Vanipact De Fleury Compact Mirrors And W B Cartwright Chemists
We are so pleased to find images of the directors, representatives, work force and premises. At the bottom of this post we have included the product listings from the 1932 The Chemist And Druggist detailing De Fleury cosmetics for sale, as well as De Fleury advertisements.
The image above shows the rare and elusive Parfumerie de Fleury powder compact after the sculpture by the Italian artist Antonia Canova. The lid decoration shows in low relief the moment that the god of love, Cupid, revives the lifeless Psyche with his kiss. Awakened from the Sleep of the Innermost Darkness, Psyche reaches up to her lover as he holds her tenderly. The compact was made in the 1930s and the whole piece was described by the makers as 'nickelled'.
The original powder plate is in place and it still has a small amount of very pale face powder.
VIEW THIS RARE ANTIQUE POWDER COMPACT
This antique vanity will hold pans of face powder measuring 42 mm diameter and 4 mm deep. The base is adorned with leaves and a rectangular cartouche signed VANIPACT de Fleury BRITISH MADE. Measures almost 2" and weighs 40.7 grams.
THREE SIRENS VANIPACT DE FLEURY COMPACT
A rare and intriguing 1930s Vanipact de Fleury powder compact. The lid of this antique vanity is adorned with three nudes, which we believe are The Three Sirens. According to the Roman poets Virgil and Ovid, the Sirenum scopuli were three small rocky islands where The Sirens lived and lured sailors to their deaths. The Sirenum Scopuli are situated near to Capri. The whole piece is 'nickelled'. The lid has VANIPACT DE FLEURY in embossed letters. The compact opens to reveal a powder well which can accommodate powder pans measuring 42 mm diameter and 4 mm deep. All clasps and hinges work perfectly. Although the mirror has some age related marks it gives an accurate reflection and it is usable. Measures almost 2" and weighs 39 grams.
The owners of the De Fleury cosmetic line were W B Cartwright Manufacturing Chemists.
DIRECTORS OF W B CARTWRIGHT
W B Cartwright were based in part of the old Larkfield Mill, which was located at Rawdon near Leeds. Mr J Rennie invented the digestion tablets that still bear his name
THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES
L to r: A E Ashley, P Milne, J C Nicholson, J North Brown and B W Dear.
OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES
The company was a very successful concern and orders from the other side of the world were a common event.
Mr Hermon Slade represented W B Cartwright in Australia and Mr S A Smith took care of business in New Zealand.
THE MACHINE ROOM OF W B CARTWRIGHT
W B CARTWRIGHT EMPLOYEES ENGAGED GRANULATING TABLETS
DRUG STOCK ROOM
The company manufactured many patent medicines, including Rennie indigestion tablets.
THE FINISHING AND PACKAGING DEPARTMENT
The image above shows a section of the department dedicated to packaging the medicines and cosmetics.
In the background the supervisor is watching over the workforce.
In this department they appear to be mainly young women.
PART OF THE DISPATCH ROOM
Medicines and the firm’s De Fleury brand cosmetics being packed in wooden crates. It was quite usual for British and American cosmetic companies to adopt French sounding names to market their wares. French perfumes and cosmetics have long been held in high regard and it did no harm at all for companies to appear to have a French connection.
It is believed that the company was eventually taken over by Timothy Whites & Taylor, who were a dispensing chemist chain with a household wares section.
Here are unedited extracts taken from the 1932 The Chemist And Druggist detailing De Fleury products for sale.
Apparently the cosmetics and vanities were very popular. The themes were often romantic and sometimes even erotic and this would caused quite a stir at the time. The compacts shown above would have been from the ‘relief’ series, as they take the form of a sculpture. The Vanipact compacte and lipsticks known as the ‘Vanilip de Fleury’ and ‘De Fleury Lipstick’ were presented in ‘high class new nickelled cases’.
JANUARY 1932 DRUGGIST AND CHEMIST
Here are unedited extracts taken from the 1932 The Chemist And Druggist detailing De Fleury products for sale.
"To the retailer who is determined to make a lot more
money for himself, we ask him to watch the growth of
Parfumerie De Fleury, so that he may quickly become a
' 'necessity' ' - -instead of just a ' ' trying-so-hard-
to-please-them-salesman ."
Display Parfumerie De Fleury and then see
your Sales and Profits increase
HERE ARE SOME QUICK SELLERS
1. De Fleury face powder
The proportions of the constituents of this fine powder
are so accurately adjusted as to enable the powder to
be applied easily and yet to stay on, so making frequent
powdering unnecessary. In highly artistic boxes in an
entirely new finish, retail 6d., i/-, 1/9.
2. De Fleury skin creams
De Fleury Day Cream is presented in the beautiful
Versailles vase, retail 2/-, and in miniature handbag size
screw cap jars, retail 6d. and lod. Foundation Cream
and Cleansing Cold Cream are in new, handsomely
decorated collapsible tubes, retail 9d. (handbag size)
and 1/3.
3. De Fleury perfumes
Six unique De Fleury perfumes are issued, so that all
tastes may be suited. All most artistically presented —
Lady Gay, Salutation, Winged Wishes, Episode, In the
Dawn, Rhythm — retail i/-,i/9, 2/9 (handbag sizes), 3/6,
5/6, 8/6, etc. The larger sizes are in presentation cases
of original design.
4. De Fleury compactes
De Fleury " Vanipacts " are now issued in numerous
designs, all accompanied bv excellent display matter.
The " Relief" series retails at 2/6, the " Salon" series
at 2/-, and the " Wedgwood " series (blue and green)
at 2/6. All the boxes are British, of highly artistic
decoration.
5. De Fleury lipstick
Vanilip De Fleury is presented in high-class new
nickelled British cases. Display stands of a new kind
are issued. Another form of De Fleury Lipstick is now
available. This is dry, non-greasy, merely requiring
moistening before use. Sample on application.
Ask us to send along full details
Better Goods— Better Sales PARFUMERIE DE FLEURY RAWDON LEEDS "
In 1932 six De Fleury perfumes were available. Lady Gray was one of them. Handbag sizes of Lady Gay, Salutation, Winged Wishes, Episode, In The Dawn and Rhythm could be purchased. The firm also supplied larger sizes presented in luxurious presentation cases.
De Fleury PARFUM "EPISODE"
Which is the greater thrill, the first delightful whiff of Parfum Episode by
De Fleury, or the slow ecstasy as the olfactory nerves convey to the memory
the exquisite blended fragrances in this perfume, rich and rare?
Such is the magic of its blending that to all beneath its spell.
Parfum Episode provides an unforgettable experience, disturbingly beautiful.
Sources:
The Druggist And Chemist.
Aireborough Historical Society.
