Valmor Products Label Collection

Dates: 1934-1944
Size: .1 linear foot in 1 folder, includes 38 labels
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe-c00117
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Purchased from David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books, 2019
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred Citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is, Valmor Products Label Collection, [Label #] Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.
Finding Aid Author: Michelle McCoy, 2019. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Michelle McCoy, 2022

Abstract

The Valmor Product Label Collection contains a small selection of product labels created in the 1930s and 1940s by the Valmor Products Company or its subsidiary companies: Lucky Brown, Madam Jones, King Novelty and Famous Products Company. The products ranged from hair pomades, perfumes and skin creams to household products that were marketed to African American women prior to the Black is Beautiful movement and frequently consisted of skin lighteners and hair straighteners.

Biographical/Historical

Morton Neumann (1898-1985), a journeyman chemist, began Valmor Products Co. in 1926. A native of Chicago’s South Side, he identified a shortage of cosmetic products tailored for Black and Latino communities. Together with his wife, Rose, the Neumanns operated Valmor Products Co. and its subsidiary companies: Lucky Brown, Madam Jones, King Novelty, and Famous Products Co. The inventory of products ranged from hair pomades, perfumes and skin creams to household products. Cosmetics marketed to African American women prior to the Black is Beautiful movement frequently consisted of skin lighteners and hair straighteners.

The company’s first headquarters was located at 5249 S. Cottage Grove Avenue and shared its space with the Valmor record label. In the 1930s, Neumann purchased larger warehouse space between S. Indiana Avenue and S. Prairie Avenue at the intersection of Cermak Road. By the 1950s, Valmor had a mailing address at 2241 S. Michigan Avenue. His products were advertised in Ebony, Jet and other prominent publications.

Morton G. Neumann died in 1985 at the age of 87. His significant 20th century art collection, Morton G. Neumann Family Collection, is at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Scope and Contents

The Valmor Product Label Collection contains a small selection of product labels created in the 1930s and 1940s by the Valmor Products Company or its subsidiary companies: Lucky Brown, Madam Jones, King Novelty and Famous Products Company. The products ranged from hair pomades, perfumes and skin creams to household products that were marketed to African American women prior to the Black is Beautiful movement and frequently consisted of skin lighteners and hair straighteners.

Arrangement

The product labels are listed alphabetically by company name and product line. The collection includes a few unrelated labels that came with the lot. These are listed at the end.

Subject Terms

  • Beauty culture
  • Cosmetics industry
  • Packaging--Design
  • Famous Products Co.
  • King Novelty Company
  • Lucky Man Co.
  • Madam Jones Co.
  • Valmor Products Co.

Related Collections

  • Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers
  • Trade Catalog Collection

Collection Inventory

Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.1 Famous Products Co., Brown Skin Beauty, White Rose Cold Cream, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.2 Famous Products Co., Brown Skin Beauty, Lemon Fragrance Cleansing Cream, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.3 Famous Products Co., Kiss Me Again Mouth Wash, label, 1937
Small Collections Box 1 Items 1.4.1-1.4.2 Famous Products Co., Lucky Brown, Lemon Fragrance Cleansing Cream, labels (2), 1939
Small Collections Box 1 Items 1.5.1-1.5.2 Famous Products Co., Lucky Charm Perfume, labels (2), undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.6 Famous Products Co., Lucky Man and Woman Liniment for Muscular Aches and Pains, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.7 Famous Products Co., Velvet After Shave, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Items 1.13.1-1.13.2 Madam Jones Co., Bleach Ointment, labels (2), undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.14 Madam Jones Co., Hair and Scalp Shampoo, label, 1944
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.8 Madam Jones Co., Hair Dressing Pomade, label, 1944
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.21 Madam Jones Co., Hot Oil Shampoo Treatment, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.15 Madam Jones Co., Lemon Fragrance Lotion, label, 1944
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.9 Madam Jones Co., One Minute Skin Lightener No. 1, label, 1946
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.10 Madam Jones Co., Overnight Cream, label, 1944
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.16 Madam Jones Co., Seven X Hot Comb Oil, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.22 Madam Jones Co., Skin Ointment, label, 1944
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.11 Madam Jones Co., Skin Secret Cream, label, 1939
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.12 Madam Jones Co., Sleeping Beauty Night Cream, label, 1939
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.20 Valmor Products Co., Bath Salts, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.19 Valmor Products Co., Fly Murder, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.23 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Breath Mouth Wash, label, 1938
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.17 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Georgia Brown, Body Powder, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.26 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Georgia Brown, Liquid Face Powder, label, 1934
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.18 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Georgia Brown, Pearly White Tooth Powder, label, 1935
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.24 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Georgia Brown, Skin Perfume, label, 1936
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.27 Valmor Products Co., Sweet Georgia Brown, Skin Tonic, label, 1936
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.25 Valmor Products Co., True Love 6-Way Jockey Club Hair Dressing, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.28 James Robertson and Son’s, Mincemeat, England, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.29 James Robertson and Son’s, Mincemeat, England, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Items 1.30.1-1.30.3 James Robertson and Son’s, marketing character, England, labels (3), undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.31 Longwood Plantation’s, Pure Cane Syrup, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.32 Nupral, Italy, label, undated
Small Collections Box 1 Item 1.33 Moro, Italy, label, undated
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