Radio Shack, a division of Tandy Corporation, is America's favorite and most trusted store for electronic parts and accessories, telecommunications products and services, direct-to-home satellite systems and repair service for most major brands of consumer electronics.

Radio Shack began in 1921 as a Boston-based mail-order company catering to ham operators and electronics buffs. It issued its first catalog in 1940 and began marketing its products under the Realistic private label in 1954.

Note that Tandy's web page is in error by one year about the date of the first catalog. The catalog is dated 1939 although it is possible it was not distributed until 1940.

This is the introduction page which shows it is indeed the first Radio Shack catalog. It says:

THE RADIO SHACK
CORPORATION
FORTY-SIX BRATTLE STREET. BOSTON
Telephone CAPitol 7631          Distributors RADIO AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMIENT

We here at the Radio Shack want to take this opportunity, to say "hello'' at one time to all who receive this
first Radio Shack catalog, and to thank the many thousands of customers who, in the past seventeen years, have made our establishment the headquarters for their radio supplies.

This catalog is intended to serve as a comprehensive and accurate listing of what we believe to be the essential and unusual requirements of the 'radio amateur, the serviceman, laboratories, industries and schools.  In the field of electronics we have had the pleasure of coming into contact with and serving in the capacity of supplier to, the largest of laboratories and schools where intensive research has been and is now being carried on.  This has gained for us a wide understanding of the many problems in the field of radio physics and other branches of radio science; besides which, in order to render efficient service to accounts of this character, it has been necessary to build up a reservoir of information which has proved invaluable.  We are happy to offer this same service and information to you.

In the way of service, it is policy for any house--large or small, old or new--to strive to be efficient and to handle the demands of its customers as promptly as possible.  To boast of our service in any respect would be so much useless verbiage, service having been the feature of our growth.
With this catalog, we have evolved a very careful stocking system which, in itself, should take care of sending your -order baek to you the same day it is received.
So far as specials are concerned, here and there, scattered throughout the book, will be found items of unusual value with no compromise in quality, made possible through careful planning and large purchases.
To be of service to our amateur friends, a staff of trained men--all I 'hams' '-are in constant attendance and they, at all times, will be happy to go over amateur problems . These same men will correspond with you through the mail when necessary.
A cordial invitation is extended to all amateurs and experimenters --in fact, the door is open at all times to everyone--and we will be happy to have you spend as much time as you have at your disposal with us, in an atmosphere of complete friendliness.  Many years ago we painted the word ''welcome" on the doormat, and our establishment has been a meeting place ever since.  That is how it is to be kept.  The latch string to always out.
Cordially yours,
THE RADIO SHACK Corporation