The Moustache Craze of the Late 19th Century (Not the 2010s!)

Do you remember the moustache craze of the early 2010s? 

They could be found on everything. Cups, shirts, drawn on peoples fingers (both impermanently and permanently). It often seemed they were more common on decor than on people’s faces.

The Victorians loved them too, especially in the later decades of the 19th century . But they were primarily a facial accessory, rather than a funny mantra on an apron. 

As with any trend, moustaches rose and fell in popularity with the times; but it is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a moustache is often annoyed by its ability to collect crumbs, moisture, and other unpleasant things. 

So, how did Victorian gentlemen drink without getting their constant companion soaked? 

The answer is actually very simple: Moustache Cups.

Note: I will only be using sources of information that are openly accessible, in the event that any readers wish to go on their own explorations!

I found this moustache cup at a local antique store in December of 2022. It was manufactured around the 1890s, and features a large ridge with a small hole. Its function is very straightforward: a beverage drains through the hole, the guard keeps the moustache dry.

The origins of these cups are a bit obscure. According to Wikipedia, it is accepted that they were invented by Harvey Adams, a British potter, in the 1870s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moustache_cup). 

However, this does contradict an 1865 edition of “Public Opinion,” which states that they had already been sold for many years. This is the earliest primary-source record of their mention which I could find, but we’ll come back to that excerpt towards the end. 

This post isn’t meant to explore their backstory, though. Instead, I’d like to take a few minutes to look at public engagement and the media surrounding these cups, where we can see how people interacted with them. 

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First, let’s look at this illustration from The Melbourne Punch, published November 7th 1872:

[Two women, one older (Pauline) and one younger (Corisande), talking at a table. A young boy is watching through a door.]

PAULINE: “What do you think, dear, of that Moustache Cup that’s just come into fashion?” 

CORISANE: “It’s an excellent invention, my dear, and I only wish they’d extend the principle to spoons and glasses. Nothing is more disagreeable than to be kissed by anybody with his moustache smelling of soup and wine.”

LITTLE PITCHER: “Is it? Yah! Is it? I’ll just go and tell every word you’ve said to Ma—that I will.”

SOURCE: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Melbourne_Punch/cw5HAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

Note: “Little Pitcher” here is, I believe, a reference to the proverb “Little Pitchers Have Big Ears.” This means that one should always be careful when speaking around children, lest they hear something they shouldn’t.

I read this as a teenage girl confiding in an older female relative, possibly an Aunt, and is implying that she has kissed boys/men before. The pesky little brother, dubbed Little Pitcher, can’t wait to rat out his sister for doing something that their Mother wouldn’t approve of.

We’ve all been there.

And all over a moustache cup! It seems that they could wreck homes and reputations…

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Next, we have the Kansas City School Report for the year 1887-1889, where ‘moustache cup’ is featured in the list of “Words used in one month by Edmund G. McLaughlin, three years and five months old,” on page 58. 

SOURCE: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Annual_report/vTBRAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=moustache+cup&pg=PA58&printsec=frontcover

Note that there is a lot to unpack regarding Edmund when you read through the full list of what he allegedly said. I’m imagining a teacher or parent following behind this child every waking moment with a notepad, frantically scrawling every word that comes out of his mouth — for better or for worse.

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Thirdly, an A.E Tuttle was awarded a moustache cup because he was “owner of the best moustache” in 1877, recorded on page 154 of the Bates Student Magazine (during the celebration of ‘Ivy Day’).

Looking glass to the handsome man, L.M. Perkins ; jacknife to the homely man, E.M. Briggs, moustache cup to the owner of the best moustache, A.E. Tuttle”

SOURCE: Edited by Francis O. Mower and J/ Wesley Hutchins. https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Bates_Student/SSIEAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=moustache+cup&pg=RA1-PA154&printsec=frontcover

Congratulations to A.E. Tuttle! And condolences to E.M. Briggs. When they say ‘Boys Will Be Boys,’ this is what they mean, right? 

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In an 1890 edition of Cassell’s Family Magazine, Moustache Cups are described under a section called “The Gatherer: An Illustrated Record of Invention, Discovery, Literature, and Science.” As they grew in popularity, a detachable moustache plate was created. The following segment is featured on page 575:

Moustache-cups are not always procurable, though by no means uncommon, so gentlemen who find their use advisable will be glad to hear that a detachable moustache-plate, which may be readily fitted to any cup of ordinary size, is now to be had. In shape it is very like the plate fitted to moustache-cups, and answers its purpose admirably. As it may be carried in the vest pocket it is peculiarly adapted for travellers. 

SOURCE: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Cassell_s_Family_Magazine/zaDQAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=moustache+cup&pg=PA575&printsec=frontcover

Given the statement that travellers can use these detachable plates, I’m now picturing mini moustache cups and plates in the travel toiletries sections at ASDA and Walmart.

This also serves as a reminder that people have always tried to condense their belongings for their travels. In a way, this is similar to carrying a reusable straw or cup with you.

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Now, as I alluded to earlier, let’s look at page 50 of Public Opinion from January 14, 1865:

Moustache Spoon — Under a very elaborate engraving of a newly invented patent of this article, the Scientific Journal gives us the following description: — “A moustache is an ornament to the human face divine, under ordinary circumstances, but when it is drenched in a cup of smoking coffee, or emerges dripping from the cream, as Venus rose from the sea, the wearer of it is placed in an embarrassing position. Moustache coffee-cups have been sold in stores for many years. These cups have a portion of the top covered with a bridge in which there is an opening whence the beverage finds it way down the throat of the drinker without soiling his hirsute appendage. This mysterious-looking spoon effects the same object. When soup is taken, unless the eater thereof is dexterous, and “understands his business,” he is apt to present an uninviting spectacle, and becomes a very undesirable addition to a small, but select, dinner party. Hence this spoon. The bride over the centre prevents the disagreeable results alluded to, and supports the moustache in its passage over the savoury flood. The bridge may be made permanent of removable, and can be attached in a few minutes, and by any common mechanical device.”

SOURCE: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Public_Opinion/iN0hrSShXuEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=moustache+cup&pg=PA50&printsec=frontcover

I haven’t come across a moustache spoon in my antiquing adventures yet. But it seems only natural that the concept of moustache protection would extend across additional utensils, and here is an advertisement for such a spoon found in the 1894 “All About the Midwinter Fair, San Fransisco; and interesting facts concerning California” by Taliesin Evans: 

This is the only satisfactory Moustache Spoon ever made. Has positively and absolutely the only correct shape and all necessary features that are essential for a Moustache Spoon; without these a Moustache Spoon is impracticable and useless. Completely covered by U.S. Patent; the least infringement thereon will be immediately prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

SOURCE: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/All_about_the_Midwinter_Fair_San_Francis/hatAAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

Heed the warning, folks!  

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For any moustachioed readers, I hope that you feel a sense of kinship with these Victorians, because they too knew that “the struggle is real.”

For any non-moustachioed readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed this learning experience :)

— A. N