GLOSSARY U - Z
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V
Valencia D’Amour. American. A cosmetics line made by the Betty Faye Co, New Haven, Connecticut. Released in 1925 there is evidence of compact cases bearing the Valencia D’Amour brand name, that date to the mid 1920s.
Velva. American. Cosmetics line made by Elizabeth Arden Inc, New York, New York. Launched in 1910 Velva would be the first well known cosmetics brand but became best known for a leg make up released in the early 1940s as a stocking substitute. There are no known compact or vanity cases branded with the Velva line.
Venetian. American. Cosmetics line made by Elizabeth Arden Inc, New York, New York. Launched in 1916 the Venetian line was instrumental in contributing to Elizabeth Arden’s early success. Within the Venetian line there were a number of associated fragrances used to perfume cosmetics products. There are no known compact or vanity cases branded with the Venetian name.
Vernafleur. American. Cosmetics line made by the California Perfume Co, Suffern, New York. Launched in 1926, Vernafleur face powder and rouge was offered in a range of different designs of compact cases between 1927 and 1930. It was the last line to be separately identified by its own name before the Avon brand started to appear in 1930.
Violette de Mai. American. A perfume and cosmetics line made by Colgate Co, New York, New York and first released in about 1913. Violette de Mai was one of a new range of Colgate perfume lines that would be marketed with a full range of cosmetics products. Violette de Mai loose powder was offered in small metal sample boxes but there is no evidence that Violette de Mai was offered in compact form.
Vivani. American. Cosmetics line made by the Benjamin Ansehl Co, St Louis, Missouri. Launched in 1926 under the name Vivani Perfumer, it was probably the only Ansehl line to be associated with compact cases. A striking green case for Vivani rouge was released in the early 1930s. There is no evidence of other compact or vanity cases used for Vivani products.
W
William Schimper Company. American. Established in 1867 in New York, NY as a metal plating business. Started making metal components for pocket books and handbags in 1884. The William Schimper Company started manufacturing vanity cases in C1911 - one of the first companies in The United States to do so. Ceased making vanity cases in C1921.
Winalove. American. A cosmetics line made by Winifred V Loveland Co, New York, New York. Operating initially as a merchandiser of novelties in 1917, the company expanded into toilet preparations, particularly face powder, by 1920, but ceases operations a few years later. Winalove face powder and rouge was marketed in distinctive cardboard cases decorated with embroidered birds. These are quite rare. Also decorated cases for Vantine's.
Wood. American. Albert F Wood, Detroit, Michigan. Manufacturer of toilet specialities operating from the late 19th Century until at least 1923. It was also known as The Sylvan Toilet Company and later as the Satin Skin Laboratory. Its best known brand was ‘Satin’, first used in 1885. Satin face powder was sometimes marketed in a small metal container without a mirror. Surviving examples are very rare.
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