Customer Reviews

Collector's Encyclopedia of Compacts, Carryalls and Face Powder Boxes: Carryalls and Face Powder Boxes (v. 1)

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I bought this and Volume II. The history! The pictures! You know what you are seeing and reading about in a collectors book, AT LAST! I have been collecting for a number of years, just for the beauty and my own personal thoughts about the people that might have owned these compacts. Now I know so much that I have always wanted to know. Now that I have seen these books, even though some of mine are not listed, I know where to look! I would love to talk to Laura, the author, because she must feel the same.

This volume, along with volume 2, is the best place to learn about compacts and how to collect them. Gorgeous photos, all in color, covering every possible category of compact imaginable. Mueller covers compact and makeup history, from Egyptian times to the turn of the 20th century to the demise of artistically designed compacts in the 1960s. Any reader will be educated in the world of compacts after going through these two volumes. A quality guide/encyclopedia.

From start to finish, this book is loaded with very sharp images of hundreds of vintage compacts ranging from absolutely gorgeous pieces to whimsical and always with great descriptions and current values. All of the photos are in beautiful color and are very sharp & easily recognizable. I've been collecting vintage compacts for years and was still amazed at the variety of styles and manufacturers that are included in this book! It stays on my desk and is a constant source of reference and pleasure! The only thing I would really like to see (maybe in a future publication) is the approximate age of each piece. Whether you're a serious collector or just a lover of the older compact beauties, you just cannot miss with this book....the author knows her stuff!!

This book is just as beautiful as Gersons' Vintage ladys compacts with just as many color photographs of compacts. How ever Mueller expands her information on compacts with every chapter and the different compacts are catagorized by type ie, military, novalty etc and she also includes face powder boxes and other related Items in her books. I would recommend getting both volumes of her Encyclopedias as one is meant to compliment the other. There was a wonderful wooden box that she includes in one of the books that was originally meant as a bridal gift that I would love to acquire. Mueller has put keepsakes from her own wedding in it to demonstrate what it could be used for. Plus on the top of many pages of her books are quotes from people who were in the cosmetic and compact business when compacts were originally made that I find fun and unique. I highly recommend these books by Mueller .

This book is simply fabulous in every respect and you will most certainly not be disappointed! The pictures are plentiful, crisp, clear, and full color showing very precise detail of each item featured along with thorough descriptions, references to Ad's, dates and what I consider realistic price guidelines.

There are also additional photos of the inside of some compacts, especially the carryalls, which is extremely helpful in identifying what items should be there in order to maintain value. I have collected compacts and carryall's for years, but often find even though the exteriors are in great shape the interiors lack essential pieces, which can devalue, therefore knowing what you should have inside and out is of paramount importance to your collecting.

Compacts shown in this book are very attainable too, although there are those depicted, which are more difficult to find, rare and more expensive the book gives a wonderful comprehensive overview of VERY accessible compacts the collector can actually find in the market today. Within the first 50 pages I had already easily found and identified 6 compacts I purchased over the last 3 months AND I was able to identify even more within online auctions.

Finally a book that shows compacts, carryall's, etc. in great detail, gives a thorough description, references to Ad's, gives accurate dates and what I consider very accurate price guidelines, plus offers pieces, which can actually be found. This book is a stunning masterpiece both in text and photos and I can't wait to purchase the Second Edition!