Antique and collectible history

Walker & Hall Heritage & Sterling Silver Guide

Walker & Hall Heritage & Sterling Silver Guide

Walker & Hall was a very successful manufacturing business based in Sheffield, England. 

The company was established in 1845 by George Walker (1816 -1881) who was an experienced electroplate practitioner and his brother-in-law, Samuel Coulson, who put up the capital needed to fund the venture. 

 

 

 

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Elgin American (Illinois Watchcase Company) Accessories & History

Elgin American (Illinois Watchcase Company) Accessories & History

The Elgin American story started when Max Eppenstein began working in the jewellery quarter of New York in the late 1870s. In 1880 Solomon Eppenstein joined his brother and together they ran the M C Eppenstein & Company, (aka Eppenstein Brothers Company). The premises were located at  67 Washington St, Chicago. Initially the firm was only involved in the wholesale jewellery trade. 
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Bourjois Powder Compacts & Heritage

Bourjois Powder Compacts & Heritage

In 1863 the cosmetic firm Bourjois was established on the great boulevards of Paris in the theatre district.  

During this era France was the world's second leading economic power. The famous actor Joseph-Albert Ponsin prepared perfumes and makeup for his fellow actors. Initially these formulations were created in his own home.

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The History of Evans Case Company

The History of Evans Case Company

The Evans Case Company of North Attleboro, MA was a huge concern making accessories in America. Manufacturing between 1920 and 1960. Colonel Obed Robinson who was a skilled blacksmith & clock maker began a jewellery / jewelry business in Attleboro in 1807. The 1812 war meant that soldiers needed buttons & so production was changed to suit this purpose. 
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History of Art Nouveau Gold And Silver

History of Art Nouveau Gold And Silver

Art Nouveau style was first seen in the early 1800s & was almost gone by the time WWI began. Art Nouveau structures graced city spaces, public buildings & also the homes of the wealthy throughout Europe & America. It can be said to be a movement that touched every aspect of life. Instead of being confined to galleries this art is seen in everyday items & transformed them into art. From architecture to textiles, furniture, glassware, jewellery (jewelry), accessories, pottery & graphic design - the world influenced by Art Nouveau was a more beautiful place.
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C. H. Collins & Sons Ltd. Jewellers Zenette Powder Compacts

C. H. Collins & Sons Ltd. Zenette Powder Compacts History And Patents

The brand name Zenette was owned by the Collins family. Their business was styled as C.H. Collins & Sons Ltd. This post includes the inventors names, patents, patent drawings and history relating to this firm.

At the British industries Fair of 1929 they were listed as manufacturers of “Collar studs, sleeve links, ...powder boxes & compacts.”

From the mid 1920s to 1940 Zenette branded compacts were often decorated with highly stylized Art Deco designs.

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Dorothy Gray Compacts History & Heritage

Dorothy Gray Compacts History & Heritage

Without doubt Dorothy Gray compacts are some of the most collectible & eye-catching. During WWI the Company first appeared & its founder was one of those remarkable women who was a pioneer in the cosmetic business. Although today nobody except compact collectors have heard of this lady in her day she was as well known as Helen Rubinstein or Elizabeth Arden.
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Volupte Powder Compacts & Heritage

Volupte Powder Compacts & Heritage

Volupte were considered to be one of the most adventurous America compact makers & were famed for their novelty compacts.

Volupte emerged as market leader in the 1940s and ’50s, producing a range of elegant functional compacts, that epitomized the glamour of the 40’s & 50’s. Vanity cases, and carryalls highly prized by today’s collectors further established the Volupte brand as truly American Hollywood glamour.

Volupte were definitely one of the most ingenious compact manufacturers.

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Vintage Stratton Compact Advertisement History Of Stratton Brand

Stratton Compact Mirrors & History Of Jarrett Rainsford & Laughton & Laughton & Sons Ltd.

The company which was to go on to make the wonderful Stratton brand powder compacts which are so highly collectible today was formed in 1860. This firm was one of the great British companies which manufactured world class products.  These ranged from elegant accessories to marine radios. The business employed a highly skilled and dedicated workforce from 1860 until 1997 when production ceased. We have included an illustrated timeline.

 

 

 

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Coty Compacts & Heritage

Coty Compacts & Heritage

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.
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Cartier Jewelry & Heritage

Cartier Jewelry & Heritage

Société Cartier designs, manufactures, distributes and sells jewellery, watches and other fine items of fashion. The firm was founded in Paris, France in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. The company maintains its headquarters in Paris.
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History Of Adie Brothers Manufacturing Jewellers & Silversmiths

History Of Adie Brothers Manufacturing Jewellers & Silversmiths

The manufacturing firm of Aide Brothers silversmiths is said to have been established in 1879.

The firm was incorporated in 1906 joining the firms of McKewan & Adie (manufacturing jewellers, gold and silversmiths) and Edward Souter Barnsley (box and case makers).

We have included an illustrated timeline which includes patents and patent drawings.

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