Accoutrements/Archie McPhee Catalogs

Object Details

Creator: Accoutrements, Seattle, Washington; Archie McPhee (Retail store)
Former owner: National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Cultural History

Summary: Accoutrements and Archie McPhee product catalogs dating from 1983-2008.

Biographical/Historical note: Accoutrements began as a mail order business in Los Angles, California in the 1970s. The company's creator, Mark Pahlow, started the business from his home offering rubber lizards and other collectible items for sale. In 1983, Pahlow moved his business to Seattle, Washington and established it as the retail outlet, Archie McPhee, named after his wife's great-uncle. Pahlow hired two employees and expanded the product line to include rubber chickens and a host of other novelty items. In 2018, Archie McPhee opened the Rubber Chicken Museum inside its Seattle store. The business currently offers retail, wholesale, and online services. Source: archiemcpheeseattle.com

Custodial History: The collection was transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Cultural History (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) in 2003.

Type: Collection descriptions; Archival materials; Photographs; Catalogs; Legal records

Citation: Accoutrements/Archie McPhee Catalogs, 1985-2003, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Arrangement: Collection is arranged into two series. Series 1, Catalogs, 1985-2008 Series 2: Other Materials, undated

Processing Information: Collection processed by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, archivist, 2005.

Rights: Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Genre/Form: Photographs -- 2000-2010; Photographs -- 1950-2000; Catalogs; Legal records

Scope and Contents note: Collection consists of almost a complete run of Accoutrements and Archie McPhee product catalogs dating from 1985-2008. It documents the advertising and promotion of the wide range of products during that period. Materials reflect the interests of the consumer market and what was paid for novelty and gift items. Collection is arranged into two series. Series 1, Catalogs, 1985-2008 and Series 2: Other Materials, undated.

Restrictions: Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.

Related Materials: Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History Warshaw Collection of Business Americana NMAH.AC.0060 Gladys Reid Holton Ephemera Collection NMAH.AC.0466 Mortimer Spiller Company Records NMAH.AC.1387