An unusual gift idea for your parents for Christmas 1813
I was amused when I found this advertisement entitled "Christmas presents" in the January 1814 issue of Ackermann’s Repository:
Christmas approaching, every absent child feels anxious to receive the customary favours of their indulgent Parents. During this inclement, but auspicious season, what could be more acceptable than a pair of MARSTON’S PATENT STAYS or CORSETS, which are admirably well calculated to improve the shape, and comfort and support the weak and debilitated; and which are selling at the OLD PRICES, notwithstanding the exorbitant charge for materials: warranted to be manufactured by the first hands in the business and in the most elegant and fashionable style, full TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT under the regular trade price.
– 25, HOLYWELL-STREET, STRAND.
The advert suggests that, whether your parents are “weak and debilitated” or “elegant and fashionable”, “a pair of Marston’s patent stays or corsets” would be a most acceptable gift! What an unusual idea for a Christmas present for your parents!
Note
I assume that the January 1814 issue must have been available in December or otherwise that the advertisement was submitted late.
Sources used:
Ackermann, Rudolph, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics (1814)
Some of the words are quite difficult to decipher, but I think that it reads like this:
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
Christmas approaching, every absent child feels anxious to receive the customary favours of their indulgent Parents. During this inclement, but auspicious season, what could be more acceptable than a pair of MARSTON’S PATENT STAYS or CORSETS, which are admirably well calculated to improve the shape, and comfort and support the weak and debilitated; and which are selling at the OLD PRICES, notwithstanding the exorbitant charge for materials: warranted to be manufactured by the first hands in the business and in the most elegant and fashionable style, full TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT under the regular trade price.
Genteel rooms for Ladies to try on.
Country Orders executed with integrity and dispatch on the most liberal terms– 25, HOLYWELL-STREET, STRAND.
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The advert suggests that, whether your parents are “weak and debilitated” or “elegant and fashionable”, “a pair of Marston’s patent stays or corsets” would be a most acceptable gift! What an unusual idea for a Christmas present for your parents!
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| Front cover of Ackermann's Repository (Jan 1814) |
I assume that the January 1814 issue must have been available in December or otherwise that the advertisement was submitted late.
Sources used:
Ackermann, Rudolph, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics (1814)
