Crazy Victorian Novelties

I had a lucky find of a huge lot of old catalogs a year or two ago, and this week pulled some out to revisit the “treasures.”  Apparently, I had glazed over this one and not even opened the cover, so the contents were a complete surprise (or terror?) and I think are perfect to start the Halloween season.  My husband and I believe this catalog was from 1900, as that date was mentioned in a few advertising descriptions.  I’m posting some individual ads here, as many were not in the best of taste and quite socially unacceptable today, but a few might sneak in that aren’t quite as p.c. as today dictates.  So, were those really the good old days?  If these were today some of these gadgets would most likely end in lawsuits!  Make sure you read the descriptions.

1) As opposed to this.  Mmm… Asbestos.  This one was so important it got a separate larger leaflet inside tucked inside the catalog.

2-  Frighten the tramp or burglar!  Or your wife and children… seriously, who thought this was a good idea?

3- And you thought these were styled after Groucho Marx.

4- The mustache marketing craze was SO 1900.

7 Comments on Crazy Victorian Novelties

  1. Erin
    October 12, 2011 at 1:27 am (12 years ago)

    I love these. So much.

  2. widophotoart
    October 12, 2011 at 1:29 am (12 years ago)

    Bahahaha! These are great! Love the asbestos pipe, it’s healthy and pleasant. :)

  3. americanduchess
    October 12, 2011 at 2:09 am (12 years ago)

    I NEED a false moustache. NEED.

  4. Emma
    October 12, 2011 at 5:42 am (12 years ago)

    Asbestos and healthy in the same sentence? Whaaaaat

  5. Marie
    October 12, 2011 at 10:18 am (12 years ago)

    Oh my goodness, these are just brilliant! How scary is the asbestos one!!??!!

  6. Miss Meadows
    October 12, 2011 at 10:29 am (12 years ago)

    I love these old ads! Through today’s eyes they all seem like jokes. I wonder what people in the future will think when they look at the ads of today?…I have been planing to do a post on funny ads on my blog this week, but there you will be able to see some of the “horrible” ones you refrained from showing here… :) I have shown some funny ads in the past too. If you’re interested they’re here: http://missmeadowsvintagepearls.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-funny-ads.html

  7. SusieQT
    October 12, 2011 at 7:24 pm (12 years ago)

    I wonder if any of those things still exist in someone’s attic or basement? Wouldn’t that be interesting to see today? (That’s the museum curator in me coming out…;)

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