Rare Vintage (1950s) Patented Ladies English “Stratton” Gold Plated Powder Compact Complete With Original Faux Suede Pouch & Instructions Leaflet (Approximately 3.5”/9cm, 106g)

In excellent condition. Please browse all 24 sets of photographs attached for size, weight and condition as they are self explanatory. A lovely compact. Beautifully handcrafted. Marvellous weight and feel. Needs to be seen close up to be fully appreciated as the photographs attached do not do it justice.

In excellent order. Around 70 years old but almost as new with gold plating in perfect condition. If you see any unusual light or dark areas in the photographs, I assure you, these are just photographic aberrations. It looks new, although if you are extremely particular, I would advise the sponge part under the Stratton label inside does appear to have dried and aged since the original manufacture in the 1950s. That apart in superb order.

Stratton of Mayfair is a heritage brand with over 150 years of history. During a large part of the 1900’s it became the epitomy of class and prestige in ladies gifts. Innovative patents gave additional credence to the company with a product quality that was well known and unrivalled within the market place. Its appeal often went beyond our own shores to far-flung export markets including the USA and Japan.

The parent company was founded in 1860 as Stratnoid, and initially made knitting needles. It changed its name to Stratton and in 1920 merged with Jarrett and Rainsford, to form a company named Jarrett, Rainsford and Laughton Ltd, trading as Stratton and as Stratton of Mayfair.

In November 1940, during World War II, four of its five Birmingham factories were lost to enemy bombing. The company recovered and diverted its work to producing war supplies.

In 1948, the company patented a mechanism for a self-opening inner lid for compacts. The company had since changed hands several times before finally closing in 1997, but the name was revived subsequently and the company using it is still in operation.

Without doubt Stratton were the most successful brand of British powder compact. The quality of their enamel was clearly superior to the other British brands at the time. Vintage Stratton accessories are highly collectible today and many have proved to be a good investment.