Macassar oil an oily puff for soft heads / [graphic]Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827, printmaker[not before 15 May 1814]eng"An obese, elderly man, completely bald, sits in an arm-chair while a shopman pours oil from a bottle (straw-covered like a Chianti flask) on to his scalp, pressing down his head with the left hand. At his feet is a basin to receive the overflow. On the ground is a tall 'Fools Cap', with ears. Behind them stands a woman with a shock of red hair standing on end; she looks in horror at its reflection in a wall-mirror (right). On the wall above her head is a placard: 'Wonderful Discovery Carrotty or Grey Whiskers Changed to Black Brown or Blue--' High on the wall are shelves where bottles of the oil are closely ranged, one inscribed 'Wig Oil One Guinea Pr Bottle'. Behind the shopman (left) stands a big Ali Baba jar. Across the wall is a large placard inscribed: 'Macassar Oil, for the Growth of Hair is the finest invention ever known for encreasing hair on bald Places, Its virtues are pre-eminent for improving and beautifying the Hair of Ladies and Gentlemen--This invaluable Oil recommended on the basis of truth and experience is sold at One Guinea Pr Bottle by all the Perfumers and Medicine Venders in the Kingdom'."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier stateTitle etched below image.Later state; former plate number "316" has been replaced with a new number, and imprint statement has been completely burnished from plate.Publication information inferred from earlier state with the imprint: Pubd. May 15th, 1814, by Thos. Tegg, No. 111 Cheapside. Cf. No. 12405 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum, v. 9.Plate numbered "265" in upper right corner.Plate from: Woodward, G.M. Caricature magazine, or Hudibrastic mirror. London : Thomas Tegg, [1808?], v. 4.Also issued separately.Cf. Grego, J. Rowlandson the caricaturist, v. 2, page 284.Temporary local subject terms: Macassar oil.Watermark: Charles Wise.