https://veryrarebrass.com Sat, 30 May 2026 19:30:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-wadsworth-henriette-8-ball-powder-compact-1940s1950s/ https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-wadsworth-henriette-8-ball-powder-compact-1940s1950s/#comments Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:08:54 +0000 https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-wadsworth-henriette-8-ball-powder-compact-1940s1950s/











I bought it used at a charity shop on the way home from the boutique (Laura Ashley) that I worked for. It came in this same mismatched Robson flannel bag that I bought it in, The previous owner must have was kept it in the bag which is why it is in such good condition. In 1976, this was a vintage item. I was a hippy fashionista I loved it. This item is listed speculatively because I will always have room in my purse. (in other words my price is firm). Vintage from the 1940s. Materials: brass, gilt, glass, enamel. The rare vintage Henriette 8 ball spherical loose powder compact. This rare and gorgeous little compact is was created by Parker Pen, Wadsworth’s compact division under the brand name “Henriette” in the 1940s. It is in the form of an eight ball and. The compact is spherical and has been enamelled jet black with the number “8” in black on a white circle on the lid. The enamel is in very good to excellent order, and there are no dings to the exterior. Inside, the gilding is bright. The mirror has a couple of minor fox marks but gives a good reflection. The lid opens easily to reveal a deep powder well and a tiny, unused puff. The compact looks like it has only been very lightly used for powder. You may wonder why a pen company was producing compacts. From my research I have found the following. The Wadsworth Watch case Co. Dayton, KY was established in 1890 as a maker of gold filled watch cases. Interestingly, during WWII, they converted the powder compact process into compasses and other vital items that would aid the war effort. And became Parker Pen Wadsworth. Parker and Wadsworth had already established a business relationship as Parker Pen Canada had been acting as distributers for Wadsworth. The Parker Pen Company is an American company but had established or acquired manufacturing works in Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Mexico, USA, Pakistan, India, Germany (Osmia-Parker), Brazil and Argentina. This is a 80 year old item is in remarkably good condition. It is perfect functional, no breaks, all pieces, very good top finish, (tiny flecking good to excellent very cared for by me) Please look at my photos.

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I have only seen a couple of these come up for sale in the past 10 years or so, and this one honestly is in the best condition of them all. This is a mid century Wadsworth brass cigarette case with the globe and compass design. Incredible detail that is in very good condition. Continuous hinge is complete and works as intended, as does the push-button opener. Hologram interior design is near pristine and the Wadsworth Made in USA is clear and complete. Very rare find that may never come your way again! I did not attempt to clean or polish this vintage item. Please see pics for further description and condition.

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