American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

9 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. poster printed in red, blue, and brown (approx. 1 1/2 in. tear extending down from top edge down, otherwise minor chips and punctures, toning to edges). Atlanta, GA: Hy-Beaute Chemical Co., n.d.

Advertises three products for "falling hair and itching scalp," including "Special Double Strength Hair Dressing," "Slik-Down Pomade," and "Smokeless Pressing Oil." Hy-Beaute advertised in the Black press from 1946-1958, and this example is similar to ads distributed by the company during the early 1950s.

[With:] 96 colorfully printed labels for products from Valmor Products Company and its subsidiaries, Lucky Brown, Madam Jones, and Famous Products, many featuring illustrations of African American models. Chicago, IL, ca 1930s-1940s (overall good, unused condition, with a few creases or spots of surface wear or discoloration to some labels). Products include Lucky Mojo Jockey Club Toilet Water, Kiss Me Again Mouth Wash, White Rose Cold Cream, Tress-O-Klean (for cleaning "hair attachments"), Pressing Oil, Hot Oil Shampoo Treatment, Hair Dressing Pomade, Lemon Fragrance Vanishing Cream ("Cream will disappear leaving skin brighter in appearance"), Peachy Brown Foundation Cream, Lightning Fast Quick Brightener Cream ("Brightens Appearance of Skin"), Special Black Pressing Compound ("For Use with Hot Comb or Pincers"), No Kink Hair Dressing, Pearly White Tooth Powder, and others. -- 3 5/8 x 5 5/8 in. price list booklet for Valmor and Sweet Georgia Brown Products. -- 6 1/2 x 3 5/8 in. printed envelope for Lucky Lure Solid Perfume.

The Chicago-based Valmor Company, begun in 1926, often targeted African American consumers with its products, and employed local African Americans as warehouse workers, salesmen, and even artists Charles Clarence Dawson and Jay Paul Jackson to create ads and labels for packaging. Valmor was purchased by New York's R.H. Cosmetic Corporation in 1985.