Drooling through reference books and searching eBay you start constructing a mental wish list of all the compacts you would dream of owning regardless of money. More often then not, these wish list items are the more noted and valued compacts within the circle of collectors. And the Trio-ette would be one of mine especially because of it's links to Detroit.
The Trio-ette has always been considered as one of the most practical and playful of powder compacts after being launched in 1945. Distributed under the Detroit based House of Plate the trio-ette was a triple based compact - one side holding powder, a branded puff and sift, the other side held rogue and a puff of its own and lastly, the handle held a matching lipstick. This multifunctional approach to women's cosmetics led the House of Plate as describing it as "the amazing new triple compact that blows make up fatigue and bag fumbling".
Upon it's top is a raised rose design one inspired by Victorian hand held cameo mirrors with bobble edging. The trio-ette was made from Terite - an early plastic and was released in several colours - mock ebony, ivory and tortoise shell as well as in green, pink and blue sold with a gift box and refills available.
In the mid 1940s the tiro-ette sold for $5 and was later reached the UK shores after being sold through a London based mail order company by 1949. Today, references book suggest a commanding a price between $100-$250 with blue, pink and green coloured Trio-ettes selling higher price. Although they can be noted as selling around the $40 mark on Ebay.
If anyone ever comes across one, please point it in my direction!
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