Sears, Roebuck Home Builder's Catalog: The Complete Illustrated 1910 Edition

Work

$15000 TO $1,50000 SAVED ON BUILDING MATERIAL FOR A HOME

GUARANTEED QUALITIES IN ALL LINES OF BUILDING MATERIAL: DIMENSION TIMBERS, LUMBER; FLOORING, DOOR AND WINDOW FRAMES, WINDOWS, BLINDS, MOLDINGS, STAIRWORK, GRILLES, COLONNADES, CONSOLES, MANTELS, GRATES, ART GLASS, WINDOW GLASS, PORCH MATERIALS, ROOFING, EAVES TROUGH, BUILDERS’ HARDWARE, GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURES, PLUMBING, HEATING PLANTS, PAINTS, OILS, VARNISHES, CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINERY AND MOLDS

This book is compiled as the clinching argument in our plea to supply all your needs in building material. No more convincing argument than the pages of this book could be put up, other than the goods themselves. A man may overlook that we can save him a few cents or a few dollars on an item here or an item there, but no man will overlook the fact that we offer a saving of $150.00 to $1,500.00 in building material on homes usually costing $600.00 to $6,000.00; especially when we guarantee to furnish better material than can usually be secured on the market elsewhere. There is no other line of merchandise that we carry on which the savings we offer are likely to be more appreciated than our savings in building materials. The expression of satisfaction from our customers is so enthusiastic and the growth of our building material business is so rapid that we have been compelled to put forth the greatest possible efforts in increasing the capacity of the factories to supply the demand. The letters printed on these pages are only a few of the several thousand we have on file.

It is not necessary for us to dwell at length on the great values we offer in building material. You can readily see from looking through the pages of this book that the values are unusual. The only question that may arise in your mind is the question of quality. You will probably wish to know why such values are possible without the sacrifice of quality. You, like all others, if you have bought your building material elsewhere, have been paying much higher prices than ours. You can readily see that our prices cannot be met elsewhere, considering the grade of material we agree to furnish.

This illustration will instantly convey to your mind the simplicity and directness of our business methods. There is but one handling and one profit to pay on the finished product; it is the most economical of systems, and, naturally enough, we can make you a large saving on all lines of building material, while at the same time it puts us in complete control of quality, enabling us to guarantee a better quality than you can ordinarily secure on the market elsewhere.

Saved $15.00 on an Order of $31.71.

Hackensack, N. J.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—The order I sent you for mill work, sash, Empire door and oak flooring arrived in due time, sooner than I anticipated, and I must confess the Quality of the material far exceeded my expectations, and I will know in the future where to place my orders for mill work. My net saving was over $15.00 from prices I would have to pay here. I have not laid any, but I have examined the flooring and it is a fine grade and I am well pleased with this, my first order, and will cheerfully recommend my friends to you.

Respectfully,

J. W. EUSTICE.

_______

Mr. Eustice’s order amounted to but $31.71, nevertheless, he saves $15.00. This being the case, think of the saving carpenters and contractors can make by buying all their supplies from us. It will amount to hundreds of dollars and, in some cases, even thousands of dollars each season.

Has Built Three Houses and Is Well Pleased with Everything He Bought from Us.

Ramsey, N. J.

Stars, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:—I am not in the contracting business, but during the past year I have built three houses for myself, and in the near future I may build some more. In regard to your mill work supplies, I must say that I have been well pleased with everything I have bought from you and can recommend your goods most highly, and prices are low. I am sure I will remember you in the future.

Yours truly,

JOHN C. RYERSON.

Saved 25 Per Cent and Everything Is as Claimed.

Detroit, Mich.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—We are fully satisfied and find we saved 25 per cent on all building material we bought of you, and if we build again we shall send for a full carload and especially mill work. Everything bought of you is up to your claim in every way. We will gladly answer any inquiries that may come to us. We are living in our house and the cypress doors are dandy finished and we shall finish our next house in cypress all through. We are sending a photograph of the house. Accept our thanks for your cordial treatment.

Respectfully yours,

W. A. TURK.

Picture of Mr. Turk’s house is shown in our free Book of Modern Homes, mentioned on page 5.

Found Everything Beyond His Expectations.

Monongahela, Penn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—We are now living in our new home and I cannot find words to tell you how much we are pleased and to thank you for the honest way you treated me in the deal. I found everything beyond my expectations. We are complimented on having the nicest house in Monongahela City for the price. I have already recommended you to my friends and will continue to do so.

Yours very truly,

E. F. ADDISON.

Paid Us $7.49 for Mantel and Saved Over $12.00.

Eddy, Texas.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I am pleased with the mantel ordered from you. It is as nice as the $20.00 mantels I could get here.

Very respectfully,

MISS MYRA J. TOLBERT.

Saved $800.00 and Quality Surpasses Everything in the Neighborhood.

Colorado Springs, Colo.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I will state that I am more than pleased with my home built by your plans and with your material. I have saved on my order given you about $800.00 and the quality of the material furnished by you far surpasses any that is being furnished for other houses being built right here. Your prices are more than 50 per cent less and in some cases even more than that. I received my entire order in a little more than two weeks from the time you shipped it from your factory and not a single article was damaged and it was packed in fine shape. I thank you for the promptness and the courteous manner in which you treated me. I intend to erect another house for renting purposes next spring and you can rest assured your firm will receive my order. Enclosed please find picture of our new home.

Yours truly,

JOHN M. CLEAR.

Plumbers Estimated Our $255.40 Hot Water Heating Plant to Cost $500.00 to $600.00.

Trenton, N. J.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—About one year ago I purchased a hot water plant from you, which I installed myself from your working plans, doing the work nights and mornings. It has given perfect satisfaction. I had two plumbers give rough estimates as to the probable cost and one said it would amount to between $500.00 and $550.00, and the other said it would cost nearly $600.00. You furnished this outfit for $255.40, so you see I have saved about half of the cost by ordering from you. I never had but very little experience in cutting pipe, but had no trouble whatever with putting in the plant, and if I were in need of another plant I would place my order just as I did before; namely, with Sears, Roebuck and Co. We also purchased one of your Wehrle No. 85 ranges, which cannot be beat.

GEO. B. HURLEY.

Entirely Pleased With Mantel.

Greeley, Penn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—The mantels in design and workmanship are all that could be required. They are excellent for the price. I am perfectly satisfied with your house and I will buy my goods right along from you. In the near future my brother-in-law will build and I am sure you will receive his orders.

Yours truly,

HERMAN J. BLASKE.

Saved $22.00 on an Order of $70.73 After Paying the Freight.

Watertown, N. Y.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I wish to acknowledge the receipt of our mill work order, and wish to say I am very much pleased with the goods in every respect. They arrived in due time and in first class condition. After paying the freight of $11.25 I saved by ordering of you 27 per cent, or $22.00, on the order of $70.73 compared with our local shops. If you have any customer in this locality who might hesitate in sending you a mill work order, kindly refer them to me, as I am a builder of fourteen years in this locality. I can assure you of more orders from me in the near future. Thanking you for your prompt shipment of our previous order and care taken in packing all goods, I am.

Yours truly,

ARTHUR R. BESHA.

Saved 30 Per Cent on Material.

Bay Shore, L. I., N. Y.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I am very well pleased with the quality of material sent by you. The red oak trim was the prettiest lot of mill work I ever saw and the carpenter did not have to Band it or dress it in any way before using. Your columns were of the best, and your doors and sash cannot be excelled at twice the cost. I saved at least 30 per cent on the material.

Very truly yours,

S. J. SMITH.

Contractors Saved $150.00 on Each House.

Barrington, Ill.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—We built two houses from your plan No. 133. Material ordered from you was better than first class, if that could be possible. The entire shipment was received within fifteen days after being ordered. By using your plans, specifications, material and blue print we saved $150.00 on each house. Enclosed find photograph of the two houses.

Yours very truly,

ALVERSON & GROFF

Pictures of above two houses are shown in our free Book of Modern Homes, mentioned on page 5.

OUR METHODS GUARANTEE BOTH MONEY SAVING AND BETTER QUALITY

If you have bought other supplies such as wearing apparel, household hardware and other necessities from us, yon of course know that we are furnishing the best standard of merchandise at lower prices than they can be bought for anywhere else, saving you in some cases 25 per cent, in others 35 per cent and in others 50 per cent or even more. We have applied the same principles of merchandising to building material of all kinds, and it is simply because it is applied on such a large scale that the savings we offer seem so striking. They are only the natural result of a method that spells economy from start to finish.

Our direct from factory to consumer method. We ship direct from one of the largest and most finely equipped mill work and building material factories in this country; we own and control saw mills that manufacture our lumber. Our mills being centrally located, enable us to make prompt shipments with very low freight charges. The latest improved high grade machinery is installed in these plants and the most skilled workmen are employed. We thus have absolute control of quality. To supply the demand, we keep on hand at all times immense finished stocks of all these goods and can make shipment more promptly than any other factory of its kind in the country. Our goods are bright, new, fresh and clean, handled only once, and they cannot be compared with the ordinary building material that has been handled several times and usually arrives in a soiled or otherwise unsatisfactory condition.

We also manufacture our own roofing, plumbing goods and paints. We control the outputs of large plants manufacturing builders’ hardware, gas and electric light fixtures, heating plants and concrete block machinery and molds. These goods are shipped direct from factories or from our Chicago store, as indicated in the descriptions of the merchandise. These direct factory connections give us complete control of quality. The goods are manufactured according to our own specifications. This is the reason why we can guarantee to furnish you a better average quality throughout than you can readily obtain on the market.

Consider our factory connections as above explained, how they enable us to control quality, and you have the complete answer to any question that may arise in your mind as to the quality of our goods. You can therefore see that our low prices are not due to any sacrifice of quality but simply due to the natural results of an economical system of business, where every item of unnecessary expense is removed and you get the full benefit.

To carpenters, contractors and builders: We specially solicit your trade; we are supplying many of the largest carpenters, contractors and builders in the country, which is substantial proof that our prices are lower than can be secured elsewhere and that our goods are satisfactory. You can increase your percentage of profit considerably and save your customers a great deal of money besides if you let us furnish you all your building material. We suggest that you offer prospective customers estimates based on the prices you find in this book and we know that you will make a distinctly favorable impression, because we are sure they will find it impossible to duplicate your offer through any other source, for we do not know of any other system that contains the elements of money saving for consumers that ours does. Just take the time to look through this catalog, compare the prices on a number of items with the prices you are asked to pay elsewhere and you can quickly convince yourself that we are stating nothing but the plain facts.

Grading of our mill work. We guarantee our mill work to be strictly up to or better than the official grades adopted by the Sash, Door and Blind Manufacturers’ Association of the Northwest, which is a sufficient guarantee to protect customers who are skeptical about quality. We endeavor to improve our quality even beyond the qualifications laid down by this association. Few concerns can improve quality beyond the official grade of the association because they do not enjoy the wonderful facilities we have, for we are interested in some of the largest and best timber tracts in the United States, as well as the best equipped mills for manufacturing building material of every description in the world, controlling the quality of our stock from the time the tree is felled until it is a finished product.

OUR TERMS.

We require cash with each order, our terms being net cash without discount, no matter how large the order may be. Our prices represent the lowest factory cost and one profit. You will find these prices the lowest you can get, quality considered. We are shipping many carload orders every day at these prices. The best way to send money is in the form of an express or postoffice money order, a bank draft or your personal check.

Saved Nearly Half, Quality Considered.

Roselle Park, N. J.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I enclose herewith photograph of my house, the same which I built according to the general layout of plan No. 114. The picture of the house as you will see is identical with that shown in your catalog, but with a few exceptions. The layout of the rooms and trimmings are also somewhat different from the original. Am very glad to say that on whatever I purchased from you for my house, which I think amounted to $800.00, the quality of the material was very satisfactory. I know that I could not have obtained the same material here for less than about twice the amount, considering quality. Comparing the cost of my last house, which I sold, with the present one, the latter cost me only about $500.00 more than the former, which contained only six rooms and bath, my new house containing nine rooms and bath, besides one or two other conveniences. Furthermore, my present house is much better built. In conclusion, would state that all transactions between you and me have been attended to promptly and fairly in every respect. I shall certainly favor you with as many orders as I can.

Your customer,

JOHN C. JOHNSON.

Suburban Home Builder Saves $1,000.00.

Washington, D. C.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I am a builder of suburban residences. Two years ago I commenced using Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s material, mill work, hardware, mantels, furnaces, ranges, etc. I have used them in six houses and estimate the saving thereby to be fully $1,000.00. I expect to continue the use of Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s goods, which I would not do if they were not satisfactory.

Very respectfully,

CHAS. T. CALDWELL

Quality Satisfies Him and Saved $1,000.00.

Cohces, N. Y.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I am sending you a photograph of the house built from material shipped by you and according to your plans. I am pleased to say that I am well satisfied with the quality of material and your prompt shipment. Your plans are a great help to anyone who wants to build after a close estimate. I can say that I saved $1,000.00 on this property.

Very truly yours,

FRANK CHAMBERLAND.

Picture of Mr. Chamberland’s house is shown in our free Book of Modern Homes, mentioned on page 5.

The Wizard Is a Perfect Concrete Block Machine.

334 Euclid Ave., Lynn, Mass.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:—I cannot help but write you and gladly give you my opinion of the Wizard Concrete Building Block Machine. The Wizard machine is a perfect concrete block making machine, far superior in speed to any other machine I have or have seen. It is of good, durable and well finished construction, and the simplicity with which it works is an object in itself and it is 50 per cent cheaper than any other first class machine bought by anyone that makes concrete blocks in my vicinity. I shall be only too pleased to show and demonstrate the merits of the Wizard Concrete Block Machine to anybody in my neighborhood who is interested.

Yours truly,

JOHN STEVENSON.

One Man Makes 175 Blocks in Nine-Hour Day.

505 Second St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

Plant: Hillbrook, D. C.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:—My experience with the Wizard Concrete Block Machine has been very successful. Can say it is the fastest working machine I have ever handled. One of my men has made 175 blocks in a nine-hour day, doing all the work himself, such as mixing the material, moving and curing the blocks. In my opinion and from what I have seen of the Wizard Block Machine, comparing it with other makes, I can say it is the best machine made for concrete block purposes, and I will never hesitate in recommending your Wizard machine as the best in the market.

Yours truly,

B. BONNABEL.

Manufacturer of Concrete Building Blocks.

Much Pleased With Material and Saved 25 Per Cent.

Altoona, Penn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—Under separate cover am mailing you a picture of our house built from your plan No. 115, the material for which, with the exception of the rough lumber, was bought from your firm. I was much pleased with all the material and would also state that we saved fully 25 per cent on the present local prices in buying from your firm.

Yours truly,

E. N. HARRAR.

Picture of Mr. Harrar’s house is shown in our free Book of Modern Homes, mentioned on page 5.

Wouldn’t Take $500.00 for His Hot Air Furnace.

31 Park St., Cortland, N. Y.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:—I ordered one Acme Tropic Furnace with all registers, pipe, elbows and fittings complete for heating my house. You had agreed to furnish everything, excepting lumber for the cold air box, for the sum of $60.29, guaranteeing the furnace to heat my house to 70 degrees in the coldest weather, providing I would install the furnace according to the plans furnished by you. I installed it and all piping fitted together perfectly. I started a fire and an abundance of heat came from each and every register. The fire did not go out during the winter and the best and most grand thing of all is that the thermometer in the northwest corner of our front room stood at 71 to 73 degrees during the cold wave of the week beginning January 2d, with a strong northwest wind and the thermometer registering 16 below zero. I am a locomotive fireman on the Lehigh Valley Railroad and was firing a passenger train at the time I installed this heating plant and I did all the work alone during spare hours. Thus you may see everything fitted nicely. The whole plant, including freight, cartage, etc., cost me $68.00, including the lumber, etc., for the cold air box. Parties here wanted $135.00 to heat these same rooms. I saved $67.00. I dare say I would have received a poorer article from those asking double the money. If unable to get another like it, $500.00 would not take this one out. Best wishes for Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Very sincerely,

A. G. BROWN.

Saved $500.00, Besides Getting Better Material.

York, Neb.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—We were more than satisfied with everything we received as we failed to find even one piece of poor material in the entire bill. This home will stand the closest inspection. Scores of people who have come to see the so called Sears, Roebuck house have been favorably impressed with the plan and material which they found while carefully looking over the building, and many of them are now ordering mill work from you who previously hesitated to do so. We have saved fully $500.00 on this building besides having better material than we could possibly have gotten at our home town. We were greatly surprised, too, at the manner and promptness in which our order was handled, as we received most of the material within nine days from the time we mailed our order, the distance being nearly 700 miles.

Very truly yours,

J. P. BERCK.

ABSOLUTELY NO RISK IN ANY TRANSACTION WITH US

WE GUARANTEE SAFE DELIVERY

We guarantee safe delivery of all our building material. We will replace broken glass on condition that yon send us the paid freight expense bill with a notation thereon signed by the freight agent stating the condition of doors or windows on arrival at station, so that we may use this statement in making claim against the railroad company for damages; or if you can buy the glass from your local dealer you may do so, sending us receipted bill, together with freight receipt with the agent’s notation thereon, and we will promptly return the cost of the glass. Always get the agent’s notation on the paid expense bill if any goods arrive in a damaged condition and we will promptly adjust the matter to your entire satisfaction. You assume no risk whatever.

FREIGHT CHARGES AMOUNT TO VERY LITTLE

Do not allow the freight charges to cause you any concern, for they amount to very little indeed as compared with the great saving we make for you on building material. No matter where you live, we can save you money on your purchase. Remember, that no matter from whom you buy building material, you are always obliged to pay freight charges. Delivered prices on building material bought elsewhere always include the freight, and when freight charges are added to our net prices you will find that the total amounts to a great deal less than the delivered prices quoted elsewhere on the same grade of goods. Our factories and other shipping points are centrally located, securing for you the lowest possible freight rates.

OUR CAREFUL METHODS OF PACKING

The illustration of crates and bundles on page 160 gives you an idea of the great care we exercise in packing and shipping building material. We realize that no matter how good the quality may be or how low our prices may be the transaction will not be satisfactory to you if the goods do not arrive at their destination in perfect order. We have made an exceedingly careful study of the best materials and methods for packing mill work and other building material. All glass is amply protected by a good grade of ½-inch lumber; all finished doors are protected with heavy building paper. We positively guarantee every shipment to arrive at destination in first class order. In fact, they will be found to be much cleaner and much more satisfactory than goods purchased elsewhere, which are usually handled many times before reaching you. Our goods come straight to you from the factories with only one handling.

OUR GUARANTEE

The purpose of this guarantee is to safeguard your interests, to remove all risk in buying from us, to insure you against any possible disappointment. Each and every article in this catalog is therefore offered with the understanding and agreement that it must satisfy you perfectly, that it will give the service you have a right to expect, that it represents full value for the money you pay. If there is the slightest dissatisfaction for any reason whatsoever you may return the purchase to us at our expense and we will exchange it for exactly what you want, or will, if you prefer, return your money and any transportation charges you paid on the shipment.

Our Heating Plant Conquers Terrific Winds and Severe Cold.

R. R. No. 1. Ypsilanti. Mich.

Sears. Roebuck and Co., Chicago. Ill.

Dear Sins:- I take great, pleasure in telling you that the one thing in our home which stands ahead of everything else in the satisfaction and comfort it gives us is the hot water heating plant which I purchased of you. We have a large twelve-room house always open from attic, to cellar and we are situated in the country where we have absolutely no shelter from the winds, which are something terrific, here. We have had a gale blowing here when the temperature was at zero and that means harder to heat a house than at 20 degrees below in still weather. There was never a time when we could not keep the temperature at 70 degrees where our thermometer hung by the side of the north window and away from a radiator. This point was the coldest part of the house. The house was all open and we very seldom had the radiators open in four of the six rooms upstairs, as the heat from below kept them more than comfortable. Another point as to fuel. We have lived in a number of houses with different heating systems. None of these houses was as large as this, but it, took from $80.00 to $100.00 worth of fuel and we wore never as comfortable as here. I never could burn gas coke in any other furnace with success, Here I burn nothing but gas coke and in this furnace it equals hard coal, ton for ton, in my estimation. Furnace never went out all winter with coke as fuel. The coke costs only half as much as hard coal. Last, winter I would check the furnace at night and the temperature was never below 60 degrees in the morning. I can raise the temperature of the water in the whole system from 100 degrees to over 200 degrees in less than two hours on the coldest days. There has never been a time when, we did not have plenty of reserve heat on the coldest days. In cold weather I warm the water for my stock to drink by drawing off hot water from the bottom of my furnace. This is great, convenience. It is putting it mildly when I say that we are more than pleased with the furnace. I installed the whole plant alone, from the putting in of the radiators starting the system, without any help except what I got from the set of tools I got of you. I did not have a single leak when I started the plant and never since. I never did any pipe fitting myself before, but have watched it done. Another point in which it beats any furnace I ever saw. I can clean every part of that furnace in just three minutes without disturbing the system in any way, and when I say clean it, I mean thoroughly. I can do this cleaning with a white shirt on and never get a speck of dirt on me. We would be lost completely without that heating system. You may use this or refer to me. I worked off and on for ten days installing the plant. I could not put in long hours, as I had routine work to do.

O. BUTTON.

Local Firms Said, We Cannot Compete with Those Prices, and We Furnished Him Superior Material.

Caplevillo, Tenn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:—I am now living in my new home built after your house plan No. 102. All of the material entering into, the construction of this house was bought of you except the rough lumber, brick, etc. I sent to you rather than to our home town (Memphis. Tenn.), because I found out that it would be money saved to order of you. It is impossible to say how much I saved, because upon many items, such as doors and windows. I could not get our local firm to bid at all after they saw your figures. They said, We cannot compete with these prices. However, judging from some of the material on which I did got bids, I judge that I saved at least $200.00 by ordering of you. I am much pleased at the superior kind of material furnished. My order received prompt attention and the shipments were made with great dispatch and reached us at once in the best of order. When anything was damaged in transit you replaced it with good material without delay. It is with pleasure that I write this to you, since we are so well pleased with all transactions had with your house.

Yours truly,

DR. F. M. MALONE.

Hot Air Furnace Heats the House Just Fine.

Huron, S. Dak.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago. Ill.

Dear Sirs:—I have received my furnace which was shipped from your foundry. I received it in good condition. Everything came through in fine shape. There was not one piece broken or lost. I have, it up and am very much pleased with it in every way. It heats the house just fine. I shall remain as ever.

Your customer,

MRS. ETTA WETHERILL.

Heats Nine-Room House to 70 in Zero Weather.

Box 157, Derry, Penn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago. Ill.

Dear Sirs:—The hot water heating plant, purchased from you is giving perfect satisfaction to me in every form. It keeps a nine-room house to 70 degrees in zero weather when the heater registers about 185 degrees. It also does not require any more fuel than it would take for a stove that would heat only one or two rooms and requires my attention only twice daily. I would recommend your heaters to any one requiring a plant at small cost and very little fuel and labor, as I can run my heater with coke at a cost of $16.80 per season.

HARRY L. HEACOX.

Will Use Our Mantels in the Future.

R. F. D. No. 6, Marshall, Texas.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I have boon more than pleased with the mantel I ordered from you. I expect to give you all of my orders in future for same goods. Also mill work which I ordered from you, is perfectly satisfactory. I only regret that I didn’t order my paint from you for my own residence. I am a contracting builder and any time I have a job that demands mantels, etc., you can expect my order. I am a Sears, Roebuck man.

Yours truly,

W. B. KEASLER.

Makes More Blocks on the Wizard Than on Any Other Machine He Ever Saw.

Montowese. Conn.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—I received the Wizard Concrete Pudding Block Machine in perfect order and have given it a trial. It has proven perfectly satisfactory in all respects and I can produce more blocks on this machine than on any other I have ever seen.

Yours very truly,

LEROY BROCKETT.

The Wizard Is a Wonder, the Best Machine He Ever Saw, Simple in Construction and Easy to Operate.

Congress Heights, Washington, D. C.

Randall Lane.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago. Ill.

Gentlemen:—I received the Wizard Concrete Block Machine on November 19th, and wish to thank you for the kind consideration on your part in sending me the Wizard machine instead of the X-L-ALL which I ordered of you, thus showing the interest you take in pleasing your customers. The machine is a wonder. There is not room in my letter to state all the good points about this machine. I did not have one line of instructions to go by or know how to work it. but the machine is so simple in construction it could fairly talk, and we went right to work making blocks and have made several hundred. The machine is worked by myself and son-in-law and we can now make a block every two minutes. The rock face is a work of art and the most perfect design of cut stone I ever saw produced on any block in use around this section of the country (and there are a great many). This machine is far superior to any machine I have seen, some of which they are asking $125.00 for. I have recommended your machine to several friends who live in other suburban cities around Washington and you will, no doubt, receive some orders for a Wizard before long. Thanking you again for your kindness in sending me the Wizard machine, I remain.

Yours respectfully,

JOHN W. BROWN.

Our Steam Heating Plant Enables Him to Keep His House at 72 to 80 Degrees When the Temperature Outside Is 35 Degrees to 49 Degrees Below Zero.

Northfield, Vt.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:—We have six months of winter here that we have to keep tire, and some of it, from zero to 35 to 49 degrees below, and I can keep my house from 72 to 80 degrees all the time. I can fix the fire at night at 9 o’clock, and if I want to I can fix the dampers so that it will keep up to 70 degrees all night, but that is a little too warm to sleep in. I cannot say enough about the heating plant. I am very well pleased with it. There is no noise or hammering in the pipes. The only way you know there is any steam coming is to put your hand on the radiators. Now I heat the whole house—ton rooms and hall—with the same amount of coal I used in two stoves, and I can have every room warm enough to sit in in any kind of weather we have here, anywhere from 72 to 80 degrees; that is hot enough. All last winter when if was anywhere from 10 to 30 degrees below zero, it was 72 degrees in the house. The plant cost me somewhere about $200.00. My local plumber asked mo $380.00, so you can see how much I saved. Anyone can come and see the plant any time. I would be glad to have them. Now you can pick out as much of this to publish as you wish. I presume all of it would not look well, but I have got it pretty well advertised in this town just the same.

ELMER E. BILISS.

OUR $100.00 BUILDING PLANS COST YOU NOTHING

AS EXPLAINED ON THE OPPOSITE PAGE.

IN OUR BOOK OF MODERN HOMES we illustrate eighty different styles of houses country and farm houses, ranging in cost for building from $500.00 to $5,000.00. A few of these are illustrated on this and the opposite page.

OUR PLANS are the work of the best known licensed architects specially engaged by us for this service. They fully investigated the requirements of home builders everywhere in the United States and have embodied in our plans the very latest ideas of the best posted contractors and builders in this country, as well as the very best architects, giving us a variety of houses specially adapted for city, town or farm homes. Ideas and suggestions impossible for you to secure elsewhere at any price.

OUR BUILDING PLANS, specifications and bill of materials, which cost you nothing, as explained on opposite page, include the following:

I—A complete set of working drawings, blue prints, with all details and dimensions plainly marked, drawn to the scale of ¼ inch to the foot, a most convenient scale. They are so accurately drawn and so complete that any mechanic can understand and follow them easily.

FRONT ELEVATION, showing the front view of the house.

RIGHT SIDE ELEVATION, showing the right side view of the house.

LEFT ELEVATION, showing the left side view of the house.

REAR ELEVATION, giving a back view of the house.

LONGITUDINAL PLANS, showing cross section.

FOUNDATION PLANS, giving information with reference to excavation, foundation, etc.

FIRST FLOOR PLANS, with sizes of rooms, partitions, doorways, windows, etc., given in detail.

SECOND FLOOR PLANS (if a two-story structure) giving size of rooms, partitions, location of windows, doors, etc., in detail.

DETAILED DRAWINGS OF MATERIALS, showing stair finish, balusters, style of window trimmings, hardware, porch finish, cornice finish, and all the material necessary to give style and character to the structure inside and out.

2—Complete specifications of material and labor required, outlining all the conditions under which a contract may be let, enabling you to protect your interests perfectly if house is to be built by contract.

3—Complete bill of materials, explaining the cost, quantity and dimensions of timbers required, also the quantity and kind of exterior finishing lumber, porch work, roofing, flooring, window and door frames, doors and windows, inside finishing lumber Including all molding, stairwork, etc., building hardware, such as door locks, hinges, cupboard catches, drawer pulls, sash locks, gutters and eaves troughs, glass, paints, varnishes and fillers for outside and inside painting.

COMPARE THE COST ESTIMATES of the houses illustrated on this and the opposite page with the cost of houses erected in your neighborhood during the past five years. Our plans and building material prices enable you to save fully one-third or more.

OUR PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS CALL FOR THE HIGHEST GRADE MATERIALS AND LABOR.

We specify the best grade of mill work, dimension lumber, hardware and paint, as well the highest grade workmanship throughout. Our estimates are accurate. We prove them by giving you exact figures on every item. We send you a typewritten bill of materials with our blue print and specifications. We guarantee our prices on lumber, mill work, such as windows, doors, interior trim, flooring, siding, hardware, paint, mantels, plumbing and heating. On these we save you nearly one-half. Write get our Book of Modern Homes at once.

No. 102

FOR $861.00 we will furnish all the material to build this ten-room house. This price includes mill work, lumber, building paper, eaves troughs, bard ware and painting material. By allowing a fair price for labor this house can be built for $1,995.00.

No. 131

FOR $1,420.00 we will furnish all the material to build this thirteen-room, two-family house. This price includes mill work, lumber, building paper, eaves troughs, mantels, hardware, and painting material. By allowing a fair price for labor this house can be built for $3,157,00.

No. 123

FOR $1,073.00 we will furnish all the material to build this nine-room house. This price includes mill work, lumber, building paper, eaves troughs, mantels, hardware and painting material. By allowing a fair price for labor this house can be built for $2,578.00.

No. 111

FOR $879.00 we will furnish all the material to build this nine-room house. This price includes mill work, lumber, building paper, eaves troughs hardware and painting material. By allowing a fair price for labor this house can be built for $2,130.00.

First Floor Plan for No. 102 Modern Home shown above

Second Floor Plan for No. 102 Modern Home shown above

No. 52

FOR $744.00 we will furnish all the material to build this nine-room concrete block house. This price includes mill work, lumber, hardware and painting material. By allowing a fair price for labor this house can be built for $1,998 00.

No. 34

FOR $873.00 we will furnish all the material to build this eight-room house.