Name/Title
Elgin American compact of the Martin family, c. 1940Entry/Object ID
2021.128.35Description
Acc. No. 21.128.35
Subject Category: Citizens of Alameda
Date or Period: c. 1940
Object: compact
Description: Circular brass compact with engraved rim, top decoration of artificial (plastic) mother of Pearl inlay, and a square of multicolored pastel pink, green, blue, yellow and purple paste or glass rhinestones; inside lid is a circular mirror, a green pad with in gold type: 'Elgin American', placed on a brass divider with design of concentric circles with central 'Elgin American Made in USA', and underneath is pink powder.
Size: Diameter: 3"
History of Object: Elgin American Compact of one of the women of the Martin family. The Elgin company has its origin with the Elgin American Manufacturing company, owned by watchmaker The Illinois Watchcase Company, with the focus on cases and lockets. In 1890 The Illinois Watchcase Company relocated to Elgin, IL, and the owners, the Eppenstein brothers, started using Elgin American in their products. By 1940s the company was the premier American novelty compact manufacturer.
Acquired from: Estate of Nancy Martin
Donation Date: 2016
Catalog Date: 12/11/2021
