“PROFESSOR” HOLLOWAY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2297, 8 January 1884, Page 3

“PROFESSOR” HOLLOWAY.

A cable message on the 28th ult. announced the death of Mr Thomas Holloway, or “ Professor ” Holloway, as he was in the habit of styling himself in his advertisements—the famous manufacturer of pills and ointment, Mr Holloway’s career is a conspicuous example of the value of extensive and persistent advertising. He was originally, if we are not mistaken, a boy in a druggist’s shop, and when a young man the idea struck him of manufacturing his pills and ointment and selling them on hia own account He began, of course, on a very small scale, bis laboratory being a little back room, and the entire “staff” consisting of himself. He started, however, with the fixed determination of spending half his profits in advertising, and as he possessed the happy faculty of advertising judiciously, the result was simply amazing. His business went on increasing by leaps and bounds, until his manufactory, employing hundreds of hands, became one of the wonders of the metropolis. One branch, employing numbers of clerks, translators, book-keepers, and others, was devoted entirely to advertising the business. It was the Professor’s desire, if possible, to advertise in every newspaper in the world, and this he practically accomplished, the only exceptions being those journals which from pressure of other advertisements were unable to accept the terms he offered. A. few years ago it was authoritatively stated that Mr Holloway spent £30,000 per annum in advertising, and the amount since then has probably increased rather than diminished. One of the best evidences that this expenditure has paid is afforded by the munificent' benefactions in which Mr Holloway, to his credit be it said, has spent a portion of his fortune. A year or two ago it may be remembered, he gave away about a million sterling for the establishment of a college for girls and an asylum. Holloway’s pills and ointment have several times been analysed, and stated to be ordinary pharmacuetical compounds, but this, of course, “ Professor ” Holloway would regard as simply the result of jealousy. Assuming theanalysis to be correct, however, it only affords an additional tribute to the business push and #iergy of the manufacturer, and above all, to his superlative tact and skill in advertising his wares.