Self-Instructor in the Art of Hair Work Part 18

Hair is shipped in both a prepared and unprepared state. That which is prepared undergoes a process of washing, scouring and cleansing, which leaves it in the nicest possible state; all the oil, dirt and other unhealthy substances are completely separated from it, leaving it perfectly free from all unhealthy influences. That which is shipped in an unprepared, or raw state, is subjected to the same process of cleansing after its arrival, and it is so thorough that it is altogether impossible for anything except the hair to remain. It has frequently been examined with a microscope, which has proved in every case how successful the cleansing process had been, for it revealed nothing whatever of a foreign nature, and, in fact, after its extraordinary cleaning it would be simply impossible.

After being fully prepared it is then made into switches, curls, plaits, fronts, wigs, chignons, and not a small amount is used in the manufacture of hair jewelry, and such other articles as are worn for ornaments. The jewelry manufactured at this time is as durable as the all gold jewelry, and is done in a style of surpa.s.sing neatness, thus rendering it beautiful, either as an ornament or memento. There are but very few places in the United States where hair jewelry is made, and as it is comparatively a new business, but few have learned it. It is surprising, however, to notice the many beautiful patterns and elegant designs into which it is transformed. There is nothing in the way of jewelry or ornament of any description but what is or may be made from human hair; and, after being gold-mounted, the contrast between them makes the hair jewelry preferable to the all gold.

There are many strange incidents related of the human hair suddenly changing its color--many of which it is hard to believe--and the causes a.s.signed are various. We are told of persons who, from excessive grief, found their hair had gradually changed from a dark brown to an almost perfect white; others, from the same cause, in the short s.p.a.ce of one week discovered their hair plentifully streaked with grey, giving them the appearance, although young, of being quite old. Many have had their hair change on account of extreme fright, but we have now to give the first instance we have ever heard of its turning from white to that of any other color, except by the aid of dyes.

A Parisian, M. Stanislaus Martin, has published in the _Bulletin de Therapeutique_ the curious case of a worker in metals who had wrought in copper only five months, and whose hair, which was lately white, is now of so decided a _green_ that the man cannot appear in the street without immediately becoming the object of general curiosity. He is perfectly well, his hair alone being affected by the copper, notwithstanding the precautions taken by him to protect it from the action of the metal.

Chemical a.n.a.lysis shows that his hair contains a notable quant.i.ty of acetate of copper, and that it is to this circ.u.mstance that it owes its beautiful green color, which is most singular and remarkable.

The practice of wearing false hair, although it was not generally dealt in as traffic, has been in vogue many hundred years. The Greek and Roman ladies were, in olden times, as active in their toilet for the head as the fashionable ladies of the present day, and false hair was always brought into requisition, which was then obtained from the Germans, and they in turn from their slaves.

Powdering the hair, which is now the rage in all fashionable circles, is also an ancient practice, and was as much indulged in by the men as the women. History tells us that the consumption of hair powder by the soldiers of George II was enormous. It was calculated, that inasmuch as the military force of England and the colonies was, including cavalry, infantry, militia and fensibles, 250,000, each man used a pound of flour a week, simply for powdering their hair. The quant.i.ty consumed in this way was 6,500 tons per annum; an amount sufficient to sustain 30,000 persons on bread. Gold and silver hair powder was also plentifully used, and at a time much earlier in the world's history, than is generally supposed. Josephus relates that Solomon's horse-guards daily strewed their heads with gold-dust, which glittered in the sun; and there are similar instances of different personages recorded in the bible.

The human hair seems to have been given us both for an ornament and covering--being susceptible of transformation in almost any desired shape, and apparently indispensable for covering and protecting the head. The ancient Greeks were very partial to long hair, considering it by far the more becoming; but the Egyptians regarded it as an inc.u.mbrance, shaved their heads, and subst.i.tuted wigs. The ancients, generally speaking, strangely considered a fine head of hair so desirable, that it became sacred. They frequently dedicated it to the G.o.ds, on important occasions of marriage, victory, escape from death and danger, and the burial of friends. Different styles of wearing the hair, was resorted to for denoting the various grades, or positions in life, of the people, some wearing it quite long, others short, and some dressing it in a peculiar manner,--each style, or length, being according to the condition, wealth, or social standing of the wearer.

Plucking it out, or neglecting it, was a token of affliction.

Hair contains a very small quant.i.ty of water, manganese, iron, and various salts of lime, which have been found by the various methods of a.n.a.lyzation, and it is owing to these properties that it is peculiarly indestructible. It has been found on mummies, more than twenty centuries old, in a perfect and unaltered state, and many instances are related, which are now admitted to be facts, of the hair continuing to grow, for a time, after death.

There has never before been a book written and published, that was particularly dedicated to the subject of Hair, and as the field is a vast one, both as regards the importance of the subject, and the information to be gained thereby, it is simply strange that no one has ever entered it. It has been too long neglected, and the increasing necessity for a treatise of this kind, has been pressed upon the attention of the author, and induced the publication of this work, which will certainly meet the necessities of the age.

There is much else that might be said on this subject that would prove both interesting and instructive, but we prefer for the present to let it rest. We have endeavored in preparing this book both to instruct and amuse; for, by following its instructions, it may be made to be profitable and highly remunerative, and in making articles, either for gifts, mementoes, or otherwise, it will certainly be amusing and entertaining. We have given the instructions in a way that all may readily understand, and as the patterns are numerous, and the designs elegant, we think there can be nothing lacking to make the book all it claims to be.

The princ.i.p.al offices for the sale of these books, will be at my establishments, No. 737 Broadway, New York, and No. 81 South Clark Street, Chicago.

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RETAIL DEPARTMENT.

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In placing before the trade my list of Hair Jewelry and Hair Goods, I beg sincerely to thank my customers for the increasing support I have received from them, and let them be a.s.sured I shall do all on my part to merit a continuance of the same. The following is a list of some of the leading articles I import, manufacture and sell, at wholesale and retail, and at prices less than can be found in any other House on this continent. I import

HUMAN HAIR OF THE FINEST QUALITY!

of every length and shade, prepared and unprepared, _which I furnish the trade at low prices_:

_Hair Jewelry, Gold Mountings for Hair Jewelry, Gent's Wigs and Toupees, Ladies' Wigs, Switches, Braids, Curls, Waterfalls, Frizettes, Coils, Bows, Fronts, Scratches, Bands, Hair-Nets, Ornamental Hair, Partings, Whiskers, Beards, Mustaches, Puffs, Curling-Irons, Curling-Sticks, Crimping-Irons, Perfumery, Pomades and Creams, Soaps, Hair Brushes, Combs, Hair Oils, Cosmetiques, Crimping-Pins._

"CHREVOLION," FOR THE HAIR!

For restoring the growth and natural color of the hair, and beautifying the complexion.

FACE POWDERS, ROUGES AND FRENCH ENAMEL.

HAIR POWDERS-- DIAMOND POWDER, GOLD POWDER, SILVER POWDER.

Wig Material, and Tools of Every Description!

In conclusion, I again renew my thanks to my customers, and trust, by the best attention to all orders, to give them increased satisfaction, as well as to merit the support of any portion of the trade who have not heretofore favored me with their commands. All orders sent by mail, accompanied by a Post Office Certificate, will be promptly filled and a safe return guaranteed.

WIG MANUFACTORY.

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WIGS! TOUPEES! SWITCHES! CURLS!

The great success I have met with, and the rapidly increasing demand for Goods of my manufacture, is owing mainly to the superior quality of hair which I import exclusively for my trade, and the superior workmanship in their manufacture.

_WIGS! WIGS! WIGS! WIGS!_

I have the largest a.s.sortment of Wigs in the United States, and manufacture to order any and every style.

GENT'S WIGS AND TOUPEES,

ventilated on Human Hair gauze or silk seams. Weft Wigs and Toupees, with or without seams, of straight or natural curly hair.

LADIES' WIGS,

short or long glossy hair, straight, natural curly or frizzed. Also Fronts and Bandoes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Directions for Measuring the Head for a Wig.

No. 1--The circ.u.mference of the Head.

No. 2--From Forehead to Nape.

No. 3--From Ear to Ear, across the Forehead.

No. 4--From Ear to Ear, over the top of the Head.

No. 5--From Temple to Temple, round back of the Head.]

To measure for Toupee or Scratch, cut a piece of paper the exact size and shape of bald spot. Send your orders according to the above directions, and we will warrant a fit.

I OFFER TO THE PUBLIC THE LARGEST a.s.sORTMENT