{"product_id":"vintage-gold-tone-and-dark-fabric-elgin-american-purse-compact-featuring-an-ornate-ea-monogram-medallion-on-the-cover","title":"Vintage Elgin American Carryall, Gold-Tone, Integrated Lipstick, Engraved Foliate Border and Interior Laurel Cartouche, Original Branded Puff, 1950s American, Storage Wear Noted","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEverything a woman needed for an evening. In one gold case.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe carryall was the most ambitious form in mid-century American vanity production: a single gold-tone case that opened to reveal a full-width mirror, a powder compartment, and an integrated lipstick holder — the complete evening ritual in one object. Elgin American of Elgin, Illinois were among the finest producers of the form, and this is a characteristic example of their work at its most elegant: a large rectangular case in a deep warm gold plate, the lid face a single polished unornamented panel, the body sides carrying a fine engraved acanthus or foliate scroll border along the upper rim. This was made to be carried to the theatre. It looks the part.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen the lid and the full-width mirror occupies the entire face. Lift the inner lid and a beautifully engraved laurel wreath cartouche medallion is revealed in gold relief at the centre of the inner lid face — a detail that is invisible until the compact is in use, a considered piece of design for the woman using it rather than the woman looking at it. The base section below is the powder compartment. The integrated lipstick tube slots into the right-hand housing and is gold-tone throughout, domed cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe original Elgin American branded puff is present: pale aqua mint fabric with the Elgin American script embossed in gold on the ribbon tab. The interior accessories are new.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCondition points to note, all visible in the close-up photos: a patch of blue-green verdigris oxidation at the corner of the engraved foliate border at the lid and body join, approximately 4-5mm; fine surface scratches to the polished lid face; a small cluster of oxidation flecks to the domed cap of the lipstick tube; moderate foxing to the mirror surface, dispersed across the glass in patches. The powder compartment interior and all accessories are new and unused.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Particulars:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Elgin American, Elgin, Illinois, USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForm: Rectangular carryall with integrated lipstick holder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExterior: Polished plain gold-tone lid panel; engraved acanthus\/foliate scroll border to body rim; broad flat push-piece clasp with engraved motif\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior: Full-width mirror (foxed, dispersed spots, moderate); engraved laurel wreath cartouche to inner lid face; gold-tone powder compartment base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLipstick: Integrated gold-tone tube with domed cap; oxidation flecks to cap; empty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: Original Elgin American branded pale aqua puff with embossed script ribbon tab\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: New old stock. Storage wear: verdigris patch to engraved border at lid corner; fine scratches to lid face; oxidation flecks to lipstick cap; mirror foxing. Please review all close-up photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: 1950s, American mid-century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe laurel wreath is on the inside. It was always for her, not for anyone watching.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vaen’kai Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54933919826259,"sku":"VKVC-H137","price":222.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1085\/2771\/4643\/files\/DSC_7945.jpg?v=1789322227","url":"https:\/\/vaenkaivault.com\/products\/vintage-gold-tone-and-dark-fabric-elgin-american-purse-compact-featuring-an-ornate-ea-monogram-medallion-on-the-cover","provider":"Vaen’kai Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}