The second item that Joe spotted at our poke in the Antiques Mall was one mysterious vintage compact. After pouring our eyes over the compacts there [none of which
really grabbed me] we found one compact bagged up, the bag being stapled
shut and a price of $6.50 labelled upon it. It looked a bit of a state
and another label covered what remained of it's original powder label on
it's bottom so no assumptions over it's manufacture could be really
made, but for the price it was going it was a bit of a thrill taking the
risk. Then on a closer inspection I could see a J and an R initial
design upon the top - matching mine and Joe's that alone compelled me [well for Joe] to
buy it.
Getting back to the car and a quick pulling and grabbed it out of
it's bag opening it up revealed a complete tray of powder, an intact
and fairly clear mirror and a clean unused Coty puff. As a manufacturer Coty went between marking and not marking their compacts,
if they didn't have a powder well lid often their brand name could be
found on the powder label on the bottom, but as I've previously
mentioned this was covered by a sticky label and my careful attempts to
take it off just parted what remained of the label - this is why
stickers should never be used upon vintage or antique items, ever.
The top of the compact itself has a fabric metal appearance, with parts
of the top being marked [can't complain with the price paid however].
The initialed design could even have been added later as there seems to
be glue marks surrounding the metal which should never have been there if it was originally produced with the compact.
This compact is a bit of a mystery and one I'll keep looking into. But I guess that's part of the fun, right?