Powder compacts have been produced throughout the 20th century in an enticing range of materials and decorative styles, offering tremendous scope to collectors. This guide provides potential and practising collectors with an introduction to these items. It covers compacts from the 1920s, Stratton classics of the 1940s and 1950s, kitsch plastic specimens, souvenir designs, and the elegant creations of contemporary fashion houses. Brands illustrated range from Gwenda, Flamingo and Mascot in Britain to Henriette and Evans in the US and Christian Dior in France. Each section includes information on materials and styles, with photographs of items available at auctions, markets, fairs and even car-boot sales.