"They range from publishers, financial services, catalogue companies, law firms and insurance agencies."

Schaefer was discovered by a child photographer, who worked for major European catalogue companies.

Seed packets can be purchased from any of the major catalogue companies.

For catalogue companies, there has been no postage increase since 1991.

But the bleak economy and rising costs have caught up with many catalogue companies.

Most catalogue companies do not charge sales tax to customers who live outside the state or states where the company has offices.

By contrast, the catalogue companies are using their special strengths to survive.

Also, many catalogue companies were able to send out more books this year, as paper prices fell.

Some of the participating catalogue companies said they saw a new opportunity in the disk.

But no catalogue company has continued the practice for long.