Name/Title
Cosmetics compactEntry/Object ID
2008.006.0001Description
Souvenir cosmetics compact given to Frances F. Greenwell for representing St. Mary's County at the ceremonies held to mark the beginning of the construction of Robert Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on September 30, 1922.
The piece is 3 1/2"long x 2 1/2"wide x 5/16"thick. There is a silver chain of 23 links, each 1/2" long. The links are very simple, with a slight twist in each one. Loops 3/16" in diameter attach the chain to eyes also about 3/16" in diameter situated on each edge of the top of the back half of the compact. The chain allows the wearer to carry it like a purse.
In the center of the top edge is a very plain 3/8" catch with the tab on the front half of the piece and the depression into which it fastens on the back half on the inside. The two halves hinge on the bottom with a nearly invisible piano hinge.
The front of the piece is striped with seventeen alternating bands of pink gold, yellow gold, and striated white gold or silver. The gold bands are not quite 1/8" wide and the silver striated spaces are nearly 3/16" wide. In the upper left corner is a rectangular gold plate 3/16" high x 3/4" wide and 1/4" from both the vertical and horizontal edges of the piece. The initials F.F.G. are engraved on the plate in "gothic" letters.
The back of the piece is plain silver. Various fonts are used to engrave the following text:
"Frances F. Greenwell
representing
St. Mary's County
Robert Crain Highway Celebration
Upper Marlboro Maryland
Sept. 30, 1922
Baltimore <> Southern Maryland"
The whole inscription is 1 1/2" high.
The corners of the piece are turned at a forty-five degree angle.
When one opens the piece, the back rests in the palm of one's hand. The depression for the catch is in the center of the top edge. Below that are three spring-loaded holders for quarters, probably no more than three, nickels, probably no more than three, and dimes, possibly four coins. This takes up 1 5/8" of the surface. Below is a 1 1/4"h x 1 3/4"w mirror with a 1/4" frame with a small catch just left of center on the upper edge that opens the mirror to a powder reservoir. Text on the frame: "Pat. applied for." There is a 1 5/8" diameter heavy flannel pink powder "puff" in the space. There are traces of powder on the puff and the reservoir. There was a darker pink loop of ribbon on the top of the puff as a handle, but the thread has failed so the ribbon is now loose. The back of the reservoir has a gold surface with tiny overlapping circles brushed into it to give it texture.
The interior of the front half of the compact is gold with brushed circles on the entire space and is about 1/4" deep. A money clip on its own spring-loaded hinge is centered near the hinge for the entire piece. The clip is 5/8" wide at its base and tapers in two bars to be 1 1/2" long. The clip looks like the Eiffel Tower with a shamrock on top. Text on the clip: "FG 151 1/2" on the upper cross bar and "Sterling" and a hallmark on the lower crossbar. Text on the long edge of the frame for this half: "Sterling & 14 K " and a hallmark.
Both the interior and exterior are finely made. The piece appears to have been used, probably with pride.Collection
Greenwell Collection OneDimensions
Height
3-1/2 inWidth
2-1/2 inDepth
5/16 inLocation
Shelf
Rack 18, Shelf 3Rack
Rack 18Wall
East wallRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Burch, Frances FidelisPerson or Organization
Burch, Francis F.Person or Organization
Burch, Thaddeus J.Person or Organization
Greenwell, Frances Fidelis