As a feminist, I have a complicated, conflicted, relationship with beauty pageants. But this vintage booklet from the 1923 Mineralava Beauty Pageant fascinates me because of the man involved: Rudolph Valentino. Not just some master of ceremonies, Valentino was both the star and the prize of this contest: “The Most Beautiful Woman In America May … Continue reading Of Valentino, Mineralava Beauty Pageants & Pink Powder Puffs
I have a modest collection of vintage vanity items; my collection and I have even been featured in Collectors News magazine. Included in my collection are various vintage powder tins, compacts, and refills. Once you get past the pretty packaging (which I’ll admit might take some time!), you notice the names of shades of old … Continue reading Collecting Vintage Cosmetics: See What’s Taken A Powder In Vintage Makeup Name-Calling
This vintage photograph is pretty enough to display with your vanity collectibles! The 8 X 10 glossy photo features Brenda Marshall wearing a feather-trimmed peignoir sitting at a vanity table applying a powder puff to her bare shoulder. Circa 1940, the seller of this photograph offers the following details: Captured by Scotty Welbourne for Warner … Continue reading Vintage Warner Brothers Studio Cosmetic Photo Featuring Brenda Marshall
Some lovely vanity collectibles from stainedglasssonia: A vintage Chinese hand mirror with a hand-painted geisha on the porcelain back, an intricately embossed silver metal settings and celadon jade handle. In original box. A hand-painted Victorian powder box with original powder puff. An Art Deco handbag made glass beads featuring a fabulous peacock.
This photo, titled Makeup, Central Park, was taken by Frank Paulin 1955. The photograph itself is a 20 x 16 inches gelatin silver print, signed and dated on verso. But what’s most fascinating to me is the powder compact, clearly from Coty. The Coty Airspun powder-puff design debuted in 1939 and now has been around … Continue reading Airspun In Central Park
More things for collectors to learn from that 1940’s Hint Hunt booklet — this time the tips could explain some condition issues you find with vintage vanity collectibles. These vintage beauty and cosmetic tips explain why you might just spot pinholes in powder boxes and find beads in perfume bottles. For me, such pin pricks … Continue reading Vintage Beauty & Cosmetic Tips Explain Vanity Collectible Conditions
My mom has listed these pair of Julia Marlowe boots. Julia Marlowe (August 17, 1865 – November 12, 1950) was a famous stage actress. But why would a famous Shakespearean actress lend her name to a shoe? Was she just a heel? *wink* The best I can do share the following tantalizing tidbits… One, as … Continue reading Julia Marlowe, Selling Stuff From Head To Toe
Antiquips Pickin & Grinin Pick: This is going to be our first article for Inherited Values so let’s show off some of our unusual collectibles. Grin: How about your hand mirrors? You are always bragging to anyone that will listen, just how great you think they are and how well you display them. Pick: Oh, … Continue reading Introducing Pickin & Grinin, The Collecting Couple
