Elizabeth Arden letter to Mrs. Hyatt, 1926 June 26
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Summary
- Creator:
- Arden, Elizabeth, 1878-1966 and Baskin, Lisa Unger
- Abstract:
- Elizabeth Arden was a pioneering cosmetics entrepreneur. In this letter, she writes to advise a potential customer on matters relating to health and beauty. Arden advises her to get plenty of rest, eat a balanced diet, and to use products from Arden's Venetian line in order to soothe her chapped hands. Arden writes, "I know that where one is a busy housewife and has many duties in a country home, it is hard to get rest and relaxation. Perhaps you are of the naturally alert, quick, nervous type and use up a lot of energy everyday."
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (1 item)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11421
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of a single autograph typescript letter dated 1926 June 26 written by Elizabeth Arden to a Mrs. Hyatt, who had contacted her for advice after hearing her speak on the radio. Arden writes, "I know that where one is a busy housewife and has many duties in a country home, it is hard to get rest and relaxation. Perhaps you are of the naturally alert, quick, nervous type and use up a lot of energy everyday." Arden advises her to "get a little rest period at least once a day and relax in a quiet room or take a soothing, warm bath and a little nap," as well as to eat a healthy diet. She goes on to recommend products in her Venetian Preparations line that will soothe chapped hands, and encloses her booklet "The Quest of the Beautiful." On letterhead stationery from 673 Fifth Avenue embossed with the Venetian trademark.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Elizabeth Arden, born Florence Nightingale Graham, was an innovative entrepreneur who was instrumental in the development of the modern cosmetics and beauty salon industry in both America and Europe. Her early 20th century marketing campaigns helped make cosmetics socially acceptable for use by American women for the first time. She was a proponent of proper diet and exercise as a way to preserve "youth and beauty." She supported women's suffrage, and provided red lipstick to symbolize women's independence for a large march in 1912. In her spare time, she was successful in the male-dominated pursuit of race horse ownership.
- Acquisition information:
- The Elizabeth Arden letter to Mrs. Hyatt was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2015.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Megan E. Lewis, March, 2017
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2015-0050-LUBMSS107
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Elizabeth Arden letter to Mrs. Hyatt, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.