This is an original 1904 color print ad for Pears soap by A. & F. Pears Ltd. The soap was first produced in 1789 by Andrew Pears in London, England near Oxford Street. Unilever records say that Pears Soap was the world’s first registered brand and is the world’s oldest continuously existing brand.
CONDITION
This 107+ year old Item is rated Near Mint / Very Fine. Light aging throughout. No creases. No natural defects. Some light surface rub. No tears. Light water stain – left margin.
- Product Type: Original Print Ad; Color
- Grade: Near Mint / Very Fine
- Dimensions: Approximately 5.5 x 8.25 inches; 14 x 21 cm
- Authentication: Serial-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity w/ Full Provenance
- Protection: Packaged in a custom archival sleeve with an acid-free black board (great for display, gift-giving, and preservation)
Pears Soap. Pears soap was created by Andrew Pears of Mevagissey, Cornwall. Andrew moved to London to become a barber and after completing barber school he opened his own barberÕs shop on Gerrard Street in Soho. He began experimenting and creating his own cosmetic products. He noticed many of his customers having damage to their faces by the harsh soaps of the 1700s, which contained arsenic and lead. He began experimenting with the purification of soap and produced a much gentler soap with a glycerine base. This soap had a transparent appearance, which had its marketing advantages.
Francis Pears, AndrewÕs grandson, joined the business in 1835, which started A. & F. Pears Ltd. The Great Exhibition of 1851 awarded the company the prize medal for soap. Thomas J. Barratt, FrancisÕ son-in-law, was known as the father of modern advertising joined the family business in 1862.
In 1910 A. & F. Pears Ltd. moved to Port Sunlight, England after becoming part of Lever Brothers. Today Hindustan Lever, a company Unilever owns over half of, produces Pears soap.
Fun Fact: Pears Soap is the worldÕs oldest continuously existing brand according to Unilever records and the worldÕs first registered brand.
Copyright 2016, Period Paper LLC
Keywords specific to this image: Vintage Advertising
TOM3A8B6C04
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