"Since 1872, when traveling salesman Aaron Montgomery Ward realized he could eliminate the middleman and sell goods directly to his customers, Americans have had an ongoing love affair with the mail-order catalog, one which continues undiminished even in today's online world. The practical consumer can find deals on furniture and clothing in L.L. Bean and Sears; the extravagant buyer can consider his-and-hers matching helicopters, windmills, hot-air balloons, and submarines in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book; while our inner swashbuckler can travel the world via the J. Peterman Owner's…
