Antique and collectible history / vintage powder compacts

August Goertz And Co Antique Advertisement

August Goertz & Co Antique Compacts Designs And Patents

The banner image shows an advertising listing place by August Goertz & Co. in the Newark Directory in 1914. 

August Goertz & Co. manufactured powder compacts for many different companies. 

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Alfred H Smith Importer Djer Kiss Catalogue

A Brief History Of Djer Kiss Brand Importer Alfred H. Smith Company

Rowland Holbrook Smith (1879-1920) was born on 14 December 1879 in New York City, USA.

Rowland's father, Alfred Holbrook Smith was president and founder of the Alfred H. Smith Company, which originally focused on importing brushes.

Later on the business was expanded to include the importation of toiletries, vanity boxes and perfumes. 

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Houppette Pli Antique Powder Puff

History Of Houppette Pli, Advertisements, Patents & Patent Drawings

The retractable powder puffs known as Houppette Pli were patented designs attributed to Leon Svirsky and Alexandre Willk. 

The advertisement shown above depicts the Houppetti Pli and other vanities which Willk marketed.

 

 

 

 

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Yardley Compact Mirrors History & Heritage

Yardley Compact Mirrors History & Heritage

Yardley is one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the world. It is said to date to a time earlier than the Great Fire of London (1666). Although this statement can not be proved, there is no doubt that the company was established a little before 1770 by Samuel Cleaver. On the death of Samuel Cleaver in 1805 in his wife and four sons inherited the business. They traded under the name of Cleaver Brothers. Notices declaring bankruptcy were issued against the four brothers in 1813.  William Cleaver managed to obtain the wherewithal to keep the business afloat as William Cleaver & Company until 1823, when he was again declared bankrupt. WilliamYardley, who was related by marriage, to the Cleaver family purchased the business in 1823.
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