Name/Title
Marlen cosmetics pouch (soft envelope-flap case)Entry/Object ID
2025.1.369Description
Flat square soft cosmetics pouch in light-blue vinyl with an allover fine woven-texture emboss. A rounded envelope flap closes over the front and tucks into a horizontal slot; the flap and tuck-slot are bordered by an embossed faux-stitch/dashed line, and the flap centers an embossed rectangular cartouche with the cursive brand "Marlen." A slot/pocket beneath the flap edge could have held a slim compact and/or a pencil or brush. The pouch is empty; surface soiled, stained, and creased with wear. No contents, maker mark, or country marking are present.Use
Belonged to Gertrudis Caraballo GálvezContext
A soft slip-pouch of this kind typically held a flat cosmetic (powder or eye-shadow compact) and a slim applicator, serving as a handbag vanity case. "Marlen" appears as the brand on the flap, but it is not documented among Cuban state-cosmetics lines (Fantasía, Prisma, Realce, Alondra, Cirene, Tess) or otherwise verifiable as a 1950s–60s Cuban brand; within the collection it may be a pre-revolutionary (República-era) item or an import.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez collecitionMade/Created
Edition
MarlenNotes
Date: undetermined; the embossed faux-stitch vinyl and script-cartouche styling is broadly mid-20th-century (circa 1950s–1960s), so a pre-1959 (República-era) origin is possible but unconfirmed — flagged as potentially at or below the lower edge of the 1959–1990 collection period.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionTranscription
MarlenParts
Pouch body with envelope flap and tuck-slot closure; interior slot/pocket (for compact and/or pencil/brush). No contents present.Materials
Material
PlasticMaterial Notes
Vinyl, light blue, texture-embossed; exact material tentative (could be soft PVC or coated card).Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Gertrudis Caraballo GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
useResearch Notes
Notes
No 1950s–60s Cuban "Marlen" cosmetics brand found; modern "Marlen" cosmetics entities (Guatemala's Marlen Lamur; a North Miami "Marlen Perfumes & Cosmetics Inc.") appear unrelated and are noted only as unverified leads.
Origin and date are open. A pre-1959 República-era date is stylistically plausible but unconfirmed; equally could be an import or early-socialist.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
March 31, 2022Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
July 17, 2026