About the author
C. L. Miller writes on the material culture of death and home-delivery commerce in twentieth-century America. Postmortem Collectibles (Schiffer Publishing, 2001) surveys objects connected to funerary and postmortem practices, presented as a collector's reference rather than a morbid curiosity, tracing how attitudes toward death are reflected in the items people kept. Door-to-Door Collectibles: Salves, Lotions, Pills, and Potions from W.T. Rawleigh turns to a different but related subject, cataloguing the packaging, advertising and products of the Rawleigh home-delivery company with hundreds of photographs. Both books are illustrated reference guides aimed at collectors and dealers rather than general readers, valuing historical documentation and identification over narrative or analysis. They suit readers building a collection in postmortem memorabilia or early American mail-order advertising, or researchers interested in the material history of American domestic commerce.
📖 Where to start with C L Miller
💬 What our editors say about C L Miller's books
“Miller’s seminal work stands out for its respectful and visually rich chronicle of humanity's relationship with mortality. It successfully reframes death-related artifacts not as grim relics, but as meaningful expressions of love…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Postmortem Collectibles Miller, C L
“While meticulously detailed for its niche audience, this volume may disappoint general occult readers seeking esoteric knowledge or magical theory. It is strictly a commercial history and collector’s guide, lacking the mystical…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Door-To-Door Collectibles: Salves, Lotions, Pills, & Potions from W.T. Rawleigh Miller, C L
