Aqua Velva

Discussion in 'Preshave and Aftershave' started by Steve C, Aug 2, 2017.

  1. blondblue

    blondblue Well-Known Member

    That's probably what the guy in the hat and sunglasses said as he flipped a bottle to somebody and the French Horns began the jingle.
     
  2. Eeyore

    Eeyore Well-Known Member

    After using it for a few days (the European formula, I believe): good stuff, but not as good as Pitralon Classic (the green one).
     
  3. nikos.a

    nikos.a Well-Known Member

    I have all the current versions of this amazing lotion. The differences between them are minimal. I kinda prefer the American.
     
    Eeyore and Yehuda D like this.
  4. Eeyore

    Eeyore Well-Known Member

    You should try Pitralon Classic as well!
     
    nikos.a likes this.
  5. nikos.a

    nikos.a Well-Known Member

    I have it. Great lotion, it pairs nicely with the Nuavia Rossa in my opinion.
    I prefer the AV to this, to be honest. I can use the AV all year round, I can't say the same about the Pitralon. I mainly use the latter in winter months.
     
    Yehuda D and Eeyore like this.
  6. Eeyore

    Eeyore Well-Known Member

    It is great how tastes differ
     
  7. entropy1049

    entropy1049 Well-Known Member

    An interesting thought occurs to me. When I first thought about the question "what was the first aftershave" I thought, "Hmmm...probably 4711...", but then thought, 4711 (and Clubman, and many of our OLD stand-bys) were actually conceived to be kind of body funk deodorizers, and not so much aftershaves, though that's how we may apply them.

    So, my question would be, what was the first aftershave marketed as an aftershave?

    EDIT: Old Spice is '30's, right?
     
  8. RetLEO-07

    RetLEO-07 likes his penguin deep fried, with pink sparkles

    In answer to @entropy1049 query, I thought I read somewhere around here that Listerine started out as after shave. I'm sure there are EdC's that are pretty old.
     
  9. entropy1049

    entropy1049 Well-Known Member

    I seem to recall reading this about Listerine as well...
     
  10. Weasel640

    Weasel640 Well-Known Member


    I really would like to know where this information came from? What evidence do you have that Aqua Velva was ever a "mouthwash"?? The first Aqua Velva trademark was applied for by J.B. Williams Co. cited as an "After-shaving Prep.". At the time J.B. Williams Co. was a shave soap company, I find it highly unlikely that a shave soap company would all of a sudden start making "mouthwash". Especially when the first documented instance of the registered trademark was for "Aftershave". With no evidence, I am fairly certain that you are mistaken.

    The original trademark can be found here at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
    http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn71107273&docId=SPE20090108080358#docIndex=0&page=32

    You can clearly see that it was described as "A luxurious after-shaving preparation." on the label filed with the original trademark:
    http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn71107273&docId=SPE20090108080358#docIndex=1&page=1

    In addition to the Trademark registration in 1917 for "Aftershave", there are references from J.B. Williams in Company Records held by the Connecticut State Library. The records state that J. B. Williams Co. was started around 1847, focused on producing "Shaving Soaps". By the early 1900s they were producing many other "Shaving" products including Aqua Velva.
    http://collections.ctdigitalarchive.org/islandora/object/20002:860134676

    Lastly there is printed advertising that can be found from the early 20s calling Aqua Velva an After-Shaving Prep.
    http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Willi...s-USA-1920-Posters_i4247597_.htm?AID=93641796

    All the information that I'm referencing is open to the public. I really don't see why the contrary information is being put forward with no evidence. So where exactly, and what basis is this myth that Aqua Velva was a mouthwash coming from?



    Aqua Velva was trademarked in late 1917, to register a trademark it must have been in use prior to submitting, so best guess is early 1917. Trademark: "Aqua Velva"; Serial Number 71107273; Registration Number 0121027; Filing Date November 9, 1917; Registration Date March 19, 1918. As you can see from the stamp on the originally filed trademark filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
    http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn71107273&docId=SPE20090108080358#docIndex=1&page=2



    As you can see from the 1920s add, yes it was yellow back then. They didn't start using Blue and Menthol until the late 40s-50s, hence the name change to "Ice Blue".
    http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Willi...s-USA-1920-Posters_i4247597_.htm?AID=93641796

    You can also see on Wikipedia a photo of the same bottle type.

    ~ Eric
     
    CarlfromMO, EnglishChannel and gorgo2 like this.
  11. Bama Samurai

    Bama Samurai with Laser-like Focus

    Nice research, but since it's a myth, the source would be unknown. Thanks for the read.
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  12. PickledNorthern

    PickledNorthern Fabulous, the unicorn

    It has been something of an urban legend on multiple sites for quite some time. Don't let it get your neck hairs up.

    Welcome to The Den, btw.
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  13. Weasel640

    Weasel640 Well-Known Member

    I still would like to know where this originated from. Without evidence it is just my assumption that it is a Myth.

    Yes, I'd agree. This is not the first time that I have seen this said. However I still would like to know the origin of this statement. So far I have only been able to find it being repeated, with zero evidence to support. Also if you look at the Wikipedia page for Aqua Velva it had been in a much earlier version and edited out in 2014 for the same reason, no citation to support. It was even stated on the YouTube Channel "Id Lather Be Shaving". I understand I may never find out where this stemmed from. But I like to do the research as well, and this is an assumption that has been "unchecked" for some time, to put it analytically.

    My best guess as to why this is a thing: At some point maybe a well experienced and respected members of one of these forums (or in the community) got Aqua Velva mixed up in their memory with Listerine. Early advertising does exist that supports Listerine originally being marketed as an "Aftershave". So I wonder if at some point someone incorrectly mixed them up, and the community continued to echo it. I guess we'll never know unless we can find the source of this statement.

    Thank you for the welcome.
     
  14. Bama Samurai

    Bama Samurai with Laser-like Focus

    But if I could tell you the origin, it would simply be an erroneous story. Myth is all I got! I can't recall the origin.
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  15. battle.munky

    battle.munky Has the menthol.munky on his back!

    I don't care. Mouthwash, AS. Musk, Ice Blue, Sport.....I've loved every drop of AV that has ever graced my face.

    I'm a memeber over at B&B but haven't been there in 5 years or so. Never heard of Blue Steel but now I HAVE to make some. Super intrigued all the sudden.
     
    Bird Lives and EnglishChannel like this.
  16. Weasel640

    Weasel640 Well-Known Member

    So is this the modern version of AV that you mix with Florida Water? Or the good 1960-70s classic stuff before they changed the formula?
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  17. rustypixel

    rustypixel Active Member

    Sounds interesting and I think I'm going to try this. Like... right now.


     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  18. Enrico

    Enrico Popcorn

    Just the AV sold at Walmart.

    Hope you like it. :cool:
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  19. Weasel640

    Weasel640 Well-Known Member

    OK good. Yeah I wouldn't mix my classic stuff with anything. I have no problem mixing the modern stuff. I'll have to try it next time I pick up some Florida Water. It's not sold around here, gotta go an hour away to Tucson for Florida Water.
     
    EnglishChannel likes this.
  20. Enrico

    Enrico Popcorn

    I order in bulk from Ebay. Saves gas.
     

Share This Page