The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-09-29
The Trade in Human Hair.

A reporter of the New York E'Oe7lI71g
Mail recently had an interview with one
of the largest importers of human hair,
and from him learned some interesting
facts concerning this peculiar business,
In 1859 and 1860 between 1900 and
100000 pounds of hair was imported
into this country, valued at something
like S1,000,00O. In 1865 it had in
creased to nearly three times this
amount. Paris sends a large portion to
Russia as well as to America, where q
ready sale is always found. France and
Italy give the best quality of hair. 1t
is finer in texture, more even in color,
and glossy. Its chief value is in its
length. After it goes on the market it
is assorted, which task is attended with
much difficulty. The prices range from
S15 to 5000 per pound, according to
color and length. Short, coarse hair is
much cheaper. Gray and white hair
sells from 500 to $500 per pound. One
dealer i'll this city was once offered as
much as S400 per pound for parcel OF
pure white hair, and this sum he re-
fused, selling it subsequently for $3.50.
The hair is shipped to this country pre-
pared and unprepared. That which is
prepared undergoes process of wash
ing, securing and cleansing. all the oil,
dirt and other substances being separa-
ted from it, leaving it perfectly free
from all unhealthy influences. That
which is shipped in raw or unpre-
pared state is subjected to the same
process after its arrival. 1t is then
ready to be made into switches, curls,
plaits, fronts, wigs, chignons, and not a
I,o, co. I'm,
of hair jewelIy. The duty on the raw
material is twenty cents per pound, on
cleaned and drawn hair it is thirty cents,
and on manufactured hair it is forty
cents per pound. On other hair, not
human, it is ten cents per pound. There
are many instances given of changing
color.
1t is said that persons have from ex.
| cessive grief found their hair changed
| from a dark-brown to almost perfect
white; others from the same cause III
| the short space of one week discovered
their hair streaked with gray, giving
them the appearance, although young,
of being old. This may be said of the
famous elocutionist, the late DR.. Henry
Below. His hair is said to have turned
to silyery gray in one night, brought
about by domestic trouble. Other per.
sons hair changes color from extreme
fright.
A curious case was mentioned of {
worker i'll metals, who had wrought il
copper only five months, and whose
hair, which was white, turned to greer
color. Chemical analysis showed thai
the hair contained quantity of acetate
of copper, and it is to this circumstance
that the mans hair owed its beautiful
green color, which was both singular
and remarkable.
The practice of wearing false hair il
many hundred years old. The Greel
and Roman ladies were, in olden times
as active at their toilet for the head a
the fashionable ladies at the presen
day. Most of the hair at that time wa
obtained from the Germans, and the,
in turn from their slaves. Powderin!
the hair is not so much in vogue in thi
country as it is in Europe. Histor,
tells us that the consumption of hair
powder by the ladies of George IL
time was simply enormous. 1t wa
calculated that, inasmuch as the mill
tary force of England and the colonie
was then about 250, 900, each man use,
a pound of flour week for powderin.
the hair. This would give $500 ton
per annum-an amount that would sus
tain 10000 persons on bread. Gold an,
silver powder was also used. Josephu
relates that Solomon's horse-guard
daily covered their heads with gold dust
, which glittered in the sun, and ther
are several instances recorded in the Bi
BILE of silver powder being used. Th
ancient Greeks were very partial t
long hair, considering it very beconl
ing, while the Egyptians regarded it n
an incumbrance, and had their head
shaved. They preferred wigs to natura
hair. The ancients, generally speaking
strangely considered fine head of hal
SO desirable that it became almost sacre
7 with them. They frequently dedicate
: it to the gods on important occasions
such as marriage, victory, or escapin
from any great danger, and the buri;
/, of particular friends.
Hair contains very small quantity {
. water manganese. Iron and variou
salts of lime have been found by tn
| various methods of amalgamation.
Q is owing to this that hair is peculiarl
indestructible. 1t has been found O
mummies more than twenty centurit
old in perfect order and not bv wi
means rotten.
o During the past few years there hs
1 been gradual decline of human hair
!, the 6ner texture. Now there is q gll
In ttN market of chsAA hair and whel