Ancient Hixtory

The Kind of Advertising We No Longer See

This state-of-the-art range looks like a contraption invented by Jules Verne,
something which can do anything that Captain Nemo commands,
as long as the crew at the helm remembers which control is which.

Huntington Long-Islander, April 20, 1923

Best wife's Christmas gift ever!

Huntington Long-Islander, December 17, 1909

Photo from Local History Room, Hicksville Public Library,
as found in Richard and Anne Evers' excellent little photographic book "Hicksville."

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Her glass may be dainty, but look at the size of that bottle!
How could a "tired woman" possibly lift it up to pour herself a glass?

Huntington Long-Islander, April 14, 1911

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The latest fad, from back when telephone numbers didn't have to be put on Speed Dial.

Huntington Long-Islander, April 29, 1927

The west side of Broadway near Marie Street, perhaps in the 1950s.
The old R.A. Esslinger store building is in the center, next to Vince Braun's Meat Market.
Slightly newer buildings to the left include Ginger's; on the right is the "new" Huettner building which opened in 1918.

It seems odd that plumber Charles Raynor had to place a series of ads in the Long-Islander to get people to splurge on indoor plumbing. Were the people of Hicksville really that fond of their outdoor privies? To persuade those who are concerned with their health, the first advertisement invokes a Classical goddess; the second appeals to those who simply cannot resist luxury.

Incidentally... I wonder what Mr. Raynor's middle initial really was, anyway.

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