What the 1st American Ikea Catalog Looked Like in 1985

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  • susanna kim
Jun 12, 2015, 5:13 PM ET
PHOTO: Ikea celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first U.S. store, June 12, 2015.IKEA
 Ikea celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first U.S. store, June 12, 2015.

Thirty years ago today outside Philadelphia, the first Ikea store in the U.S. opened its doors, bringing Swedish meatballs and Billy bookcases to the American masses.

After the first store in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, the U.S. now represents 12 percent of the Swedish company's global business. There are 40 Ikea stores in the U.S. today employing 36,500 people, according to the company.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Ikea is offering a discount of up to 30 percent on 30 items to the company's loyal "Family" members this weekend, as well as giving fans a blast from the past by showing off its first U.S. catalog.

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PHOTO: Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday in the U.S., June 12, 2015. IKEA
Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday in the U.S., June 12, 2015.

There are four iconic Ikea products that are still available today, including the "BILLY bookcase, POÄNG chair, LACK table and KLIPPAN loveseat."

PHOTO: Ikeas BILLY bookcase is now $59.99. Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday in the U.S., June 12, 2015. IKEA
Ikea's "BILLY bookcase" is now $59.99. Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday in the U.S., June 12, 2015.

The 1985 prices are noticeably steeper, though it's not clear if the quality of materials have changed.

PHOTO: Ikeas KLIPPAN loveseat in a 1985 catalog. On June 12, 2015, on the companys 30th anniversary in the U.S., its $299. IKEA
Ikea's "KLIPPAN loveseat" in a 1985 catalog. On June 12, 2015, on the company's 30th anniversary in the U.S., it's $299.

The bookcase, for example, is 27 percent cheaper today at $59.99 compared to $82 then.

PHOTO: In Ikeas 1985 catalog, the LACK table description states: Lack tables come in all shapes, sizes and colours. But they all have one thing in common: An impossibly low price. On its 30th anniversary in the U.S., June 12, 2015, its $9.99. IKEA
In Ikea's 1985 catalog, the "LACK table" description states: "Lack tables come in all shapes, sizes and colours. But they all have one thing in common: An impossibly low price." On its 30th anniversary in the U.S., June 12, 2015, it's $9.99.
PHOTO: The POÄNG chair is now $69. Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday, June 12, 2015. IKEA
The "POÄNG chair" is now $69. Ikea celebrates its 30th birthday, June 12, 2015.