I fell in love with compacts the first time I saw a vintage Stratton enameled compact.  The shape, the colors!!  I was hooked.  But not as a collector .... not yet!  I wanted to use that lovely compact.  Every time I needed a mirror, I wanted to pull that baby out of my purse!

Over time, I found more compacts and couldn't resist buying them.  Then I became a collector for the beauty of the pieces.  What attracts you to compacts?  Shape, color, investment value?  I always advise collecting what you love - because eventually you are going to have a lot!  Buy and READ books about compacts.  Learn why one is more valuable than the next.  Find out when your compact was made and who made it.  Educate yourself before you go on a buying binge! 

 I still use that first compact.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Before spending your hard-earned dollars, decide what you are going to collect.  Will you collect all compacts that appeal to you, one particular manufacturer's compacts, just a certain shape?  Once you know what you like, educate yourself.  There are lots of good books out there.

Buy the best condition you can afford.  Check the latches to make sure they close securely.  Make sure none of the metal parts are green (corrosion). Age darkening of the metal is acceptable.  Check the mirror.  Some spotting and cloudiness are inevitable with old compacts.  Small scratches may be acceptable - big dings or dents are not.  Large chunks of missing enamel or paint are not acceptable. Discoloration of the powder well is common if the compact has been used in the past.  If the compact is extremely rare (don't take the seller's word for it, research it yourself!) and the price is right, I'd go for it even with some of the above problems. 

CLEANING YOUR COMPACT

I always advise removing the powder from your compact.  This can be done with a soft dry toothbrush.  The perfume in face powder can discolor the lacquer used on the metal.  The sifter and puff can also be brushed or shaken out.  Swansdown puffs can be washed in a mild detergent and dried.  Other puffs should not be washed as they can and will disintegrate.

You can wipe down the INSIDE of a previously owned and used compact with an antibacterial agent.  The sifter can also be washed in an antibacterial soap.  Be very careful with the sifters as the mesh can tear from the rim.

Goo Off or alcohol can be used to remove adhesive labels from metal or glass.

Clean your mirror by spraying Windex or a similar glass/mirror cleaner onto a cloth and wiping the mirror off.

NEVER immerse your compact in water!  The water can get trapped behind the mirror and damage the reflective coating.

The outside of your compact can be buffed and polished with a good quality silicone polish and soft cloth.

REPLACING MISSING RHINESTONES

Easily done.  Be sure to match the original color and size of stone.  Rhinestones are readily available online at jewelry supply stores and are also sometimes available at craft stores.  I use E6000 glue.  It has a longer setting up time than some others but it holds like concrete!

REPLACING MISSING OR BROKEN MIRRORS

This is a tough one!  If you have a very valuable compact with a missing or broken mirror, I would advise leaving it alone.  You could devalue your piece with a replacement mirror.  If you want to replace a mirror in a compact you use, read on.

To replace a vintage compact mirror, you have two options.  Find a reputable glass dealer who has a supply of vintage mirror or pirate a mirror from a vintage compact of similar size and shape that is in throw-away condition.  Vintage mirror was thinner than today's.  Using modern mirror can distort your compact case or break the hinge.

If you've solved the replacement mirror dilemna, you're ready to go to the next step.  Some compact mirrors are "framed in".  If yours is done this way, study how the frame is closed and whether or not you are able to open it yourself.  If not, search for an agreeable jeweler who will do this for you.  (Warning - they are hard to find!)  Mirrors that are just glued in can be loosened with judicious use of a blow dryer to soften the glue and a dental pick to pry it loose.  E6000 Glue can be used to glue your new mirror in place.  If you are going to offer a compact with a replacement mirror for sale, please disclose this information to the potential buyer.

REPLACING VINTAGE PUFFS AND SIFTERS

If you are using your compact, any generic puff will do.  These are readily available in the makeup department of any store that sells cosmetic supplies.  Trying to find a vintage puff and sifter can be more difficult.  You will usually have to pirate them from an unusable compact of the same size and manufacturer.

Stratton compacts are still being made today (though not of the same high quality).  I have not found a source of new replacement puffs and sifters though I have searched long and hard.

STORING YOUR COMPACT

Be sure to remove all powder from your compact.  Remove the sifter and puff and store separately.  Vintage compacts are best stored in acid-free tissue paper or a film-front bag per all the literature on compacts.  I have had good luck with cleaning them well and storing them in either their pouch or wrapped in soft cloth.