The Things You Never Knew Existed catalog brings a bevy of the best novelty gifts and gadget toys online, filled with things you never knew you could never live without. It is a catalog brand built around discovery, humor, and impulse purchase, with an emphasis on eclectic, often whimsical products that sit outside conventional retail. The brand has moved from a stand-alone mail order institution to a section within a larger catalog family, and the request for a free catalog remains a central touchpoint for new and returning customers.
Catalog Overview
The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog is part of Collections Etc., a national catalog and internet retailer specializing in unique and appealing merchandise at an exceptional value. The catalog is positioned as a source for fun, unique gifts, new arrivals and clearance items for great bargains on eclectic treasures.
The editorial description of the catalog emphasizes breadth. It carries playful gifts, fun clothing, unusual novelties, electronics, bizarre books and videos, As Seen on TV merchandise, and much more. The range is described from sporty things to seasonal things, security-based things to electronic gadgety things, with something for everyone.
Price positioning is a core theme. The catalog is marketed with thousands of items under $14.99, and affordable 99 cent novelties are specifically called out alongside magic tricks and nostalgic decor.
The catalog specializes in fun men’s novelty gifts for the holidays, unique and funny white elephant gifts, and unique gifts for women. Fun whimsical apparel and novelty gifts are a major pillar. The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog also offers apparel and accessories where humor is worn on the sleeve and chest.
Apparel and accessories coverage includes:
- 100% cotton tees, hats, pants, and even underwear available in a variety of hilarious themes
- Campy camp shirts, comfy loungewear, and accessories including belt buckles
- Novelty hats collection as a holiday favorite
- Novelty glasses, wallets, bags, watches, jewelry, and more odd accessories
Gag Gifts and Novelty Toys
The novelty toy and gag gift assortment is presented as a core strength. The catalog has the largest selection of funny gag gifts that will entertain and delight friends and family. Gag gags are described as gags that shock, fart, prank, gross-out and draw in.
The toys and games collection is positioned as a perfect gift that will entertain the inner child. Whether the buyer is a prankster, a tech geek, or a kid at heart, the catalog offers a wide range of unique novelty gifts guaranteed to elicit a wink and a smile.
For office party white elephant gift exchange inspiration, the catalog is presented as a one-stop source for fun gifts for everyone.
Collectibles and Memorabilia
The original collector’s catalog positioning is maintained. No matter what is collected, Things You Never Knew Existed will help complement a collection.
The collectible categories include:
- A wide variety of collectible coins and currency
- Television and film memorabilia
- Classic die-cast cars
- Trading cards
- Military-inspired paraphernalia
- More unique, collectible commodities
The catalog also offers a large selection of television and film memorabilia for memorabilia collectors.
Seasonal Merchandise
The catalog is structured around seasonal coverage. It has all the seasons covered from scary Halloween things to festive and cheery Christmas-y things.
Holiday items include:
- Stock up on the best Halloween costumes and masks
- Killer props and special effects
- Christmas accessories
- Inside and outside holiday decor that will keep things jolly
The seasonal selection is marketed as keeping buyers covered from October to the end of December.
As Seen on TV and Infomercial Essentials
The catalog curates As Seen on TV treasures that promise to make life better. The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog helps find the things you never knew existed until you saw them in late-night infomercials.
The As Seen on TV assortment ranges from kitchen helpers to fitness gear and more infomercial essentials.
Women’s Apparel and Brand Family
Offering exceptional clothing styles for women who want to look their best, the 2024 Things You Never Know Existed Catalog makes shopping for women a pleasure with affordable prices and an outstanding selection.
The Collections Etc. family of brands that include Better senior living and The Lighter Side/Betty’s Attic. The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog is one of the flagship novelty brands within that family.
Corporate History and Ownership Transition
The Things You Never Knew Existed catalog brand originated with The Johnson Smith Company, officially founded in 1914, one of America’s oldest catalog companies.
The Johnson Smith catalog was known for years as the “Things You Never Knew Existed” catalog and specialized in unique gifts and gag gifts.
UPDATE: The Johnson Smith Company closed in December 2019.
UPDATE: The Johnson Smith Company brands which included The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog, The Lighter Side Catalog, and Betty’s Attic Catalog were acquired by Winston Brands in 2020 who were “excited to keep the Johnson Smith Company brands moving forward and blending them into” their current family of Collections Etc.
A link to the Things You Never Knew Existed section of the Collections, Etc. website is provided for current browsing.
Bonus unique gift catalogs mentioned in coverage include The Lighter Side & Betty’s Attic, Collections, Etc., The Lighter Side, and a Great Gift Catalogs post.
Requesting a Free Catalog
The catalog is promoted with a direct request mechanism. The pin title Request a Free Catalog from Things You Never Knew Existed is used for social promotion.
The catalog is accessible both as a physical mail order catalog and as an online shopping destination. The online presence emphasizes new arrivals and clearance items for great bargains on eclectic treasures.
Pricing and Order Policies
When we charge your card, we are authorizing for the full amount of the order total, inclusive of all merchandise, shipping, handling fee, and estimated tax at the time of order placement. If a merchandise certificate is used, this is not deducted from the Order total before authorization.
Catalog Specs and Market Positioning
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand Parent | Collections Etc. |
| Brand Family | The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog, The Lighter Side Catalog, Betty’s Attic Catalog |
| Price Highlight | Thousands of items under $14.99 |
| Entry Price Point | Affordable 99 cent novelties |
| Core Categories | Novelty gifts, gag gifts, whimsical apparel, electronics, bizarre books and videos, As Seen on TV merchandise |
| Seasonal Focus | Halloween costumes, masks, props, special effects, Christmas accessories, indoor/outdoor holiday decor |
| Collector Focus | Coins, currency, TV/film memorabilia, die-cast cars, trading cards, military-inspired paraphernalia |
| Catalog History | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Company | The Johnson Smith Company |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Known As | Things You Never Knew Existed catalog |
| Closure | December 2019 |
| Acquired By | Winston Brands in 2020 |
| Integrated Into | Collections Etc. family |
| Apparel and Accessories | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tees | 100% cotton tees in hilarious themes |
| Headwear | Novelty hats collection, holiday favorite |
| Other Wear | Pants, underwear, camp shirts, loungewear |
| Accessories | Belt buckles, novelty glasses, wallets, bags, watches, jewelry, odd accessories |
Secondary Market and Collectible Catalogs
Physical catalogs have become collectible. One listing for Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog - Johnson Smith Company | 2000 shows:
- Price: US $15.89
- Condition: Good
- Condition note: Good condition. Some minor corners creased for page mark. Please see photos.
- Watchlist activity: 6 have added this to their watchlist
- Shipping: US $22.63 eBay International Shipping
- Location: Shelton, WA, United States
- Additional seller policy: Save on combined shipping, shop multiple items, bundle and save, import fees est. US $0.00 final at checkout
This secondary market activity reflects the catalog’s nostalgic value among novelty gift collectors.
Shopping Experience Highlights
The catalog lets you wear your humor on your sleeve and chest with a zany collection of apparel. Things You Never Knew Existed makes gift-giving easier and more fun.
The extensive collection of toys and games makes a perfect gift and will entertain their inner child. The catalog also supplements wardrobe with campy shirts and accessories.
Conclusion
The Things You Never Knew Existed free catalog represents a long-running novelty retail institution that began with Johnson Smith in 1914 and continues today under Collections Etc. after acquisition by Winston Brands in 2020. The catalog’s identity is built on discovery, humor, and value, with thousands of items under $14.99 and 99 cent novelties anchoring an accessible price tier.
The product mix spans whimsical apparel and accessories, gag gifts and prank items, As Seen on TV merchandise, seasonal Halloween and Christmas items, collectible coins and memorabilia, and electronics and gadgety things. The brand specializes in men’s novelty gifts, white elephant gifts, and unique gifts for women, with a strong emphasis on novelty hats, glasses, wallets, bags, watches, and jewelry.
Corporate history shows a clear lineage from Johnson Smith Company to Collections Etc. family brands, with The Lighter Side and Betty’s Attic as sister catalogs. Order policies authorize the full order total inclusive of merchandise, shipping, handling fee, and estimated tax at placement, with merchandise certificates not deducted before authorization.
For buyers seeking a free catalog request, the brand continues to promote mail and online access through Collections Etc., maintaining its role as a go-to resource for eclectic treasures, infomercial essentials, and seasonal novelty.