Oddities Shopping

Thick Eggs in a Can
(Updated on February 25, 2013)

I found the following advertisement in the October 18, 1877 issue of the China Mail.

Condensed Eggs

This new article, recently placed upon the market consists simply of fresh-laid hens' eggs, from which most of the water has been evaporated, and being hermetically sealed, remains perfectly sound.

The eggs thus condensed are obtained in the Empire of China, and canned in the immediate vicinity in which they are produced, thereby avoiding the deterioration to which eggs are subject when transported in the shell. So that, in point of fact, the condensed eggs preserved under the patent of A.R. Davis, furnish to the consumer, eggs possessing more perfectly the properties of fresh-laid eggs than those ordinarily supplied to any city.

The condensed eggs will beat up into light froth as readily as eggs taken immediately from the shell, and are equally valuable in making cakes, custards, creams, pastry, puddings, eggnog, etc.

Economy

For hotels, and restaurants, or for families, or vessels at sea, this article is invaluable, as there is no loss from breakage or decay, and a tin will keep for any length of time after opening, being sealed only for transportation.

One table-spoonful is equal to one egg. Add equal amount of water (warm is preferable); dissolve it well; then use same as any egg.
Lammert, Atkinson & Co., Agents for Hong Kong
Mustard & Co., General Agents at Shanghai

What an ingenious idea! I wonder why canned condensed eggs are not available today.

References:
- The China Mail, Hong Kong: October 18, 1877


Magic Shampoo from The Philippines
(Updated on February 25, 2013)

The W.P. Moore Hairdressing Saloon at the Hongkong Hotel placed the following advertisement in the Hongkong Telegraph on June 16, 1881.

Mr. Moore begs to recommend his Gogo Shampoo Wash to the public as unrivalled by any preparation ever produced for promoting the growth of the hair. The basic of this compound is made of soap root; the natives of the Philippine Islands never use anything else for washing their hair; they are never found bald, and it is quite common to see the females with hair from 5 to 6 feet long. By constantly using this Shampoo Wash as directed, you will never be bald. The proprietor offers the Wash to the public entirely confident that by its restorative properties it will without fail arrest decaying hair. It completely eradicates scurf, dandruff, and cures all diseases of the scalp. It does not contain any poisonous drugs. By its cooling properties it allays the itching and fever of the scalp, which is the great cause of people losing their hair.

Mr. Moore has succeeded in being able to put this wash up in bottles without allowing it to ferment, and he will guarantee it to keep any length of time in any climate.

I've just checked the shampoo I am using and was quite let down to find that it contains no soap root from Luzon… not that I am bald or going to be, any time soon.

Mr. Moore was called as a witness to testify in the Smith and Bandmann Libel Case. Read the story: King of Libel Suits.

References:
- Hong Kong Telegraph, June 16, 1881