Lot #132: Vintage Mid-Century Vanity & Menswear: British Melissa Enamel Swan Compact, Sleeve Garters

Estate collection featuring fine mid-century British vanity craft, classic vintage haberdashery accessories, and artisan-beaded decorative accents. Vintage "Melissa" Swan Motif Powder CompactSpecifications: Octagonal shape; royal blue enamel over a brass chassis; engine-turned base detailing. Features a hand-painted/screened scene of two white adult swans and cygnets swimming near weeping willow branches and reeds.Country of Origin: Made in England.Designer/Brand History: Registered under the trademark "Melissa" in 1949 by Searchlight Products Ltd. out of Acton, London. Initially a printing press engineering firm before WWII, the company shifted to pressing high-end metal cosmetic compact cases to meet the post-war demand for luxury vanity goods. They remained a major contemporary competitor to Stratton until the late 1960s.Collector Interest: Melissa compacts are highly valued for their exceptional mid-century British engineering and mechanical inner lids. The "Swans on Blue" variant is a nostalgic, highly sought-after design among vanity enthusiasts. Vintage Gold-Tone Expandable Shirt Sleeve Bands / Cuff Holders (Pair)Specifications: Matching pair of spring-coiled, flexible expansion armbands finished in a polished gold tone.Historical Context: Popularized from the 1920s through the 1950s when men's dress shirts were often manufactured with one uniform, extra-long sleeve length. Men wore these bands above the elbow to precisely position their shirt cuffs at the wrist or keep them clean while working.Collector Interest: Essential for authentic mid-century dapper wardrobes, historical reenactors, and vintage menswear accessory collectors. Enamelled Clover Trinket Egg PendantSpecifications: Guilloché/Cloisonné style miniature egg featuring vibrant green enamel panels bordered by textured gold-leaf openwork. Includes a top suspension loop for wear as a charm or pendant. Pickup category timeslot {A}