Images(5)

Sample, Sales

Object number2008.33.28 a,b

Distributor Afro-American Export-Import

MediumPaper; Human hair

Credit LineGift of Marsha V. Lambria

DescriptionSheet of hair samples with a business card. Sheet of thin paper with 17 bundles of hair samples taped onto it. Typed black text at the top, as well as to the left of each bundle of hair, identifying the number and color of the sample. Blue handwritten text at the top of the page. Off-white rectangular business card with black text throughout. Handwritten blue and black text on the back. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 9.25 x 8.375 x 0.063 in. (23.5 x 21.3 x 0.2 cm)
Height x Width (b): 2.25 x 4 in. (5.7 x 10.2 cm)
InscriptionsTop of the paper reads: "COLOR CHART OF HUMAN HAIR". Blue handwritten text next to this reads: "No. 133".

Text down the viewer's left side of the paper reads: "DARK COLORS / NO. 1B / Off Black / No. 01 / Black / No. 02 / Dark Brown / No. 03 / Medium Brown / No. 04 / Light Brown / No. 05 / Chestnut / MEDIUM COLORS / No. 06 / Chocolate / No. 07 / Mauve Brown / No. 08 / Ash Brown". Text on the right side reads: "MEDIUM COLORS / No. 09 / Medium Blonde / No. 10 / Golden Brown / No. 11 / Brown Grey / No. 12 / Black Grey / LIGHT COLORS / No. 13 / Blonde / No. 14 / Blonde Grey / No. 15 / Silver Grey / No. 16 / White".

(b) Text on front of card reads: "AFRO-AMERICAN / Export-Import / Distributor of Fine Human Hair Wigs to Beauty Supply / Wholesalers Wide Range of Shades for 'Women of Color' / G. Jones, General Manager / P.O. Box 4541 / Washington, D.C. 20017".

Handwritten text on the back of the card reads: 681-6714 / Handmade 28.00 / Machine 18.00 / 2702 Georgia / Ave NW".
Historical NotesPart of a collection belonging to Gloria G. Giddens owner of the Golden Hair Salon in the Hill District and Homewood from the 1950s to the 2000s. Gloria G. Giddens was born August 10, 1925, and was one of the first African American women to graduate from Earl Wheeler Finishing and Modeling School, a previously all-white school, in 1951. She owned and operated two separate hair salons and a wig shop in the Hill District on Centre Avenue. In addition, she operated a clothing boutique, sponsored fashion shows, and developed a cosmetic line. When she wasn't spending her time hobnobbing with Pittsburgh's African American social elite, Gloria sponsored charm schools for African American girls at the Hill District YMCA, serving as a role model to countless young ladies. She died from cancer in 2006.

Related institution Golden Hair Salon

Related person Gloria G. Giddens (1925 - 2006)

Related institution Earl Wheeler Finishing and Modeling School

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