Phone: (719) 225-5357 E-mail: don@fadely.com |
| Oldridge's Balm of Columbia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| John Oldridge invented the Balm of Columbia in 1822. He was a Hairdresser in Philadelphia from 1822 until 1824 at 55 1/2 South Front Street. In 1824, Oldridge moved his business back to London. He left John S. Fury as an Agent in Philadelphia. Fury only kept the Philadelphia Agency alive about a year.
In England, Oldridge continued his success with his preparation. It is not known when he died, but by 1830, C. & A. Oldridge were the Proprietors of his Patent Medicines. The 1830 Philadelphia Directory indicated that they were marketing the Balm of Columbia, and Bartholomew's Elixir of Life. They had a primary Manufactory at that time at No. 1, Wellington St., Strand, London. They also had a secondary Manufactory at 47 Prune, in Philadelphia. By 1838, Alfred Oldridge listed himself as the sole proprietor in London. Also by that point, Comstock & Co. had become the sole agents for the Balm in the U.S. This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest hair bottles. It's one of the oldest and it's my personal favorite. The colored ones are cool, but they came later and were from England. I like the real early aqua one shown. In 1879, an ad said there were four sizes of the bottles. Don't miss the picture on the #3 below (courtesy of Stuart Roffey). The following ad was transcribed from an 1822 Saturday Evening Post: BALM OF COLUMBIA
An Important Recent Chemical Discovery
The ladies and gentlemen of this city and elsewhere, are respectfully informed, that John Oldridge has fortunately discovered, by the power of chemistry, the grand desideratum of preventing hair from falling off in FORTY EIGHT HOURS. This balm will most absolutely, in the course of a short time, make the hair grow healthy and thick. J. O. is well aware that many fraudulent and impositious oils, &tc. have been imposed upon the public, and therefore prejudice will be severe against his discovery, until trials shall convince his patrons that such a thing exists in nature as a certain preventative against the loss of hair. This valuable balm will cause whiskers and beards to grow rapidly. No danger need be apprehended to the human system by the application of this capillary restorative. The public may rest assured that it helps nature, and is perfectly harmless.
Persons desirous of becoming agents for the sale of the Balm of Columbia, will please address the proprietor by letter, (post-paid,) with a suitable reference. Prepared and sold, at $1 a pint, or 50 cents for a half pint bottle, by JOHN OLDRIDGE, No. 55 1/2 South Front Street, and at No. 11 North Fourth Street, Philadelphia.
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