American Science and Surplus
For much of my childhood catalogs from this company, then known as
Jerryco, were a favorite. "Cover price half a buck" with a hand drawn
smiling half deer, told you everything you needed to know about the
product descriptions. The products themselves are a mix of new science
toys, assorted surplus often with an eye towards science and technology
parts, and silly novelties. The plastic finger shaped coat hooks were
probably purchased just so the copywriter could call them "come hither
hookers."
I recently hunted them down to buy an assortment of cheap lenses, to
try restoring a Magic Lantern I found at a garage sale. And lo and
behold, the website has much of the charm of the catalog, plus it has
photos of some of the products to boot. (The catalog never had any
photos, just drawings.) Maybe now I'll be on the mailing list again.
Link