Marriage agencies have been around for over 350 years.
September 29, 1650 in London appeared first in the world marriage Agency, and in 1695, in the collection “How to improve the economy and trade” appeared in the wedding announcements. The name of the collection is irrelevant to the topic at first glance: at that time the matchmaker and other marital mediators were more in the role of facilitators of the merging of capital, helping to enter into mutually beneficial transactions.
A good marriage was often the only means to increase state or be saved from ruin. Therefore, in the wedding announcements, be sure to have provided data on income and dowry. “Gentleman 30 years old, declaring that he has a considerable fortune, wishes to marry a young lady with a fortune of approximately 3,000 pounds and is ready to sign on this account the contract”; “a Young man of 25 years having profitable business to whom the father is ready to allocate 1 000 pounds, willingly would marry, corresponding to his position. His parents raised him in the faith, and it differs sober behavior,” read one of the wedding announcements in the book “How to improve agriculture and trade.”
However, not only upscale gentlemen allowed themselves to advertise the search for a rich bride. Impoverished military in the Russian Newspapers of the late XIX – early XX centuries without hesitation said: “a non-Commissioned officer would like to combine marriage with a girl with your capital. The wedding is about the bride”; “If I were rich: I would take only the poor girl for a wife; but I am a poor Intel. with higher. images., agronomist-a technician, a pole, 35 years of age, in men only a rich girl, (not less than 100 000 p. C.). Agreed will not regret of the choice made; the anonymous will not answer.”
Men masterfully touted its advantages: “I decided to marry, but not know who they are. Everyone loves me, I’m not rich, but I’m handsome; I’m 25 years old, above-average growth, character soft. Who is rich, handsome and under the age of 19 years, the request to respond would be the one. the daughter of parents who agree to enter the house and live with their parents. Please do not be shy, it’s serious.” About the shortcomings also said bluntly: “Have good condition, 30 years old, blond hair, drink heavily and wish to marry with person who tried to save me from this sickness”; “I am poor and ugly. Looking for a complete contrast. The woman answer. The purpose of the marriage”.
Some dealers openly offered a mutually beneficial deal: “a Wife, a companion with a capital of 5 thousand, looking for a respectable gentleman 35 years, opening the dining-room. It promises a huge success”; “a Decrepit old bachelor, an elderly Baron, the nobles names of livelihoods has not, by marriage wishes to transfer the title of Baron to the lady, the girl; origin and religion is indifferent; need capital 5-6 thousand. Can adopt, adopt”.
In the German editions of the XIX century, also published a similar announcement: “the Jew, for 30 years, wants to marry the representative of the large Berlin production of blouses and dresses”; “a Landlord, 40 years, Evang. religion, seeking Dating with a wealthy lady, especially if she is a landowner”.
Sometimes commercial offers men hiding under a romantic twist: “Representative, serious, intellectual, 29 years old, has not lost faith in love (unhappily married), looking for marriage with a young girl, at least had a mistake in the past, but with solid capital to expand their business, which wants to find forgetfulness.”
Women are not behind men in frankness: “Beautiful, mermaid eyes, all woven from nerves and originality, calls for a celebration of life intelligent, a very fine gentleman, capable of strong vibrant feel; the goal is marriage”; “20 years, educated young lady looking for a husband of a millionaire, certainly the elderly, in order to avoid infidelity”; “Who marries a girl with the past “sin”, albeit involuntary? Pretty, educated, young, cannot, live by their labor”; “a Very interesting young lady (blonde, with dark eyes) with the means; he wants to marry. Only have at least one, but very large advantage”; “a millionaire immediately wished to marry a very beautiful brunette, without a past and without a dowry”.
