Vintage
1978
Cal-Van Tools

72 Page Colorful Automotive Counter Catalog Insert 11" x 8-1/2"

Rescued from R.J. Loock in Baltimore, Md. One of the areas biggest automotive parts and point of sale distributors from 1913 though 2001 when they closed, more on R.J Loock and our pick below.

Cal-Van Tools has been in business for over 60 years providing professional mechanics and technicians quality tools that make there job easier. Cal-Van Tools currently sells over 320 different tools and is considered one of the most respected tool companies in the world. 

"Automotive Specialty Hand Tools"



Vintage Cal-Van Tools 1978 "Automotive Specialty Hand Tools" Color 72 pg Catalog
 
   

Please check out all the pictures above

I've dated this piece several ways first, knowing the history of where it came from. Second, this advertising came from a 1 foot thick jobbers catalog with 100's of inserts dating from the 1970's through the early 80's, and finally by looking up any additional advertising online for this product and the matching price list dated 1978.

This is a really cool jobbers sell sheet and what a great collectors piece. This piece is in amazing shape, bright, crisp corners with almost no shelf wear. The accompanying updated 4 page price list is in similar shape, light shelf wear with sharp corners but has some discoloration from the jobbers binder on the edge. Showcasing Cal-Van Tools with a full list of products and pricing for there automotive specialty hand tools. If you have a cool shop, garage, collection or just like vintage advertising than this would look really cool framed on the wall or in your own catalog!

Please check out other Jobber Sell Sheets and the rest of our eBay store
by CLICKING HERE!

DISCOUNT COMBINED SHIPPING ON PAPER CATALOG INSERTS
* Media & Priority Shipping Available *
* Local Pick-Up Available *

R.J Loock History and Our Pick

These items were sourced from R.J. LOOCK which was a Baltimore Institution when it came to Automobiles. They operated at the same location : 339-345 N Gay st from 1913 until the neighborhood declined and the last heir retired in 2001. They were not your ordinary cookie cutter automotive parts store like you see today. They were parts distributors as well as jobbers for their own LIGHTNIN Parts line as well as for most of the top brands of the day. They sold: Auto supplies, Replacement parts, Garage equipment, Shop equipment, Tires, Tubes, Oil, Grease, Accessories  and they even had a Complete (belt driven) Machine Shop.

This may not sound different from an auto zone except Loock was responsible for placing products such as Champion Spark Plugs, Quaker State and Gates belts (to name a VERY few products) into EVERY private and municipal garage that used them in a 5 state area. long before the internet and trade shows, these guys were road warriors that sold stuff the hard way on a massive scale. As the 22 floors of samples that they left behind will attest... thats right... I said 22 FLOORS of Samples! R.J.Loock tried to sell ANY quality product that they thought had a chance . Of course, as jobbers they were responsible for placing advertising in the businesses that they catered to as well.

We were lucky enough to purchase salvage rights to this little treasure trove almost 15 years ago now, and this is the last of our treasures! There was no working elevator and the buildings were 4 floors tall with a basement ................................. and they NEVER threw ANYTHING of value AWAY! It took us 2 months full time to sort through and we are now coming to the end of what we have found. If you like high quality out of the box advertising as well as MINT  automotive related collectibles, please bookmark us and keep checking back, we keep finding bits and pieces in our storage warehouse. I think you will be in for a treat.

AND

If you are a beginning collector, theres stuff for you too. They had a habit of nailing signs around to cover holes and such so we will be offering those as well, most are gone now, but not all...please check out our store by CLICKING HERE