Ten Victorian Sensation moustaches for Movember

It’s day ten of Movember. A deceptively simple play on the word November, a simple change of a letter that has prompted a big change in people’s behaviour during this winter month.

A month where men around the world are encouraged to grow and groom moustaches (no beards, no goatees), for charity. Since 2003 Movember has inspired millions of people to join the global movement to bring men’s health issues to public attention and raise money for men’s health programmes. 

I think that is worthy of a small celebration and decided to explore the collections in our Photography: A Victorian Sensation exhibition to find some delectable moustaches. I’ve selected ten moustaches that I think would definitely gain ‘mo bro’ status if they had been grown this November. 

1. Striking twists moustache

There are some striking end twists in this bushy moustache and I think these make it worthy of our number 1 ‘mo bro’ spot. This carte-de-visite was taken by Alexander Bassano in London.

2. Two scenic moustaches

These two are my striking second choice. These dashing fellows are a good reminder to take some fun photographs in picturesque spots with any freshly grown moustaches. This car scene is set against a backdrop of Princes Street and the Scott Monument in Edinburgh.

3. David Octavius Hill’s moustache

So this ‘mo bro’ might be cheating slightly, as he has grown the full beard as well! However, I thought that the mighty moustache of David Octavius Hill should take number 3. Hill is featured in this calotype taken by Dr John Adas moustache

As this delightful carte-de-visite of Dr David Livingstone shows, he sported a rather wonderful moustache. Born into a hard-working family in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, on 19 March 1813. Livingstone was a famous missionary and explorer who spent 30 years in Africa. During that time he travelled over 46,000km, mostly on foot, discovering previously unknown wonders and vastly increasing European knowledge of the geography of the continent.

6. Meticulous moustache

I don’t know much about this Victorian gentleman, but perhaps he won those medals for his meticulous moustache? This carte-de-visite was taken by Joseph Whitlock (1806 – 1857) in Birmingham.

7. Mystery Moustache

These images are from a series of the same British family on holiday over a number of years. If you look closely, time is passing, the boys are getting older, a sister arrives and ages, yet the father’s impressive moustache remains constant the whole time! It’s thought that the resort is Margate, but little is known about this photographic family. These tintypes are by an unknown photographer, 1880s – 1890s.

8. Accessorised moustache

I like the hat and scarf that accompany this moustache; it gives the gentleman a different style and edge. This carte-de-visite was taken by photographer Monsieur A. Boucher in Brighton.

9. Royal moustache

This carte-de-visite is entitled ‘The Late HRH The Duke of Clarence & Avondale’ and was taken by the London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company in London.  Again the fine moustache is accompanied by some fine accessories.

10. Henry James Byron’s moustache

My final ‘mo bro’ mention goes to this exquisite Movember look here from the English playwright and actor Henry James Byron, second cousin to the poet Lord Byron. It’s a top hat and tails that accompany this moustache.  This slightly coloured albumen print from a wet collodion negative was taken at the studio of Alexander Bassano, 122 Regent Street, London.

So it seems that the Victorians had some fabulous facial hair and brilliant moustaches.

Movember definitions.

1. Mo | Moustache
2. Mo Bro | A man who grows a moustache for Movember, or makes a commitment to MOVE

All of these images feature in our Photography: A Victorian Sensation exhibition, which is showing until the 22 November at the National Museum of Scotland.