We generally think of La Belle Assemblee, the regency-era magazine, in regard to its fashion plates. It also carred many articles about leading personalities, world events and history, interesting occurances, and as below, some fascinating advertisements in a special section. Here are some excerpts (pictures added by this blogger);
BELL’S MONTHLY COMPENDIUM OF ADVERTISEMENTS FOR DECEMBER, 1816
THE PANTHEON FAMILY LINEN WARE HOUSE
Pantheon, London, 1816
T. Craig begs to solicit the Nobility and Families to inspect his STOCK OF LINEN DRAPERY WHICH (without using the words “Bankrupt Stock,” – Bought for Cash !! –“ “Selling off” – “Irish Linen Company,” etc. words which are too well know to deserve any thing but contempt) will be sold at the following prices, and let the world judge for themselves:–
Irish Linen very stout …………………………………………. 1 0
Ditto Superfine ………………………………………………. 2 6
One hundred elegant Cobourg Striped Dresses, each …… 5 6
Union Cambrics (ten Handkerchiefs each piece)……………… 9 6
India Nankeens, seven yards long (the Company’s best), per piece 7 6
Merino Twilled Stuffs …………………………………………. 1 6
Observe!! It is sometimes necessary for Ladies to bring the Advertisement with them; it will be a guide for themselves, and will at all times shew whether the Advertisement is genuine or fictitious.
78, Oxford street, near the Pantheon
THE VERDIGONIAN ODORIFEROUS AND ABSTERSIVE TOOTH PASTE
Price 2s. 9d. and 7s. per pot,
Communicates the most refined and delicate fragrance to the breath, renders the teeth beautifully white, fastens those which are loose, and preserves them from decay to the latest period of life. It is peculiarly adapted to use of Children; and employed by the fair sex in particular, it will fully accomplish the description of the poet,–
“Her breath was sweeter than the morning gale,
“Stoln from the rose of violet’s dewy leaves,
“Her ivory teeth appeared in even rows,
“Thro’ lips of living coral.”
Tooth brushes for using the Tooth Paste, 4s. 6d. per Set.
(Verdigonian: after Monsieur Verdigon whose “Celebrated Medicines are approved and recommended by all the Medical Halls in Europe”; Odoriferous: bears or diffuses scent; Abstersive: having the quality of cleansing or purging)
TREBLE DISTILLED LAVENDER WATER
Under the August Patronage of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent; their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, Sophia, and Mary; her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess of Russia; Princes of Wirtemberg; their Graces the Duchesses of Devonshire and Wellington; his Grace the Duke of Marlborough; the Right Hon. the Countesses of Waldegrave, Darnley, and Liverpool; the Right Hon. Viscountess Powerscourt; Lady E. Bentinck; the Baroness de Montesquieu; the Hon. Mrs. Hope; The Hon. Mrs. Stapleton; Ladies Hatton, Bourne and Ball; and by the Nobility and Gentry in general.
Manufactured by HENRY CHRISTIAN, Chemist, &c., Canterbury, the only and sole inventor (and with whom no other person is connected), of whom it may be had wholesale, retail, and for exportation; also in London of Mr. Johnston, 15, Mr. Berry, 17, Greek-street, Soho; Overton , 51, and Gattie and Pierce, 57, New Bond-street; Newbery and Sons, 45, and Prosser and Co., 20, St. Paul’s Churchyard, Barclay and Sons, 95, Fleet-market; Leuchars, Haymarket; Wass, 12, Cheapside; and of all the respectable Perfumers, Stationers, &c., in Great Britain and Ireland.
TO THE FEMALE SEX
The weak corporeal frame of the female sex, and the extreme sensibility of their minds, expose them to a variety of diseases, which require the assistance of an experienced
practitioner; while, on the other hand, the modest and engaging delicacy of the British Ladies renders them, in general, averse to exposing their more private ailments to the cognizance of the usual medial attendant on their families.
To avoid this frequently unpleasant circumstance, the Ladies are assured that Dr. FISHER may be consulted by them, with the utmost confidence in his integrity, and in his long experience in female complaints of every kind, whether arising from natural weakness of constitution, from brooding over the unhappiness of life, from the unfortunate results of error of fashionable gaiety, or from any accidental cause; and in other cases, where, although health is enjoyed, yet the parties feel a certain addition wanting to their happiness, this defect may almost always be removed by persevering in his mode of treatment.
Dr. FISHER is at home from ten till two, and from seven till nine every day (Sundays excepted), but in many cases a letter detailing the symptoms, and inclosing a remittance for advice and medicine, will render personal communication unnecessary, and the remedies will be forward by any conveyance that is pointed out, so that the utmost degree of secrecy may be preserved.
N. 27, Cross-street, Hatton-Garden
END OF ADVERTISEMENTS
I am not so sure I want to share my secrets with Dr. Fisher — how about you????
I'm still trying to wrap my head around toothpaste that tightens loose teeth! What exactly is in it?
And the good doctor will have to carry on without knowing my secrets! Fascinating, ladies!