Joe Ades
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Ades (18 December, 1934 – February 1, 2009), also known as the "Gentleman Peeler," was a well-known street potato peeler seller in New York City
, USA.
, England
, the youngest of seven children, where his father worked in the textile industry. Leaving school at 15, he became an office boy, before becoming intrigued by the local markets which would spring-up in the World War II
-devastated landscapes of Northern England
. He started out hawking comic books, before selling linens
, textiles, jewellery
and toys
directly on the streets.
in 1969 as Ten Pound Poms
, where they settled in Sydney
, where Ades tried to set up markets in the parking lots of drive-in movies. Eventually he sold goods at street fairs off of the back of a large truck. After the marriage to Shirley dissolved in 1980, Ades remarried and divorced again.
While married to his third wife, she gave him a copy of London Labour and the London Poor
by Henry Mayhew
, a contemporary of Charles Dickens
, which recorded the activities of the street sellers of the Victorian period. Ades modelled himself on what Mayhew called "the patterers," most of whom liked to ape the dress and mannerisms of the gentleman.
, Ades followed his daughter to New York City, taking up residence in Manhattan.
From 1993 onwards, Ades sold $5 Swiss
-made metal potato peelers. Known for his engaging sales patter and demonstrations in places such as Union Square Greenmarket
, while wearing $1000 Chester Barrie
suits and shirts from Turnbull & Asser
. Ades never bothered with a license, meaning that he was often moved on by the New York City Police Department
. His pitches and lifestyle eventually meant that he became so famous, he was the subject of a Vanity Fair
article series.
Ades sold enough peelers to enjoy cafe society at the Pierre Hotel, on the Upper East Side, and lived with his fourth wife, Estelle Pascoe (– November 17, 2007) in her three bedroom apartment on Park Avenue
.
Ades died on February 1, 2009, only a day after being informed that he had been granted American citizenship.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, USA.
Early life
Joseph Ades was born in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the youngest of seven children, where his father worked in the textile industry. Leaving school at 15, he became an office boy, before becoming intrigued by the local markets which would spring-up in the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-devastated landscapes of Northern England
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
. He started out hawking comic books, before selling linens
Linens
Linens are fabric household goods, such as pillowcases and towels.Originally, many, such as bed sheets and tablecloths, were made of linen. Today, the term "linen" has come to be applied to all related products even though most are made of cotton, synthetic fabrics or blends...
, textiles, jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
and toys
Toys
Toys is a 1992 comedy film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright, LL Cool J, and introducing Jamie Foxx as Baker. The film failed at the box office at the time of its release, despite its impressive cast and lavish filmmaking. Levinson was...
directly on the streets.
Australia
In 1956 he married Shirley, and they had three children. The family moved to AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1969 as Ten Pound Poms
Ten Pound Poms
Ten Pound Poms is a colloquial term used in Australia to describe British subjects who migrated to Australia after the Second World War under an assisted passage scheme established and operated by the Government of Australia.The scheme, a follow-on to the unofficial Big Brother Movement,...
, where they settled in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, where Ades tried to set up markets in the parking lots of drive-in movies. Eventually he sold goods at street fairs off of the back of a large truck. After the marriage to Shirley dissolved in 1980, Ades remarried and divorced again.
While married to his third wife, she gave him a copy of London Labour and the London Poor
London Labour and the London Poor
London Labour and the London Poor is a work of Victorian journalism by Henry Mayhew. In the 1840s he observed, documented and described the state of working people in London for a series of articles in a newspaper, the Morning Chronicle, that were later compiled into book form.-Overview:The...
by Henry Mayhew
Henry Mayhew
Henry Mayhew was an English social researcher, journalist, playwright and advocate of reform. He was one of the two founders of the satirical and humorous magazine Punch, and the magazine's joint-editor, with Mark Lemon, in its early days...
, a contemporary of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
, which recorded the activities of the street sellers of the Victorian period. Ades modelled himself on what Mayhew called "the patterers," most of whom liked to ape the dress and mannerisms of the gentleman.
New York City
After the break-up of his third marriage, and a period resident in IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Ades followed his daughter to New York City, taking up residence in Manhattan.
From 1993 onwards, Ades sold $5 Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
-made metal potato peelers. Known for his engaging sales patter and demonstrations in places such as Union Square Greenmarket
Union Square Greenmarket
The Union Square Greenmarket is a farmers' market in Union Square in Manhattan, New York. It is held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Saturdays are the busiest day of the four. The market is served by a number of local farmers...
, while wearing $1000 Chester Barrie
Chester Barrie
Chester Barrie are a semi-bespoke gentleman's tailor located at №32 Savile Row, London.Founded in 1935 by expatriate English tailor Simon Ackerman, and presently owned by Prominent Europe. The company provides ready-to-wear clothes, as well as bespoke tailoring.-History:At the turn of the 20th...
suits and shirts from Turnbull & Asser
Turnbull & Asser
Turnbull & Asser is a British clothier established in 1885. In addition to its flagship store on Jermyn Street in London, England it also has two United States locations, one in New York City and one in Beverly Hills, California....
. Ades never bothered with a license, meaning that he was often moved on by the New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
. His pitches and lifestyle eventually meant that he became so famous, he was the subject of a Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
article series.
Ades sold enough peelers to enjoy cafe society at the Pierre Hotel, on the Upper East Side, and lived with his fourth wife, Estelle Pascoe (– November 17, 2007) in her three bedroom apartment on Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
.
Ades died on February 1, 2009, only a day after being informed that he had been granted American citizenship.
Legacy
Ades was survived by his daughter and two sons from his first marriage. His daughter, Ruth Ades-Laurent, began selling the peelers in the same spots as her father, but was later forbidden from selling in Union Square.External links
- A-Peeling To The Masses - New York Post video article on Joe Ades
- Impromptu video of Joe Ades (circa November 2008)
- http://blog.flickr.net/en/2009/02/04/rip-joe-ades/