Old travel vanity set

[teenavan]

I have a very old travel vanity set that includes a mirror, brush, comb, and couple of bottles
that I believe to be my grandmothers but I can't find anything online that resembles the set
at all.  I am trying to find an estimated date on this or maybe a little background.  Can anyone
help or at least point me in the right direction?

[regularjoe2]

Welcome to the forum , teenavan .

Nice vanity set .
Great designs on the back of your items .

I'm no expert on them , but it appears to be a reptile-skinned case (leather) , with a brass zipper .

My initial impression , from many others I've seen through the years , is a vintage from between 1920's through the 1940's .

Let's see what others with more experience with this type of item have to say !

[KC]

I agree with the reptile skinned appearance!

Are there any markings on the handles?

Vanity items are VERY collectible....we'll see how we can help you out!

[teenavan]

There is no handle, just the zipper with a chain hanging off like a key chain
except with one of the little silver balls a little bigger    Its not like some
vanities I have seen that are made of wood or stronger material, it is all
soft, kind of like one of those leather zipper portfolios.  

[fancypants]

Great images , teenavan .

I'm pretty darn sure KC was asking about any markings on the handles of the mirror & brush .

Any other markings on any of the items in your vanity set (bottom of bottles , nailfile , etc.) might also help lend a hand in I.D.ing them .

Do you have any idea about what material has been used on the back of the brush & mirror ?

You could check , with a magnet , if the metal handles are magnetic (indicates steel or iron , if a mag 'sticks' to it) .

Also .... are the bristles in the brush brown , or white-ish & stiff or 'floppy' ?

Thanks for posting your cool item .

[teenavan]

Okay so I did use a magnet and it did stick to the brush and mirror.  It didn't stick as
well to the handles as it did the back of the brush and mirror.  I can't find any markings
on the the jars or anything.  The design on the back of the mirror and brush look like
plastic that was trapped into the silver framing.  The bristles are tannish (I'm thinking from
age) and are real stiff. 

[KC]

Looks like celluloid on the back of the mirror which was very common & popular in the 30's.

However, to determine if your mirror is Bakelite or celluloid you can go to this site and perform this test to determine the makeup.
http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-tell-if-it-is-Bakelite_W0QQugidZ10000000008213366

Does the holder look/feel/smell like real leather or is it simulated leather?

Also, can you post a picture of the brush bristles?  Thanks!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Also are the bristles all one color or do they start one color and end in another? That might help to indicate a natural hair bristle. Love the backs they are quite beautiful. Neat art deco look to them.

[teenavan]

The leather has worn in places so it appears to me to be real leather but
it feels different than standard leather.  My father owed a shoe repair shop
and this is not your basic cow hide   Im not familiar with reptile type leather.
I tried the tests for bakelite.  When I rubbed it smelled funny but I don't think
its bakelite.  I dont have any 409 spray or the other chrome cleaner it indicated
but I have brasso.  It cleaned it nicely but it didn't have yellow and if it was
lacquered it would have come off, so my guess is celluloid.  I don't know for
sure though.  Here are the additional pics of the brush! Thanks!

[teenavan]

Any further opinions on the age of this set?

[KC]

Value in the range of $55 - $80.

The market is soft now....but they are still very collectible and sellable!

Would believe that this set is from the late 40's to 50's without marks/box.

[sapphire]

teenavan, as yet this is the closest in looks that I have been able to find but it doesn't really tell you much more than you already know.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/annasantiques/item/6684?gbase=1


I think every one I found of a similar style/set up was in this more 'brief case' style case.  Have yet to find a ladies in your zippered case.

[wendy177]

 Agree with KC I would hold on to this item for a while just sold a large assortment of vanity items through Skinner auction house of Boston, Ma. (Over 75 pieces Including  several sets & pieces)  realized price $30.00 !!!!

[teenavan]

Thank you so much for all your help!  I appreciate it so much!
You all are wonderful!