Victorian Commercials (Advertisements) Quiz

Answer: A straw hat covering all the head except the face.

A bonnet was a kind of hat that was pulled round most of the head, leaving only the face open. A Tuscan bonnet was made of straw, and might be decorated for effect on social occasions. There is a famous poem by Elizabeth Cavazza Pullen called 'Alicia's Bonnet' that contains the often repeated couplet "Last night Alicia wore a Tuscan bonnet, And many humming-birds were fastened on it." Apparently they were real - but dead - birds, and the gist of the poem was regretting the fact that they had to be slain to create beauty. Colchester Museum has a costume department that recently reported "We are also able to reveal three recently conserved bonnets including a Quaker bonnet and an intricate Tuscan straw bonnet."

Answer: Stockings, socks, etc.

Also called "legwear", hosiery comprises any item worn directly on the feet or legs. This would include stockings, socks; panty-hose had not yet been invented. In medieval times a doublet and hose was traditional wear for men, the doublet being a close fitting jacket, while hose was a bit like panty-hose, but for men and no doubt in stouter material.

Answer: Burn it

This was a company that dealt in coal, which was available in various kinds, suited for a variety of purposes. Newbury Steam coal was obviously good for the kind of ovens used by bakers. etc, although the name suggests it was also suited for steam engines.

Answer: Keyboard

A harmonium was an instrument also called a pump-organ, that was much smaller than a traditional organ, and for that reason often used in churches that could not afford the real thing. It was set in a frame similar to an upright piano, and it had a keyboard like a piano's. Sound was produced by air flowing over metal reeds, the air being supplied by bellows worked by pedals at the player's feet. The advertiser Mr G Hammond was a Professor of the Harp and Pianoforte, and was also Pianoforte Tuner to Her Majesty and HRH The late Duchess of Kent. (Who? You remember, she was the mother of Queen Victoria, who must have died shortly before the publication of this Directory.)

Answer: Chronometers

Southampton being a port, there were several shops that sold chronometers, whose accurate timekeeping was essential for precise navigation. The explanation of the transit method is beyond me, but this extract shows how important it is: "At Greenwich, time determinations were made from observations of the Sun until Edmond Halley obtained the Observatory's first transit telescope in 1721.

After that date, all time determinations were made from observations of the stars."

Answer: One penny

Actually a price of one penny was perhaps not particularly cheap. The advert claims "Advertisers secure all the advantages of a First-class and widely-circulating Journal." Sixpence would have been outrageously expensive, while giving it away would not be feasible in those days.

Answer: Make cold frames, etc.

Buchan's were dealers in all kinds of glass, and Hartley's Rough Plate was a type used for making greenhouses and cold frames. The business also offered this service: "Looking glasses re-silvered."

Answer: Porter

Perhaps this is a bit of a trick question, because as we all know, Guinness, which has been brewed since 1725, is generally referred to as a kind of 'dry Irish stout'. This was not what it was called in the advertisement here though, sorry!
The advertisement also said: "To Guarantee the genuineness of their Porter (as far as possible) Messrs. Guinness & Co. have issued to those Agents only who bottle no Porter but theirs, a Bottle Label, with their trade mark. These labels are used by Mr Wakeford."

Answer: Consume it

Iceland Moss is actually a lichen that happens to look like moss. It was known from ancient times to have therapeutic properties, and was used to treat many conditions, but mainly digestive and pulmonary problems. It was usually sold dried, and would be used as an additive in soup, bread and porridge. You can still get it today.

Answer: Castor Oil

Something aperitive (or sometimes apertive) acts as a laxative. Just what kind of seeds were involved is not stated, but whatever they were they probably tasted better than castor oil. The advert goes on..."Recommended as a safe Family Medicine, particularly suited to Ladies in delicate circumstances". How discreet they were in those days!

Answer: Two hours

2¼ to 4¼. These were ways of saying two and a quarter hours, and four and a quarter hours, indicating clock times rather than durations. So these classes started at a quarter past two and finished at a quarter past four. They lasted from 2.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m., or 1415 to 1615 hours if you are militarily minded.

Answer: £2. 12s. 6d.

A guinea was one pound and one shilling (or 21 shillings). Half a guinea was 10s 6d. Thus two and a half guineas was £2 2s plus 10s 6d, making £2 12s 6d.
£2 10s was two and a half pounds, not guineas. The last guinea coin was struck in 1813.
The odd thing about these charges, if indeed a quarter consisted of a 13 week period, is that the last or 13th lesson would cost you 10s 6d, while the average cost of a lesson if you went for the 12 offer, was only 3s 6d.

Answer: Fast conveyances

A fly was literally a horse-drawn vehicle that moved quickly. A fly available from a hotel was the equivalent of todays rented car, and was similarly available in several sizes. The name was also used for a bigger vehicle that moved faster than usual, such as a delivery wagon. From a livery stable such as Matcham's it would most likely be a light, covered, single horse vehicle.

Answer: A photograph

From the advertisement: "Photography having lately made such rapid advances as to be considered a most important branch of the Arts, Mr Sharpe has erected a commodious Glass House for the purpose of taking PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS, on paper, by the Collodion process."

Answer: Coughs and similar complaints

From the references quoted, these wafers would cure anything; asthma, consumption, colds, coughs, hoarseness, if fact anything to do with the chest and lungs. The official medical journal 'The Lancet' of 27 Oct 1860 contained a letter from a doctor reporting a case of a young boy who had eaten a whole packet of these wafers (or lozenges).

The doctor concluded that he was suffering from severe narcotic poisoning; thankfully the boy recovered, but the writer was concerned that this danger was not warned about on the packaging. Also, why was this quack medicine associated with the name of a medical practitioner (Dr Locock)?