Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact Value Guide

The Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact is a quintessential example of mid-century American glamour, specifically prized for its intricate sculpted floral wheat motif. These accessories were essential fashion statements between 1945 and 1955, showcasing the era's transition from wartime utility to decorative elegance.

What Is Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact Worth?

The typical price range for Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the brass, specifically the presence of tarnish, verdigris, or significant scratches.
• The integrity of the sculpted lid, ensuring no cracks in the lucite or missing rhinestones within the wheat motif.
• The presence of original interior components such as the powder puff, sifter, or remaining vintage powder.
• The clarity of the internal glass mirror, as silvering loss or 'foxing' can decrease the item's market value.

How to Identify Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact?

• Look for the 'Zell Fifth Avenue' brand mark typically stamped on the interior frame or inner powder door.
• Examine the lid for the specific carved lucite or acrylic design that mimics mother of pearl with embedded rhinestone accents.
• Verify the construction materials consist of a brass body with a glass mirror and a functional hinge mechanism.
• Identify the 'floral wheat' pattern which is a signature aesthetic for this specific post-war production run.

History of Zell Fifth Avenue Powder Compact

Zell Fifth Avenue was a prominent American manufacturer of ladies' accessories during the mid-20th century. Known for their intricate metalwork and decorative lid designs, these compacts became essential fashion statements for women in the 1940s and 1950s. This specific design utilizes carved lucite or acrylic to mimic the appearance of genuine mother of pearl, a common technique for achieving a high-end look during the post-war era.