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Soap Collection (#34)

From the trenches to the home front, soap played a pivotal role in history

Background imageSoap Collection: SUNLIGHT SOAP AD, 1891. English newspaper advertisement, 1891

SUNLIGHT SOAP AD, 1891. English newspaper advertisement, 1891

Background imageSoap Collection: SAPOLIO SOAP AD, 1886. American advertisement, 1886

SAPOLIO SOAP AD, 1886. American advertisement, 1886

Background imageSoap Collection: PEARS SOAP AD, 1889. American magazine advertisement, 1889

PEARS SOAP AD, 1889. American magazine advertisement, 1889

Background imageSoap Collection: SAPOLIO SOAP AD, 1888. American advertisement, 1888

SAPOLIO SOAP AD, 1888. American advertisement, 1888

Background imageSoap Collection: SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, 1887. American magazine advertisement for Procter & Gambles Ivory Soap

SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, 1887. American magazine advertisement for Procter & Gambles Ivory Soap, 1887

Background imageSoap Collection: IVORY SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement, 1887

IVORY SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement, 1887

Background imageSoap Collection: WHITE RUSSIAN SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement for Jas

WHITE RUSSIAN SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement for Jas. S. Kirk and Companys White Russian soap, 1887

Background imageSoap Collection: AMERICAN SOAP CO. AD, 1851. Advertisement, 1851, for the American Soap Company

AMERICAN SOAP CO. AD, 1851. Advertisement, 1851, for the American Soap Company in New York City

Background imageSoap Collection: WHITE RUSSIAN SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement for Kirks White Russian Soap, 1887

WHITE RUSSIAN SOAP AD, 1887. American advertisement for Kirks White Russian Soap, 1887

Background imageSoap Collection: PEARS SOAP AD, 1897. American advertisement, 1897

PEARS SOAP AD, 1897. American advertisement, 1897

Background imageSoap Collection: SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, c1900. American merchants trade card for Lifebuoy Soap

SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, c1900. American merchants trade card for Lifebuoy Soap

Background imageSoap Collection: SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, 1882. Advertisement for Procter & Gambles Ivory soap

SOAP ADVERTISEMENT, 1882. Advertisement for Procter & Gambles Ivory soap, from an American magazine of 1882

Background imageSoap Collection: A Great Exhibition

A Great Exhibition
1924: The Palace of Beauty, sponsored by soap manufacturer Pears, at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageSoap Collection: Washing Facility

Washing Facility
12th September 1953: The makeshift bathroom of a travelling salesman from Halifax, complete with toothbrush, soap, pitcher of water and basin

Background imageSoap Collection: Advertisement for Lifeguard soap

Advertisement for Lifeguard soap -- little girl and adult female models posing (Sandra Palmer and Geraldine Hill). 1959

Background imageSoap Collection: Advertisement for Knights Castile soap

Advertisement for Knights Castile soap -- female model (Sandra Paul) holding a pair of nylon stockings. 1959

Background imageSoap Collection: Cheeky young Puppy avoids bathtime

Cheeky young Puppy avoids bathtime
A cheeky young pup escapes the possibility of bathtime by making a run for it from his wooden tub. Brother and Sister are about to give chase! Date: circa 1950s

Background imageSoap Collection: Belgian Bathing Equipment Shop

Belgian Bathing Equipment Shop, selling sponges, chamois leather cloths soaps, shampoo and sundry other bathing products for successful cleaning and grooming

Background imageSoap Collection: Europe, France, Marseille. Marseille style soaps

Europe, France, Marseille. Marseille style soaps

Background imageSoap Collection: Picture No. 10760943

Picture No. 10760943
Soaptree Yucca - Utilized for soap, food and to construct baskets by Native Americans (Yucca elata) Date:

Background imageSoap Collection: Picture No. 10760944

Picture No. 10760944
Soaptree Yucca - Utilized for soap, food and to construct baskets by Native Americans. (Yucca elata) Date:

Background imageSoap Collection: Picture No. 10760945

Picture No. 10760945
Soaptree Yucca - Utilized for soap, food and to construct baskets by Native Americans. (Yucca elata) Date:

Background imageSoap Collection: Picture No. 10760942

Picture No. 10760942
Soaptree Yucca - Utilized for soap, food and to construct baskets by Native Americans (Yucca elata) Date:

Background imageSoap Collection: Vinolia Soap Companys London laboratory where raw materials and essential oils were tested

Vinolia Soap Companys London laboratory where raw materials and essential oils were tested. Illustration c1905

Background imageSoap Collection: Advertisment for Pears soap using endorsements from famous people including

Advertisment for Pears soap using endorsements from famous people including the soprano Adelina Patti and the actress Lillie Langtry. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 6 November 1886)

Background imageSoap Collection: Thin films illustrated by a soap bubble. Surface tension of soapy water allows bubbles to form

Thin films illustrated by a soap bubble. Surface tension of soapy water allows bubbles to form. Thomas Young (1773-1829) used his Wave (Undulatory) theory of light to explain colours of thin films

Background imageSoap Collection: Childrens games in the 16th century: from left to right are shown rattle, windmill

Childrens games in the 16th century: from left to right are shown rattle, windmill, hobby-horse, and boy blowing soap bubbles using a reed. Woodcut

Background imageSoap Collection: Advertisement for Sunlight household soap c1890 recommending it to the housewife

Advertisement for Sunlight household soap c1890 recommending it to the housewife by claiming it would make life easier. Produced by Lever Brothers at their Port Sunlight works, Liverpool, England

Background imageSoap Collection: Soapine household cleaner. From late 19th century American trade card for Kendall

Soapine household cleaner. From late 19th century American trade card for Kendall Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Whale blubber was used in some soap products

Background imageSoap Collection: Joseph Crosfield & Sons soap factory at Bank Quarry, Warrington. A: Glycerine Plant B

Joseph Crosfield & Sons soap factory at Bank Quarry, Warrington. A: Glycerine Plant B: Silicate Plant C: Alkali Plant 1: General view of works 2: Display at Liverpool Exhibition 3: Frame Room 4

Background imageSoap Collection: Trade card for Sunlight soap, c1900. Why does a woman look old sooner than a manja

Trade card for Sunlight soap, c1900. Why does a woman look old sooner than a manja The answer is that she is not using Sunlight soap to make her household labours easier

Background imageSoap Collection: Trade card for Sunlight soap, c1900. Little girl carries a shopping basket of Sunlight

Trade card for Sunlight soap, c1900. Little girl carries a shopping basket of Sunlight soap home through the snow. The message is purity, whiteness and less labour

Background imageSoap Collection: Georges Clemenceau, French Prime Minister, encouraged by Chanticleer, a symbol of France

Georges Clemenceau, French Prime Minister, encouraged by Chanticleer, a symbol of France, wash defeated Germany with Coq Gaulois liquid soap produced by R Guichard, French industrial chemists

Background imageSoap Collection: Soap and Water

Soap and Water
View of a man washing his face at Fort Sheridan

Background imageSoap Collection: Postcard of Soap Dispenser Advertisement. ca. 1930, THE PULVERIZER-DISPENSER

Postcard of Soap Dispenser Advertisement. ca. 1930, THE PULVERIZER-DISPENSER. DISTRIBUTORS-IN-GEN-THRONE SALES CO. MORLAND, KANSAS. The Pulverizer-Dispenser: 1

Background imageSoap Collection: A Happy Shower Man

A Happy Shower Man
New York, New York: April 11, 1938 A patron enjoying his shower in a bath house in NY

Background imageSoap Collection: Soapy Dog Escapes From Bath

Soapy Dog Escapes From Bath
United States: c. 1960. A lathered up dog makes a soapy escape from its bath

Background imageSoap Collection: Selection of 16th Century Soaps A. D

Selection of 16th Century Soaps A. D
Selection of 16th Century Soaps. Soap is a salt of a fatty acid. Charlecote Park

Background imageSoap Collection: Soap for sale in soapstore, various colours and fragrances, Los Angeles, California, U. S. A

Soap for sale in soapstore, various colours and fragrances, Los Angeles, California, U. S. A
Soap for sale in soapstore, various colours and fragrances, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A

Background imageSoap Collection: Colours on surface of a soap bubble, close up

Colours on surface of a soap bubble, close up

Background imageSoap Collection: Three jars containing red cabbage juice, turned red by adding lemon (acid)

Three jars containing red cabbage juice, turned red by adding lemon (acid), green by adding soap (alkali), and blue with nothing added

Background imageSoap Collection: Housewife holding and pointing to detergent

Housewife holding and pointing to detergent

Background imageSoap Collection: Close-up of woman washing clothes on washboard

Close-up of woman washing clothes on washboard

Background imageSoap Collection: Chef stirring soup in large pot on stove

Chef stirring soup in large pot on stove

Background imageSoap Collection: A young German Shepherd Dog (Canis familiaris) with its head covered in soap, front view

A young German Shepherd Dog (Canis familiaris) with its head covered in soap, front view

Background imageSoap Collection: Dachshund (Canis familiaris) covered in sopa

Dachshund (Canis familiaris) covered in sopa

Background imageSoap Collection: Head of a grey Poodle (Canis familiaris) covered in soap, front view

Head of a grey Poodle (Canis familiaris) covered in soap, front view

Background imageSoap Collection: Scrubbing up before surgery

Scrubbing up before surgery
MODEL RELEASED. Scrubbing up before surgery




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From the trenches to the home front, soap played a pivotal role in history. During WW1, Wrights Coal Tar Soap became a trusted companion for soldiers, providing relief and cleanliness amidst the chaos of war. In 1900, Gossage Soap captured hearts with its captivating advert, leaving an indelible mark on society's consciousness. However, not all soap advertisements were progressive. The racist Pears ad serves as a stark reminder of past prejudices that we strive to overcome today. Yet amidst these dark moments, Port Sunlight emerged as a beacon of hope - a workers utopia built around the production of soap. The power of advertising was evident in posters promoting Sunlight Soap at every corner of London's bustling Piccadilly Circus in the 1920s. Inside tramsheds like those found in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, people would catch glimpses of Thoms Castile Soap cards enticing them towards cleanliness and luxury. Across borders, French artist Jean Carlu created an iconic advertisement for Monsavon soap in 1925 - showcasing both artistic brilliance and effective marketing strategies. Meanwhile, Pears Soap continued to captivate audiences since its groundbreaking advert back in 1887. As time progressed into the 1930s, Goodwins toilet soap brought elegance and sophistication into households worldwide. Through wars and societal changes alike, one thing remains constant - soap has been an essential part of our lives throughout history.