Coty Compacts & Heritage
1874 was the year in which François Coty was born. His full name was Joseph Marie François and the birth took place in Spoturno, Ajaccio, Corsica. His mother, Marie-Adolphine-Françoise Coti, died when he was very young. His father disappeared a few years later. His great-grandmother was said to be responsible for his care during his early childhood. In 1887, François was moved to Marseilles to live with his grandmother, Anna Maria Belone Spoturno.
FRANCOIS COTY
In 1900 Coty married Yvonne le Baron and it is in this year he was said to have entered the perfume trade after he was introduced to Raymond Goëry who owned a pharmacy on the Avenue de la Motte-Piquet.
PLACE VENDOME
In 1902, François Coty opened a business at Place Vendôme to sell Le Bouquet Idéal along with a range of Essences Très Concentrées, Sachets and Coffrets-Sultanas. François opened the business using the name Coty – a variation of his mother’s family name. 1904 saw the firm, Coty S. A. founded in Paris. The perfume released in this year was La Rose Jacqueminot.
LA ROSE JACQUEMINOT
In 1904 Francois Coty founded his company in Paris. His dream was to revolutionize perfume making. In 1908, Coty relocated his manufacturing headquarters to Suresnes.
He acquired property and began to turn the area a center of excellence dedicated to the manufacture of perfume, to realize his dreams.
La cite des parfums would, at its height employ in the region of 9000 staff.
It had the capacity to manufacture 100,000 bottles of perfume a day.
Coty knew that he needed to appeal to a wider clientele & he had to make his cosmetics more affordable. Hugely influential artists, designers & artisans were used to create the luxurious nature of this brand.
Rene Lalique & the Glassworks of Baccarat were engaged to produce the most gorgeous creations in which Coty sold his perfumes.
Products as luxurious as Rene Lalique glass had never been made available to the mass market & these eye-catching works of art enhanced Coty’s standing in the trade.
Coty’s dream was to revolutionize perfume making.
1906 saw Coty breakthrough into the American market.
LA CITE DES PARFUMS AT SURESNES-SUR-SEINE
In 1908, Coty relocated his manufacturing headquarters to Suresnes.
He acquired property and began to turn the area into a center of excellence, dedicated to the manufacture of perfume.
La Cite des Parfums employed in the region of 9000 staff at the height of its production. It had the capacity to manufacture 100,000 bottles of perfume a day.
The firm established subsidiaries in London and Moscow in 1910.
In 1912 an American branch was opened on 714 Fifth Avenue, New York.
COTY COUNTER AT SELFRIDGES LONDON 1912
Coty knew that he needed to appeal to a wider clientele & he had to make his cosmetics more affordable. Hugely influential artists, designers & artisans were used to create wonderful designs to enhance the luxurious appeal of this brand. Rene Lalique & the Glassworks of Baccarat were engaged to produce the most gorgeous creations in which Coty sold his perfumes.
RENE LALIQUE
LALIQUE COTY PERFUME FLACONS
Products as luxurious as Rene Lalique glass had never been made available to the mass market & these eye-catching works of art enhanced Coty’s standing in the trade.
COTY BUILDING AT 714 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK
LALIQUE GLASS
René Lalique embellished glass windows covered the whole of the third floor
In 1922 Coty, Inc. was formed in New York.
The location of the new laboratories and assembly plant was 423 West 55th Street, New York.
The prestigious address of Walmar House, 298 Regent Street, London was the location for the Coty showroom in 1924.
One year later Coty Inc. (US) becomes a publicly traded company.
New products for the year 1927 Colcreme Coty & Creme de Coty.
The expansion continued and in 1928 Coty bought Marie Earl and Marcel Franck, a French maker of atomisers.
1929 products included Cotytan, Eau de Coty (Special Astringent), Tissue Cream & Potonique (Skin Tonic).
COTY TAN 1929
In 1930 the Men’s line was repackaged to have a wider appeal.
COTY 1931
1931 product launch of Liquefying Cleansing Cream.
Followed by Indelible Lipstick a year later.
1935 Air Spun Face Powder is the product of this year.
COTY ART DECO LIPSTICK
In 1936 Coty Manufacturing Co. Ltd. amalgamates with Coty (England), Ltd. The Avocado Line features - Avocado Beauty Milk and Avocado Beauty Soap.
1937 Airspun Rouge became available.
1938 both Foundation Lotion & Avocado Shaving Stick were for sale.
The 1940s saw the production of various inventive powder compacts such as the famous novelty Envelope Compact.
VIEW THIS ICONIC VINTAGE COTY ENVELOPE COMPACT
Such an iconic vanity!
A super unused Coty Envelope Vanity!
The brass was lacquered at the point of manufacture which means it will not tarnish nor need to cleaned.
As you can see the compact is made to look like an envelope.
The lid and base are decorated with an engine turned design of tiny diamond shapes.
A smooth gold tone border defines the shape of this exquisite vanity.
All clasps and hinges work perfectly.
The lid opens to reveal the gleaming golden interior fitted with the original signed puff, protective paper cover, pouch (envelope vanity protector) and mirror.
The mirror gives a good and accurate reflection.
The powder well lid is signed Coty.
COTY ENVELOPE COMPACT WITH FELT SEAL IN PLACE
Some vintage powder compacts were made with a felt insert fitted into the sides of the powder well and so they do not need a sifter to be used with loose foundation.
This felt forms a seal when the powder well lid is shut.
This is one such compact.
This compact is suitable for use as a stylish handbag mirror, for use with all loose foundation and also as a cherished display collectible.
The original pouch is well made, luxurious and lined with high quality soft wool felt.
COTY ENVELOPE COMPACT IN THE ORIGINAL BOX
The original presentation case is embellished with the Coty crest & the following in words in gilt lettering.
Measures 9 cm x 6.7 cm and weighs 135.5 grams.
You can find out more on the history behind this revered perfumer in our bespoke fact packs that come with every order.
More highly collectible vintage powder compacts.
Please note that although we spend many hours each month updating or compiling new work for our historical blog section which is free to view, we do not offer an appraisal, identification, valuation or dating service to members of the public.
We do not purchase stock from private sellers.
However, each purchase from our store is shipped with a lavishly illustrated history which dates the item and details the history of the item and that of the maker.
This post was updated on November 30 2024 by Danielle Boyd.
