Question for the Aftershave historians

I now have my great-grandfather's restored straight and brush as well as his mug. I'm planning a birthday shave in his honor, and need some help. I'll use vintage Williams soap. He died in 1938, so it would have been available to him. I can use witch hazel as an aftershave, but from what I know of him, he would have used something a little "fancier". He was a farmer in southern Indiana, but was very successful. My mother has a mahogany library/hall table and his curved glass front secretary. His mustache cup was of china, delicate and painted with a floral pattern, because my grandmother said "He liked nice things".

What kind of aftershave might have been available to him in rural southern Indiana circa 1920. I think the Sears catalog may have been a source as well as the local general store, which I remember from childhood. They sold everything!

Any ideas?

Any of the Pinaud's Clubman, Lilac Vegetal etc.(late 1800's), Old Spice (1938) or Aqua Velva (1929) would be appropriate!

Pinaud Lilac Vegetal seems to show up in every old drugstore catalog I look at, and the "imported from France" cachet might have appealed. Bay rum should work too, or maybe a simple rosewater.

Clubman/British Sterling were around for many years..still are

Bay Rum was popular in the early 20th century. 4711 has been around forever.

Yardley of London would also work

Skin Bracer by Mennen was launched in 1931 according to Basenotes.

Another point to consider is that the local drugstore may have made their own. From the 1919 Bulletin of pharmacy, Volume 33:

Witch Hazel

Florida Water,Bay Rum,Witch Hazel,Almond Oil

Small sampling of Sears catalogs below, but Lilac Veg, Skin Bracer, or Aqua Velva would all be a good choices.


1915


1933


1934

Mike H said:

Small sampling of Sears catalogs below, but Lilac Veg, Skin Bracer, or Aqua Velva would all be a good choices.


1915
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1933
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1934
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thats awesome.Williams Aqua Velva?I wonder what that smelled like back then and if they still use the same formulas.

LouBarraza said:

thats awesome.Williams Aqua Velva?I wonder what that smelled like back then and if they still use the same formulas.

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Here's your answer.

Great catalogs!

madcap3693 said:

Great catalogs!

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Now you can also work on paying the same amount he did as well!

pipskicks said:

Now you can also work on paying the same amount he did as well!

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If you factor in inflation it actually comes out to be a cheaper than today's prices.

I love the added benefit of mosquito repelant listed under the St. Thomas Bay Rum.

Topgumby said:

Here's your answer.

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Man, I miss ClubmanRob! Thanks for the memories.