A Detroit compact - the Trio-ette

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!

Yellow and blue plastic compact

For me, unmarked compacts end up being some of my favourites. Possibly because it's that air of added mystery and the challenge of trying to find just something no matter how small out about them. This bright yellow and navy blue compact is one we have on eBay this week it's unbranded and unmarked - a right little mystery. It's plastic construction leads me to think it's somewhat early [as in the 1930s] and I have a similar Chicago Buckingham Fountain design which dates from that era. Regardless it's still a beauty even if it's somewhat used and is without it's puff and doesn't that yellow make the blue just pop?

The navy blue section lifts up to reveal the powder well rimmed with a metal edging and remains complete with a plastic looking stiff. It's in a fairly good condition, the bottom is a little marked but that has to be expected with older compacts. To me these marks show the compacts had a life and been used, I'd prefer that over the pristine compacts I will be honest.

Make sure to check this compact out and out other items this week on ebay.

Compact for a cat lady

More contemporary compacts can delight me as much as their older ancestors and what more could a wannabe cat lady like myself need than a compact not only featuring, but moulded into the shape of a cat?! This plastic compact is marked "Hong Kong" on the bottom and is otherwise free of markings, it's even without a mirror - just a very unused pan. Regardless I love the simplistic cat face moulded into the top of the compact with the lip on the bottom pan curling out like a tail. We purchased this one in a lot for reselling but I couldn't let this one slip away - not when we already have two kitties in the household. He'll be staying with me a while.