A catalogue page may place one illustration beside several product descriptions. It is tempting to assign the image to whichever model interests us, but the page may use it more generally. Read the layout and references before making that connection.
Follow the page’s own pointers
Look for figure numbers, captions, model codes, or phrases such as “as illustrated.” Record which text is explicitly connected to the image and which merely appears nearby. If the relationship is unclear, keep it unclear in your notes.
Compare the listed features with what the illustration actually shows. A simplified image may omit small differences. Do not treat an omitted detail as proof that a product lacked it unless the evidence supports that conclusion.
Preserve the whole-page context
When saving a reference, retain the page number and enough surrounding material to reconstruct the layout. A cropped image separated from its caption can become misleading when reused later.
The result should identify the strongest supported claim: an illustration on a dated catalogue page, perhaps explicitly linked to a model. That is already useful evidence. It does not need to become a photograph of every version offered or proof that each advertised configuration was produced exactly as drawn.