Historical And Patent Information About The Pygmalion Brand Compacts
Research carried out by powder compact specialist Juliette Edwards reveals that the Pygmalion name was owned by British company S. D. Rand Ltd., which was based in London. The Pygmalion brand name was registered for cosmetic boxes by Salo David Rand in 1942. S. D. Rand Ltd was incorporated in 1949.
Salo David Rand's principal business premises were located at 5-6, Argyll Street, Oxford Circus, London, W 1. Oxford Circus is a road junction connecting the highly prestigious areas of Oxford Street and Regent Street in the West End of London. The junction opened in 1819 as part of the redevelopment of Regent Street which was masterminded by John Nash. The area was originally known as Regent Circus North. Many of the impressive buildings on Argyll Street are Grade II listed buildings. The word circus in this instance does not relate to fair grounds. The many references to the word circus in London locations comes from the Latin root 'circ', for circle, as these junctions are intersections of so many roads that they become circular, hence circus.
Rand has often been described as being a businessman who commissioned companies to make powder compacts, vanity sets and accessories for his Pygmalion brand. Rand’s firm would finish the vanities and package them in boxes proudly displaying the Pygmalion brand name.
PYGMALION GLOBE THE ORIGINAL BOX & ACCESSORIES
London souvenir compacts were very popular in the mid-twentieth century. In the 1930s, 40s and 50s feelings of patriotism were very strong in many parts of the British Isles and so gifts which featured the royal family or famous landmarks were much in demand. Although production of luxury products would have mostly ceased during World War II (1939 - 1945) is it sometimes possible to find powder compacts which were crafted during or immediately after the war which depict the capital city in the war years.
PYGMALION LONDON SOUVENIR COMPACT
This Pygmalion brand loose powder compact was made in the 1940s. The pictorial inlay is intriguing. The red buses are Wartime London AEC RT Buses. They are depicted in full wartime livery with regulation blackout lighting. Typical English made rotund and sturdy cars can also be seen. Gentlemen in suits on their way to work are walking along Westminster Bridge. In the background the imposing sight of The Houses of Parliament. Around the pictorial inlay is a gilt engraved border. The powder compact has an inner lid engraved with a complex guilloche design. The mirror bezel is inscribed MADE IN ENGLAND. The original leatherette puff is signed Pygmalion.
The globe compacts with an impressed map of the world are some of the most iconic Pygmalion vanities.
PYGMALION CREATIONS ADVERTISEMENT 1951
The Globe is included in a Pygmalion/Rand advertisement of February 1951. The tagline of Latest Pygmalion Creations and the enchanting images gave the viewers a tantalising glimpse of highly inventive vanities which were marketed as luxury gifts. Other models in the globe series feature various patterns on their metal exteriors.
Advertisements featuring Pygmalion products appear to cease in the mid 1950s, making it a very short-lived company. Although S. D. Rand patented various designs of vanities, his company was principally focused on importing, finishing and selling compacts, rather than manufacturing them.
UNUSED PYGMALION GLOBE COMPACT
One of the most sought-after Pygmalion compacts is the gold and silver tone globe.
This delightful two tone version of the Pygmalion Globe Compact Map Of The World is presented with the original box, pouch, puff and sifter. The countries are decorated with a golden lacquered finish. The seas and oceans are shown in silver tone with a satin-like finish. Each country, the seas and oceans are all stamped with their names. The lines of longitude and latitude are also shown. The whole item has been crafted with great attention to detail which is typical for the Pygmalion and Kigu brand Globe Map Of The World novelty powder compacts.
The inner lid is embellished with beautiful gilt guilloche engraving. The puff is signed Pygmalion in gilt lettering. Measures approximately 5.5 cm diameter and stands 2 cm high. Weighs 63.3 grams.
VIEW THIS 1950S PYGMALION GLOBE POWDER COMPACT
The example shown above appears not to have been lacquered and as a consequence it has acquired the most gorgeous patina. The compact is a deep golden brown.
In 1949 Kigu Ltd. manufactured a small number of sterling silver globe loose powder compacts.
The interior powder well of these models is stamped -
' "PYGMALION" No 1960 MADE IN ENGLAND PATENT PENDING.'
We have not been able to find this patent yet but we will add it to this blog if we do.
Scroll down to see some of S. D. Rand's patented designs and their patents.
VIEW THIS PYGMALION GLOBE COMPACT
This beautiful Pygmalion Globe loose powder compact has the lustrous sheen of gilded brass.
We know that Rand was a prolific inventor and that some of the most iconic vanities were his inventions.
The patent applications and drawings shown below were submitted by Salo David Rand on August 23 1948.
He described this design as -
PATENT 652544
S. D. Rand lodged patent applications for novelty powder compacts, including one that looks remarkably like the Petit Boudoir - a little table with legs and an internal powder compartment.
677,195. Powder compacts. RAND, S. D. Dec. 12, 1950 [June 26, 1950], No. 15926/50. Class 18 A powder compact has legs 16 hinged to the base. The legs may be mounted in pairs and be acted upon by springs 21 for retention in either their collapsed or extended position.
Another one of S.D. Rand's patent applications was for a clear dome to cover artificial flowers located in the lid of a loose powder compact.
676,811. Powder compacts. RAND, S. D. Dec. 14,1950 [Jan. 13,1950], No. 949/50. Class 18 The lid of a powder compact comprises an upper transparent convex lamina 27 and a lower lamina 28 between which a decorative article, such as a sprig of artificial flowers 29 is mounted. A mirror 30 is fitted.
VIEW THIS PYGMALION BASKET COMPACT
The puff has a salmon pink felt top and a pale pink sash. The sifter is the card edged type where the mesh is sewn onto the card to make it rigid, so that it forms a snug fit in the powder well. It is neatly sewn with clean cream silk thread which also holds the cream silk tab in place. Measures 2 1/4 inches diameter. Weighs 68.4 grams.
The well known Pygmalion Sonata piano shaped novelty compact was also patented by S. D. Rand. At the time of this patent application the firm was also located at Carnaby House, 29 Beak Street, London, W1. From later patent applications we can see that the business address of 5-6 Argyll Street, Oxford Circus, London was still being used.
Improvements in or relating to powder compacts
Abstract
719,710. Powder compacts. RAND, S. D. Sept. 30, 1952, [Oct. 12, 1951.] No. 23850/51. Addition to 677,195. Class 18. The powder compact of the parent Specification is made in the form of a grand piano, only three legs being provided, two of which 17, 18 are connected together and hinged to the tray by a bar 20 which also carries a member 21 of substantially the same length as the legs. The legs 17, 18 are carried by pivots 19 and the bar 20 co-operates with a spring member secured to the interior of the tray, Fig. 5 (not shown) and projecting through apertures 35, 36, to retain the legs either in the erect or collapsed position. The other leg 22 is pivoted at 24 and also co-operates with the spring member.
Rand also lodged a German patent application for this novelty piano loose powder compact in the same year.
He also patented improvements to vacuum cleaners, medicine storage wallets, combined combs and hair brushes, torches, pencil and ink erasers and electric fans.
Rand purchased part finished vanities from England, Germany, Austria and Japan. Kigu Ltd. manufactured globe and basket shaped compacts for S. D. Rand. The owners of Kigu Ltd. liked these vanities so much that they began making their own globe and basket compacts. The rim of the powder well wall of the Kigu brand novelty compacts was often stamped Bouquet.
S. D. Rand's London based firm was not in business for long. It is known they were finishing & selling compacts in the 1940s & 1950s. In the 1950s they regularly bought novelty compacts made by A. S. Brown & Co. Ltd., who were the owners of the Mascot brand.
The most well known of these being the highly collectible novelty powder compacts in the shape of a handbag or suitcase.
S.D. Rand Limited was registered on 25 March 1949 but is now dissolved under Company Number 00466244.
Not all Pygmalion brand vanities were classed as novelty compacts. Below is a loose powder compact with a traditional scene from country life.
HORSE AND HOUNDS COMPACT MIRROR
The Pygmalion 'Beauty Mirror' was similar in construction to a powder compact, except that a handle on a hinge would unfold. On some models the handles were made from an ivory substitute known as Ivorine, also known as French ivory.
Pygmalion perfume atomizers were also sold in the 1950s. They are stamped PYGMALION FOREIGN. Some of the atomizers were made to resemble cigarette lighters. It is believed that some Pygmalion brand accessories were made in Germany, possibly by the makers of the Emrich brand.
On May 22 1951 S. D. Rand applied to patent a design of vanity set. The application was successful. The complete specification was published on August 19 1953.
The vanity set comprises a comb, a clothes-brush and mirror in a drawstring bag which is made of a flexible material, for example, chamois leather.
PATENT 695749
PATENT 695749
On January 28 1953 Rand had another patent complete specification published.
PATENT 686812
This invention concerns ornamental devices and more particularly relates to fobs or the like for attachment to a key ring although the device may be applied to powder compacts, lipstick holders, cigarette cases, cigarette lighters, and other similar articles.
PATENT 686812
In 1958 Rand collaborated with another inventor named Benjamin Arthur Freeman. They successfully applied to patent a vacuum cleaner which was small enough to be held in one hand.
An adorable vintage Pygmalion compact mirror. The pictorial inlay is embellished with a building bearing a wall sign which reads Ring O Bells. The lid decoration is in excellent condition because it is protected by the original clear cover. The whole compact is decorated with a gilt finish which will protect it from tarnishing. The original powder well insert, signed puff and sifter are present.
S. D. Rand was the brother of William Rand, the President of William Rand Incorporated.
We will try to find information about these remarkable businessmen and their families. If we do find more details we will be delighted to add it to this blog. If you are related to these business owners or their employees we would love to include the information you have.
Unfortunately, Salo David Rand passed away on August 2 1964.
His obituary appeared in the August 9 1964 edition of The New York Times.
RAND-Salo David.
The associates and employees of William Rand, Inc.,
regretfully record the untimely passing of Mr. Salo David Rand, brother of
their president, William Rand, in London, England, on Aug. 2.
Our sympathies are with the widow, Mrs. Rosl. Rand,
and Mr. and Mrs. William Rand.
See more wonderful vintage compacts.
Danielle Boyd updated this article in August 2022.
Sources:
Juliette Edwards
BCCS
New York Times
