L.L. Bean Offers Travel Catalog

L.L. Bean has jumped into the travel-catalog arena with the L.L. Bean Traveler, 64 pages of new merchandise and classic offerings. A $58 shoulder bag in waxed cotton, manufactured in Maine of a fabric made chic by the British Barbour jackets, is new in this catalog, as is a $12 travel wallet to be worn around the neck or looped onto a belt. Contact L.L. Bean, Casco Street, Freeport, ME 04033; (800) 809-7057.

Bean’s catalog joins a field that has been dominated by Magellan’s and Travelsmith, both published in California. Travelsmith’s 72-page spring catalog has everything from travel blazers at $159 to rayon Aloha shirts at $59.50. The emphasis is on clothes for long trips when ironing may not be feasible. Travelsmith, 60 Leveroni Court, Novato, CA 94949; (800) 950-1600.

Magellan’s 52-page winter-spring issue has many gadgets, from coffeemakers and picnic implements to a folding wheelchair that weighs 23 pounds and costs $895. The new issue has a one-page insert with information about voltages and socket shapes in 200 countries, with cross-references to the catalog’s adapter plugs and telephone jacks. Magellan’s, 110 West Sola Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; (800) 962-4943.