Godey's Lady's Book

Hair Jewelry:

Godey's offered its readers the opportunity to buy merchandise through its fashion editor. Such things as card cases, patterns, jewelry, infant's clothing, even pianos, were described. Subscribers could write to the fashion editor, describe what they wished to purchase, and enclose the apppropriate sum. The buyer would make the purchases and ship them, informing them through the pages of the magazine that their purchase had been sent.

Some of the more frequently described articles were hair jewelry. For example, this paragraph from the section of the magazine known as Godey's Armchair is typical of the offering:

Godey's Armchair, February 1857, p. 188

HAIR ORNAMENTS--Ladies wishing hair made into bracelets, pins (which are very beautiful), necklaces or ear-rings, can be accommodated by our Fashion Editor. A very large number of orders have recently been filled, and the articles have given great satisfaction.
We give the prices at which we will send these beautiful articles:--
Breastpins, from $4 to $12.
Ear-rings, from $4 50 to $10.
Bracelets, from $3 to $15.
Rings, from $1 50 to $3.
Necklaces, from $6 to $15.
Fob-chains, from $6 to $12.
The Charms of Faith, Hope, and Charity, $4 50.

The following notice would appear in each issue of the magazine. Throughout this period it was not unusual for over fifty such orders to be completed each month. A small selection is given here:

Godey's Armchair, May 1857, p. 476

PHILADELPHIA AGENCY

No order attended to unless the cash accompanies it.
All persons requiring answers by mail must send a post-office stamp; and for all articles that are to be sent by mail, stamps must be sent to pay return postage.
Be particular, when writing, to mention the town, county, and State you reside in. Nothing can be made out of post-marks.
"Miss C.D.B."--Sent jet ear-rings and pin 24th.
"Miss M.T."--Sent hair ring 24th.
"Mrs. O.P.E."--Sent pearl card-case 24th.
"Mrs. H.F.H."--Sent patterns 26th.
"Mrs. H.H.A."--If broad, three; if narrow, five.
"Mrs. S.G.R." --Sent hair charms, Faith, Hope, and Charity 3d.
"Rose and Carrie"--Crinoline is an article made of horse-hair, worn to make dresses stand out. Can get you that book for $1 25.
"Eight Set Polka Quadrilles."--If the person who wrote the letter ordering above, will furnish his or her name, and the post-office where they live, we may be able to send them.
"J.P.P."--No stamp enclosed to pay return postage.

On rare occassions, the magazine would provide pictures of hair jewelry. The following represent images for the period 1856 to 1860.

January 1857, Page 10.

February 1858, Page 105.

December 1860, Page 563.

Godey's Lady's Book.