As an illustrator and graphic designer, I'm always keeping my eye open for interesting images, illustrations and designs. I especially have a love for vintage illustrations and graphics, so when I saw these unused beauty and hair product labels a number of years ago at a flea market, I had to have them. I don't remember exactly what I paid for them, but I do remember they were inexpensive. I think I got an entire envelope of them for five or six dollars.
They all seem to be aimed at the African-American consumer. Judging from the somewhat Art Deco graphics, I guesstimate that these are from the late 1920's or early 1930's. For some background information on the Famous Products Co., the company that produced these items and for a cultural analysis of their imagery, check out this website on
Lucky Brown Cosmetics.
