If you, like me, are addicted to vintage vanity items; if you are a sucker for a pretty package, even if it is empty, then you’ll be interested in these guides I adore.

My three favorite books on collecting vintage compacts, carryalls, and other beauty accessories are:

Powder Compacts: A Collector’s Guide (Miller’s Collector’s Guides) by Juliette Edwards

While this book is dedicated to compacts only (a few vanity cases too), and just 64 pages (including glossary and index), it is loaded with color photos and great information. If you are starting out collecting vintage powder compacts, this is a fab guide. (Even those who have been collecting awhile will enjoy the information and the photos.)

One of the best things about this smaller paperback is that it is rather concise. It gives a brief history overview and then is organized by decades, themes and country of origin, so that you can easily get a feel for specific types. If you are on a modest budget but still want a small & tight collection (compacts from a certain period or maker etc.) you can easily get the basics here.

As for pricing, it is the newest of the three guides. This book also includes compacts from the 1990’s and has a nice chapter with simple tips on caring for your vintage compacts.

These next two guides cover more than compacts and flapjacks — there are powder puffs, vanity purses, powder boxes, plis, carry-alls, vanity cases, patters etc. — so if you’re easily tempted, you may not want to look…

Vintage Compacts & Beauty Accessories by Lynell Schwartz

This guide also gives a history of cosmetics, and includes (thruought the book) vintage photographs from vintage publications, stores, advertising/retail displays, manufacturing plants, catalogs, print advertisements etc. I think this adds quite a bit to the value of the guide because I love seeing the context for these items.

This is a hardcover book (11.25 x 8.75 inches), with 192 pages (including index) and it’s full of great information and wonderful photos. There’s at least one photo per page (I don’t think there’s a single page without photos). Most photos are in color, though many of the old photos of stores etc. are obviously black and white. And there are items in here I’ve never seen anywhere else.

This really is a gem of a book that a collector at any level will appreciate (or hate for making you covet more objects!).

Collector’s Encyclopedia of Compacts Carry Alls & Face Powder Boxes by Laura M. Mueller

An even larger hardcover (11.25 x 8.75 inches), with 319 pages (including glossary and index), this book covers many more individual items and is generous with photographs. (Again, many are objects which I can only dream of owning myself.) Instead of photos of single items, this book uses groupings (with each item clearly labeled and described for easy identification). Some may like this more, others less, than the photos of single items — I myself like the ability to visualize scale with the objects side-by-side.

This book does not have as many historical photos as Schwartz’s, but it does have many more vintage beauty product advertisements — most of which are full page prints — and in fact has one whole chapter of ‘miscellaneous ads’ which the author apparently couldn’t fit in well in the other chapters. (They are very lovely themselves and often more affordable or an easier (less intimidating) purchase for new collectors.)

Once again, there is plenty of history and passion here, and no collector will be disappointed.

While Schwartz’s may have more powder puffs, patters and plis, Mueller’s book has so many more compacts, vanity cases and tins etc; these books sure aren’t redundant. Which is why with so many lovely items (and information) both books are equally valued by me.

While I am overall suspicious of the accuracy of collector price guides to determine fair pricing (because fair is determined by the marketplace — actual buyers — and that changes continually), guides like these do help you determine authentic pieces from fakes as well as to learn (and avoid) potential problems — in that sense, spending money on guides like these will save you money for years to come. (And those of you browsing thrift stores, visiting shoppes & boutiques will have some idea if the price is fair.)

More than typical price guides, these books you a look at the history & charm of these precious pieces. Collectors of vintage beauty items will enjoy all the historical information in these collector guides, and those using online auctions and stores will know what words and terms to search with.

But beware, the tons of beautiful photos tease you into wanting more of these vintage beauty items and compacts which, while smaller and easier to display than other collectibles, can surely take over your boudoir in a snap!

Throughout history, women have used cosmetics to enhance their natural gifts. Lipstick was applied for a more kissable mouth, rouge for a becoming blush on the cheeks, and at one point lead was used to achieve a pale complexion (yikes!). For eliminating shine, loose powder was the cosmetic of choice, and where there was powder there was a compact.

The compact came into popularity after World War I and could soon be found in the purse of the average modern woman. Due to a decrease in production it fell out of use during the years that World War II was raging, but came roaring back in the following decade. However, the advent of pressed powder in disposable containers was the death knell for the old decorative compacts. Though the use of compacts has fallen to the wayside over the years, these attractive containers have emerged as a hot item among collectors.

Designs followed the trends of the times, such as the Art Deco compacts popular in the twenties and thirties. Compacts were often made of metal and were decorated with enamel, paintings, gems and even butterfly wings. Some were outfitted with gadgets that played music at the touch of a button. Others were created by famous designers, such as the Coty “puffs” compact designed by noted glassmaker Rene Lalique.

Condition is key when purchasing compacts for a collection, particularly since these items were used often and knocked around in handbags. Make sure the compact opens and closes properly. On the outside of the compact, look out for scratches, scuffing, chipping and damaged paint. On the inside, check that the mirror is not loose or broken. Finally, keep in mind that the value of the piece will increase if the original powder puff and powder sifter are still inside.

This article about collecting compacts includes tips for caring for your collection. http://www.lady.co.uk/articles/0146artA.cfm?framed=y