Tuesday 8 January 2013

Cure For Corpulence!

Corpulency - don't you just love the way that word sounds, especially if you roll your Rs!


Some things never change!  These ads are  from around 1900 and show that even then, people were obsessed by weight and "quick fixes".


Mr F Cecil Russell of Woburn House, Store Street, Bedford Square, London had his treatment to conquer corpulency.  Of course, he is keen to advise customers that it was "a pleasant and absolutely harmless treatment".  It was "purely vegetable, contains no poison " … what!!!!!!  Would he have admitted it even if it had????  Even in those pre-advertising standards days?!?!?


Phew!


Love the alliteration.


So, for the sum of 12/- and a coupon from Weldon's Publications, corpulent readers could test the compound and judge for themselves!
Think I'll stick to salad!

Love, Liz

15 comments:

Used-to-Bees said...

What a hoot! 'A Column of Comfort for the Corpulent' should have been voted advertising slogan of the century! Thanks for sharing, Liz.
x

gillyflower said...

Some things never change - the search for the perfect figure!Like you I think salad is safer though!
It's a word you don't hear often now, but as you say its a great word!
Happy 2013 Liz!
Gill xx

Ruth Kelly said...

Salad sounds better to me also. Our corpulent society has always been around.

gilly said...

So funny! Have to admit, I had to go and look up "corpulent" though :-)
Have a great week,
xx

lavender attic said...

Hehe this is brilliant, it made me laugh - ah 'the misery of excessive stoutness' - I know it well!
Happy New Year Liz,
Sally x

Max said...

Quite funny to see that advertising claims for these kind of products haven't really changed over the years-all lies and special offers even back then! Isnt corpulent such a great word! Im going to try and fit it into conversation today somehow x

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a hoot! Love to read old ads, so enlightening.

sky-blu-pink said...

What fun! Unfortunately I can't roll my rs so can't enjoy the indulgence.

Kandi said...

Fantastic, no pernicious effects, order me a bottle! X

**Anne** said...

This gave me a good laugh. Thanks for sharing.
Anne xx

Robyn of Oz said...

Like all these things, and I'm glad that the snake oil salesmen haven't changed their patter in over one hundred years, the only thing really destined for lightness is the wallet.

Vintage Jane said...

I had to look up corpulent too!! I'm sure half the things they used to take probably ended up killing them in the end! Belated Happy New Year to you. M x

GardenOfDaisies said...

LOL! Corpulence, excessive stoutness.... no poisons or pernicious effects or constipation. My oh my what an exceptional offer and as soon as I find my one penny stamps, I'm sending off for the cure so I can return to normal symmetrical proportions. ;-)

The Vintage Knitter said...

You can't beat those old adverts for providing a few chuckles!

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Wow, that looks like just what I'm after,, especially as there's no poison, that's always a bonus. You're great at spotting this sort of thing!