OVERVIEW:
Auto World catalog was published either annually or semi-annually by
Oscar Koveleski
in Scranton Pennsylvania. Mr Koveleski, a sports car
racer, started a retail mail order service for models, tools, paints, supplies, slot cars and even custom bicycle parts. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, this was the only way
for kids to get the latest models. That's how I got mine!!
Oscar started the business when he would take model kits of his Father's called "Li'l Old Timers" on his racing circuit. People repeatedly purchased from him and asked for more. He recognized the potential and created his first catalog in 1959. Besides his own catalog, he advertised heavily in other car and model magazines. These catalogs were readily available across the U.S., and early versions cost $.25.
As the hobby exploded, Mr Koveleski got many letters from his target market of 12-15 year olds for information on modeling techniques. From this he started Car Model magazine, the first in the market.
PUBLICATION DATA:
The publisher did NOT provide circulation data to a publishing compendia like N.W. Ayer.
CONTENT COMPLETENESS:
A total of 41 issues was printed from 1958 to 1992. We are missing only issue number 42, the last one.