A bit about the History, Making, and Collecting of Hair Combs...

So many beautiful beautiful pieces have been designed as jewelry for the hair. Many can now be seen in museums. Combs are a universal item and can be found in all parts of the world, each having developed their own particular style and use of materials. The earliest combs were of bone, ivory, and wood. Silver, brass, and tin were also used. As time went on tortoise shell and horn became increasingly more common materials used in combs. These were common materials for combs in the early to mid nineteenth century. An advantage of both tortoise shell and horn was that they could be made soft and moldable by heating. As they cooled, they would harden and retain their new shape.

Often the material used is one found only in that particular locality. An unfortunate example of this is the Chinese Kingfisher. The Kingfisher bird had beautiful turquoise to blue feathers. They were incorporated into many of the designs for combs there and were used nearly to the point of the birds extinction!

In Africa combs, the woods used in a particular region will often help to identify where and when the comb was made. As one collects combs they become familiar with different materials, designs, trademarks, etc. that aid in identifying the combs' origin.

Celluloid

In 1869, two brothers, Isaiah and John Hyatt, were experimenting to find a replacement for ivory. They developed a material they called celluloid. Nitro-cellulose and camphor were the primary ingredients or this first manmade plastic. Celluloid changed the history of combs. They could be made with less expense and faster, so a whole new industry was formed. Celluloid could be used to imitate both ivory and tortoise shell. Since these two materials were becoming expensive and difficult to obtain celluloid surfaced at a good time. Good news for the hawksbill turtle and the elephant! They both became protected species.

In America, the comb industry centered around West Newbury and Leominster, Massachusetts. In 1759, Enoch Noyes opened a small shop to make combs using cattle horn. He was joined by a German, William Cleland, who brought with him old country skills and special tools for making combs. They became so successful that by 1793 there were 70 horn smiths working in the area making combs. Leominster, Mass. is still referred to as the comb capital of America.

Clubs

In 1993, a club was formed for collectors of combs. The Antique Comb Collectors Club is a not-for-profit organization composed of large and small, novice and expert collectors who share a common interest in vintage hair ornaments. The club's primary purpose is to provide a forum for a select group of special people who appreciate and admire the bygone era of fine, hand-crafted combs and other ornaments for the hair. Membership is open to anyone, worldwide, who wants to have fun buying, selling, collecting, and learning about antique combs. More information about membership can be obtained by writing Mary Bachman, 4901 Grandview, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197-3762.