VINTAGE SILVER TONE POWDER COMPACT HARRIET HUBBARD AYER

Description

Early embossed compact measuring 2" in size. Center cartouche is marked HHA in raised letters for Harriet Hubbard Ayer, the trademark name registered in 1926 by Vincent B. Thomas for his New York cosmetics. Decorated in a petal and ray design and accented with tiny rim stars on both sides, it has a tiny pres lever for accessing the interior - compact is fitted with loose powder, original screen, hinged cover which protects the rouge powder
Condition is very nice with minor usage wear to the exterior - the original powder puff is missing - no other damage. Just a lovely, early powder compact and holder - wonderful addition to any collection!
This is a great Harriet Hubbard Ayer silver tone dual compact. The top lid has a centered circle with HHA in raised lettering within. This circle is flanked with 3 frames of progressively larger flower petals. There are then outward radiating lines, that lead to the stars within a circle frame. The back of the compact is designed like the front, with the exception of the center circle...which on the back, is much smaller and is plain shiny metal. What I find unusual about this compact, is the opener. It is on the front of the top lid, and actually has the word "PRESS" impressed onto the top of it. Once you'd press on it, the lid pops up for you to fully open. This opens to reveal a metal self mirror divider in the lid, and a screen covered loose powder sifter in the base. There is a thumbnail cutout on the metal divider, by the compact hinge, which when lifted, reveals the cake rouge in the lid. There are some deterioration spots on the interior of the metal self mirror divider...see pix. There is a little curved metal tab that holds the divider closed when you are done with the rouge. The interior of the lid, by the hinge & divider tab, is where you find the patent # impressed: 1592184, which would date this to 1926. This compact measures about 2" across and is about 3/4" thick at the middle