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Rare vintage “Beauty Hints by Zell” book-form vanity compact, dating to the 1930s era.
Designed to resemble a tiny bound book, this unusual Zell compact has a cream-colored textured cover with an embossed flower basket and bow, metal corner protectors, and “BEAUTY HINTS BY ZELL” embossed on the spine.
Inside is the original vanity arrangement with a large mirror, bright pink/red lining, pink fabric powder applicator, and a hinged metal makeup compartment.
Especially interesting is the handwritten paper that was found stored with the compact and will remain with it. It reads:
“Won at YWCA
Halloween Party
1935”
If the note has remained with the compact since that time, it strongly suggests this was won as a prize at a YWCA Halloween party in 1935. I’m leaving the note with the compact exactly as found rather than separating the two.
The exterior shows age-appropriate wear, spotting, discoloration and edge wear. The metal corner protectors and interior metal have patina and oxidation. The original mirror has substantial age-related foxing/desilvering, creating the dramatic dark branching pattern visible in the photographs. The pink powder applicator is still present.
Nothing has been polished or restored.
Measures approximately 3¼ inches tall. Please see the ruler photo for scale.
A wonderful piece for a collector of antique powder compacts, vintage vanity items, Zell collectibles, Art Deco-era beauty accessories, book-form compacts, 1930s ephemera, or women’s social history.
The original handwritten “Won at YWCA Halloween Party 1935” note shown in the photographs is included.
Please review all photographs closely for condition.
Carefully packed for shipping
