Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-10-27
American Institute,
H.

Comb Manu- fdcture-There are sOmeex ceedlngly
handsome combs, carved and pian IN the present ex-
hibiton, sent by MIR. Willard OF 70 Maiden Lane; ne
beng one of the first who manufactured the carved
shell combs this country. In one small glass case,
there are one hundred and twenty one derentcombs,
all arranged WITHIN space SO small thai may De
covered by the palm OF the hand. There are also two
other combs worth thirty dollars each, that are the
most beautiful sent 10 this or any other exhibit
non.
The progress of the comb manufacture in this coun.
try presents curious and interesting facts with
which person in one thousand IS acquainted,
although three persons out Of every five at the very
least purchase and wear combs.
About forty-seven years ago, that is, in the latter
part of 1891 the manufacture OF horn CO mbs was be-
gun in the United States but that manufacture con-
sisted then OF very inferior article; moreover for
time after they began this business here, all the
horn combs were worked Dat by hand; whereas, at
the present time, they all made by machinery.
The winning machine $50 called from twins, because
IL cuts TWO combs out of one plece) at present
employed by Mr.. Willard at Boston, cuts two
hundred dszsn OF combs in one day; this machine is
exceedingly simple, and can be worked by girls, II
being only necessary to put the shell or comb in the
machine, and turn crank; and the combs with the
teeth cut turned out with the rapidly OF thought
On the old system one man could only make about
eight dozen of side combs a day; the teeth were
then sawed out by common saw, and the material
from the intersccs, or parts between the teeth,
all wasted. On this plan the workman earned two
dollars day; but now, one man will accomplish as
the improvements introduced and put in practical
operation within ten years have been such to CON-
pletey revolutlonze the business.
The importation of horn combs has diminished
exceedingly fast within the last few years, owing TO
the immense improvement in the American manu-
facure of the article. AT the present time there
not more horn combs imported annually than will
amount 10 about $35 0O0 these consist simply Of the
straight horn dressing comb. About two years since
We imported net less than 100000 worth of horn
combs annually; four years back, we imported horn
combs, annually, to the amount of S2400 and so
on back for several years. in about the same ratio.
The amount of horn combs exclusively manufac-
tured in this country in the course OF year. is some
what difficult TO ascertain. But assured by
Mr.. Willard, lone Of the most sensible and best in
formed manufacturers we ever met with IN any coun-
my, branch Of buslness,) that there at least
dozen combs the average, consumed every year by
every woman and girl in the country and the start
ing point for the consumption of rather destruction
of combs among females, may be dated at three
years of age, for they begin 10 wear and break them
from that time till their dying day.
Putting the number of females over three years of
are in the United States eight Millions Ia fair est
mattel we have consumption OF one hundred millions
Of all sorts OF combs by them annually.
The value of the horn combs manufactured and sold
every year in the United States, may be calculated
from the following details.
The horns used IS scarcely necessary to say are
those of cows and oxen. The great market for de-
posting and exporting horns for all the world Rio
Grande; the best horns in the world are obtained
shere; and this market does in fact in part supply
every part Of the civilized globe We have imported
INTO New York, IN the course OF one year, not less
than million IN number Of horns from Rio Grande
alone; and into the whole country, we have import
ed thence in year. horns to the value Of million
Of dollars.
Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, all import
horns in the following rauo-New York, 81, 600 600;
Boston, $780, 600; Philadelphia, $500 900.
These two millions are all worked up in the Allan
nc states. Again, all the American horns are sent
from New Orleans, and the entire south and west,
1.-THE produce Of cattle raised IN the country) TO the
northern Atlantic states.
In fact, horns are sent us from all the sau ghter
houses in the Union, to be worked up here, TO an
amount At least equal to those which are imported
from Other countries
10 100000 600 900 which will give the number Of
horns double, or !, 200, 900 000, 60e.
The amount OF horn consumed TO that OF
she'll bears about the proportion Of TO l; the
amount in value Of hern to she'll bears proportion
Of Is cents 10 one dollar. shell comb bears to a
horn comb of the same size and appearance, rela-
tive value Of twelve dollars to two dollars.
There are SIX horn comb manufacturers in this city,
with joint capital OF sixty thousand dollars.
In the State of New York there are about one hun
dred and twenty manufacturers with average
capital OF 1--WE thousand dollars EACH these, all en-
paoying about 1--WE hands in each factory on the
average.
Formerly, a lady would not look at comb if j,
At Canton comb on account Of the immense sspc-
monty of the American article over The imported one
Canton combs could not new be sold in New York
for their cost in Canton for we manufacture art
Gle ten times better.
When Mr.. Willard began the manufacture Of carved
shell combs, the business was but little understood
IL 70 self made business here entirely. We had no
fewcign workmen to teachR.
Massachuset and Connecticut may be consider
ID the great horn comb making States. There are
nearly quite two hundred manufacturers OF The
ticie in Massachusetts and many in Connec-
t,cat These all have On average capital Of $4,000
each and employ FIVE hands each, who earn on the
average 81 day.
The horn comb business is progressing westward
very fast there AT least ten manufacturers Of the
article IN the three cities Of CINCINNATI Louisville and
fs'tsburg, who employ men and capital similar TO
fhe above. And one gentleman left New ork last
week, TO start horn comb factory in ST. Louis.
SAsA CemJs.-Ths manufacture of shell combs |
n this country presents also number of interesting
and valuable facts. The shell used in the business is
vareuely called the turtle and the tortoise the terms
being considered syneny by the manufacturers;
bet the description Of shell used s that Of the Hawk
Bill Turtle This is BROUGHT rom the Spanish Main
some of the ports of Mexico Honduras, South Anne. |
rca coast Of Africa Eaet India Islands, particularly
Manila, from Madagascar, and or less from ali
The West India islands. In Short every vessel en-
ser'ng orr ports from ths negbborhood Of any of
those places, 10 sure 10 have some Of the shell on
Board tits not often that q vessel goes out expressly
- Obtain cargo Of the she'll but II 10 not long since