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The Pompeian Massage Cream Legacy
Collections of original ads for 
Pompeian Massage Cream

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This 1912 ad is actually two ads in one. First, the left column of text says to slip into the bathroom and give yourself a one-minute massage with Pompeian Massage Cream when surprise guests arrive in the evening. The second column depicts a prospective employer telling the gentleman he wants to hire him because he is the "cleanest cut" of all the candidates for the job. The ad is also selling the famous Pompeian Beauty Art Calendar. A trial jar of the product is included with the calendar.

"Double chins are caused by loose skin, sagging flesh and flabby muscles. These are unnatural conditions. When natural conditions are restored by the use of Pompeian Massage Cream the double chin disappears as though by magic." The ad also mentions Pompeian Massage Soap. From a 1906 edition of Munsey's Magazine.

This 1917 ad features the beloved film star Mary Pickford, shown in this art calendar sitting on a window seat holding a small yellow bird on her left hand. The calendar panel is autographed by Ms. Pickford. The right side of the ad promotes the Pompeian Night Cream, and Pompeian Massage Cream for male baldness. The coupon asks for 10¢ ("dime preferred") to receive the art calendar.

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Robert Noah Calvert is the founder and CEO of Massage Magazine. The material for this column comes from the World of Massage Museum's collection and Calvert's book, The History of Massage, published in February 2002 by Healing Arts Press.