Mrs. Phillips […] Machine Warehouse […]: She Likewise has Great Choice of Skins and Bladders

Title:

Description:

Mrs. Phillips was in the business of manufacturing condoms, “implements of safety,” to secure the health of her customers. In mid-eighteenth century she promoted her shop against the incursion of a competitor, one Mrs. Perkins. Mrs. Phillips had been manufacturing condoms for thirty-five years, making them from the finest skins and bladders. She filled orders from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and “other foreign places,” shipping condoms abroad. She defied anyone “to equal her goods in England or any other country whatsoever.” Mrs. Phillips is restrained and does not use the word condom in her advertising. She employed street hawkers to advertise her wares and bring customers to her shop off the Strand, on Half Moon Street, in London.

“To guard yourself from shame or fear
Votaries to Venus, hasten here
None in our wares er’er found a flaw
Self-preservation’s Natures law.”

Creator:

Phillips, Mrs.

Date:

1785

Coverage:

[London]

Display Date:

[ca. 1785]

Hover Text:

Mrs. Phillips — merchant

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