I was watching one of the “Antiques” programmes the other day and one of the items shown was a powder pot for shaking powder over 18th century wigs.
This reminded me of when I was teaching (back in the mists of time…) and the class of 9-year-olds were studying costumes through the ages. One of the lads piped up with, “’Ere Miss? You know they had them high ceilings back in them days? Well, did they wear them tall wigs so that they didn’t feel so small?” Seemed logical to me!
However, once again, I digress…
It was today, 5th May back in 1795 that the Hair Powder Act came into being. It levied a tax on hair powder stating that everyone wishing to use it must visit a stamp office to enter their name and pay for an annual certificate costing one guinea. (About £80 in today’s money)
Although there were certain exemptions (the Royal Family, certain Clergymen, some army officers for example) it soon sounded the death knell for the fashion accessory. In 1812, 46,684 people were paying the tax but by 1855, only 997 were.
The Act was finally repealed in 1869.
This reminded me of when I was teaching (back in the mists of time…) and the class of 9-year-olds were studying costumes through the ages. One of the lads piped up with, “’Ere Miss? You know they had them high ceilings back in them days? Well, did they wear them tall wigs so that they didn’t feel so small?” Seemed logical to me!
However, once again, I digress…
It was today, 5th May back in 1795 that the Hair Powder Act came into being. It levied a tax on hair powder stating that everyone wishing to use it must visit a stamp office to enter their name and pay for an annual certificate costing one guinea. (About £80 in today’s money)
Although there were certain exemptions (the Royal Family, certain Clergymen, some army officers for example) it soon sounded the death knell for the fashion accessory. In 1812, 46,684 people were paying the tax but by 1855, only 997 were.
The Act was finally repealed in 1869.