Tuesday 30 October 2012

Alex Ross's "Nose Machine"

I'm currently going through some very old Preston newspapers which were bought from a secondhand bookshop quite a few years ago and they are revealing startling insights into the 19th century, whilst also illustrating that human concerns with appearance and health never change - and that there will always be those who seek to take advantage of this.
From the Preston Chronicle, February 25th, 1882.
 
In case the worn type proves difficult to decipher:
"ALEX. ROSS'S NOSE MACHINE, applied to the Nose for an hour daily, so directs the soft cartilage of which the member consists that an ill-formed Nose is quickly shaped to perfection.  10s 6d; post free 10s 8d., secretly packed; pamphlet two stamps - 21, Lambs' Conduit-street, High Holborn, London.  Hair Curling Fluid, curls the straightest and most ungovernable hair, 3s. 6d.; sent for 54 stamps.  Alex. Ross's Ear Machine, to remedy outstanding ears, 10s. 6d. or stamps.  His great Hair Restorer, 3s. 3d.; it changes grey hair to its original colour very quickly, sent for 54 stamps.  Every speciality for the toilet supplied. Beware of imitations of Ross's articles.  As Chemists keep his articles see that you get his Hair Dye for either light or dark colours, 3s. 5d.; his Depilatory for removing Hair, and his Oil [???] for the growth of Whiskers."
 
I would love to know what the Nose and Ear machines looked like.

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