Eatonians

Over its 130-year history, Eaton’s became part of the social fabric of Canada and played a major role in the lives of many Canadians. If its customers were saddened by its demise, some of its employees – in many cases men and women who had spent their entire working lives at the store – were devastated. In this book, Patricia Phenix sets out to tell the story of the Loyal Eatonians – “the family behind the Family” – who helped make the store what it was, and often continue to gather today across the country.

In this lively look at a Canadian institution and its proud employees, Phenix describes the lives of staff members through the years, from Timothy Eaton’s day on. She writes about the yearly Santa Claus parades, the importance of the Eaton’s catalogue in Canada, and the role Eaton’s staff members played in the First and Second world wars. She describes the glamour of the Eaton’s restaurants, the cultural influence of the Eaton Auditorium, and the fun of Eaton’s-sponsored fashion shows and celebrity appearances. She talks about the Eaton’s buyers, travelling the world in search of new merchandise, and she deals with the ultimately unsuccessful attempt to unionize the store. Finally she looks at the slow decline of the Eaton’s stores in the face of growing suburban malls and increased customer mobility.

By turns fascinating, hilarious, and poignant, full of the voices and personalities of Eaton’s employees, and illustrated throughout with pictures of Eatonians at work and play, this book is sure to bring back memories for former employees or for anyone who grew up with Timothy Eaton’s store.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs