Prices list, an order form, and a stapled notice featuring the Bird and Trout Knife. This could be that "4 th catalog". Purely speculation on my part.


Grumpa

[cracker]

Thanks Grumpa!

I have 11 thru 33 and often wondered what it would take to make a "complete" set of catalogs. Do you agree that the old catalog being offered on ebay (6588668631) is catalog #8 ?

Thanks again........Cracker

[BoBlade]

Hi Cracker,

That one up now is No. 5. No. 7 sold recently on this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

No. 8 is the 4" X 9" in yellow with the 10 cent price on the cover (1948).

Best,

Ron