17 Weirdest Items Ever Sold via Mail Order
These bizarre products prove that people will buy just about anything if it comes in a catalog.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before the internet, mail-order catalogs were the go-to source for all kinds of goods. Some were useful, others downright absurd. Among the sensible purchases were a few strange entries that raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity. This list explores the oddest, funniest, and most puzzling items ever sold through the mail.
1. X-Ray Specs
Russell Bernice on Flickr
These novelty glasses claimed to let users “see through” objects, especially clothing — a gimmick that preyed on teen curiosity. Despite their absurd promise, they were wildly popular for a time.
2. Sea Monkeys
Cathy on Flickr
Marketed as instant pets, sea monkeys were actually brine shrimp in a powdered form. The ads promised a fun and interactive aquatic experience, complete with smiling cartoon creatures.
3. Uranium Ore Sample
Wikimedia Commons
Yes, you could once buy a small piece of radioactive uranium through the mail. It was sold as a science kit addition for aspiring young physicists.
4. DIY Lobotomy Kit
Alfabalık on Wikimedia Commons
A dark and disturbing relic, this kit claimed to offer at-home psychological “relief.” Obviously not a real medical product, it played more on shock value and morbid curiosity.
5. Grow Your Own Martian Kit
Guick on Unsplash
Promised a chance to “raise” a little green alien in a jar. In reality, it was just a sponge toy that expanded in water. However, the packaging sold it with such flair that kids believed they were harboring extraterrestrial life.
6. Beard-in-a-Can
peter barwick on Flickr
A gag item for the follically challenged, this spray-on beard was essentially black foam. It made for a funny party trick but never passed for actual facial hair.
7. Home Bikini Waxing Kit (1960s Edition)
BullockCart on Flickr
Long before modern spa treatments, brave souls could order hot wax kits with vague instructions. The results were often less than smooth and more than a little painful.
8. Instant Weight Gain Powder for Bodybuilding
Mike1024 on Wikimedia Commons
Aimed at skinny men who wanted to bulk up fast, this chalky powder was loaded with calories and mystery ingredients. It promised huge gains with minimal effort.
9. “Genuine” Vampire Hunting Kit
GreenDragonWorkshop on DeviantArt
Styled like something from a horror movie, these kits came with wooden stakes, garlic vials, and crosses. Sold mostly as novelty collectibles, some people took them far too seriously.
10. Poetry by Your Pet
Achraf Alan on Pexels
Customers sent in their pet’s paw print, and a company would “translate” it into heartfelt poetry. The results were always strange, sometimes hilarious.
11. DIY Lie Detector Kit
Jeff Howard on Flickr
This kit claimed it could detect lies through basic electrical conductivity. It rarely worked, but that didn’t stop amateur sleuths from trying it out.
12. Sasquatch Footprint Mold
DSCN0505 on Wikimedia Commons
A “replica” of Bigfoot’s footprint, it was often sold as evidence of his existence. Buyers could display it proudly or prank friends with it.
13. Chia Clown Head
Jim Ellwanger
Everyone knows the Chia Pet, but the clown version added a haunting twist. Grass sprouted from its head like wild clown hair.
14. Love Potion No. 9
Invidiana on DeviantArt
This mysterious “aromatic” blend promised to make people fall for you. There’s no real science behind it, but it sold in droves thanks to its catchy marketing.
15. Snake Oil Energy Elixir
armageddon on DeviantArt
Marketed as a cure-all, this tonic came with bold claims and vague ingredients. It offered everything from improved focus to eternal youth.
16. Mail-Order Haunted Doll
Wikimedia Commons
Advertised as genuinely possessed, these dolls came with eerie backstories. While likely staged, some buyers reported odd occurrences.
17. Miniature Guillotine Letter Opener
Wikimedia Commons
This was a tiny, functional guillotine for slicing open envelopes — clever, but also mildly disturbing. It’s perfect for dark humor fans or history buffs but not exactly HR-approved for office desks.