Added 2 new covers to the covers gallery today. I’m pacing myself now, having added 2 complete catalogs to get the ball rolling. From here on out I think it’ll come in small bites, so keep coming back. Subscribe to the blog or join the Facebook page to get a hit of old BR when it comes in.

Half of the catalogs are numbered, but each season seems to have had an update catalog which is un-numbered. So there is a Spring and a Summer Update that accompanies these. Many of the pages are straight copies, but more product has been added and new covers drawn and copy written.

Banana Republic Catalog No. 22, Spring 1985

“Into the Amazon with Mel and Patricia Ziegler”. This is a gorgeous cover, with deep blues and blacks, well rendered foliage and a surprisingly purple river. A toucan to lead the eye to the product, a swimming jaguar for a hint of danger, and several monkeys for humor. I love these scenes they set up with the typewriter and an assortment of products that you and the monkey both desire. I love the color scheme on the logo in this one. Black red yellow and green is a wining combination. The cover artist is uncredited.

Banana Republic Catalog No. 23, Summer 1985.

This is a fantastic illustration of the BR Air Corps on bivouac in North Africa. The bi-plane on one side, the company flag with a star on the flagpole such a nice touch. Patricia is painting a refreshing ocean scene (a mirage, perhaps?). Many nods to civilized life, a clarinet on the music stand in the tent and a huge bag of fresh Kenya coffee beans. In the distance the ruins of Wanderlust bekon to a pith-helmeted Mel. Classic and fun. The Summer 1985 No. 23 is hard to make out, it’s on the camel’s hump. The credited artist is Chester Arnold, a renowned Bay Area artist.