This may well be an advertisement for wigs, but I sense that it is something even more mysterious. The hair is definitely invisible in this ad. But the heads are clearly visible, though well ventilated. So this was all rather mysterious.
Luckily, I found a second, more detailed ad James Barber's The Overland Guide Book (1850). The manufacturers, Ross and Sons, seem to have called their line of hair dyes and hair preparations "The Invisible Ventilating Heads of Hair" - and the illustration is supposed to show how Ross and Sons will measure your head.
They also sold Botanic Water, Bears' Grease, Tooth-Picks and Tooth Brushes, and shaving supplies at their shop at 119-120 Bishopsgate Street, London. Which doesn't clarify much. Although these advertisements must have got people's attention, which is something.
From the New York Public Library Digital Gallery; the longer ad is from Google Books, where you can read the text of the ad if you are so inclined.
10 comments:
Let me get this straight, they are going to shave your head so they can accurately measure it to then sell you hair care products? *confused*
I am confused too? Is it just the photo that shows no hair, in showing how they will measure your head?
I hope so!
Kat
Candles, Crafts and Whatnot
Not a very scientific method for measuring head size...
lol@ Hairball's comment
Hairball - Very confusing! I don't think, after reading the whole ad, that they had ANY IDEA of what they actually meant.
Kat - I have a feeling that this confusion did not add to their success as a business!
Eric - I agree! It's kind of fun though. To look at, not to experience.
Maybe they grew just a few hairs very long and measured so they so they knew how long to make them for the ever-popular comb over hairdo. www.satisfiedsole.com
I swear you put up the coolest things.
Pam - It's hard to say what they really did, isn't it! lol
Miranda - Thank you, that is so nice of you! I am sort of wondering what to do with VDM and whether I should keep it up...and that's nice to hear that :)
hi... just dropping by!
http://www.fileafro.com
http://mobileandetc.blogspot.com
When punk rock resurges, I'm going to come to your site to find a good name for my band.
Bill - You are right, that's a perfect name. Also they can get some fashion tips from this ad, because they sure won't look like anyone else - which is key!
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