vintage Purple Lilac talcum powder by Ann Haviland 5 oz dusting powder with puff

Description

Here is a super-rare container of Purple Lilac talcum powder by Ann Haviland. This fragrance was introduced in 1946. Although collectors will occasionally come across surviving glass bottles of Ann Haviland fragrances, the talcum powder containers are much harder to find because they are more fragile and many were no doubt thrown away over the years.
The oval container of dusting powder is in very good condition, considering its age and fragility. It is made of light green cardboard wrapped in textured cream-colored paper. This textured paper coating has only a few stains on it. Some black marks are on the bottom surface, but no one will see that when the container is upright. Miraculously, the lid still has the original sprig of artificial purple lilac that was stapled into place at the factory when the lid was being constructed.
The original signed Ann Haviland powder puff is inside, and the container is full or nearly full. Quite possibly, it was never used. I tested a small amount of the powder on the back of my hand. It is odorless, so the scent must have faded away with age.
The container is 3.5 inches from side to side, and 2.5 inches from front to back. The height is 4.5 inches tall when measured to the top of the lid. The artificial flowers add approximately 2 inches of extra height for a total height of about 6.5 inches. The total weight of the container and the puff is 6.8 oz.
And now for some interesting background information.... The J.L. Hudson Company Department Store in Detroit, Michigan, had an entire window display devoted to Ann Haviland's Purple Lilac product line in 1947. Here, courtesy of the Detroit Historical Society, you can see a gorgeous photo of what the display looked like. It was dreamy and surreal, with a papier-mache mannequin that was shaped partly like a woman and partly like a tree. Look closely, and you can see one, possibly two, of these talcum powder containers with the sprigs of artificial lilac flowers.
https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/photo/149E34F3-64F0-49E6-A5D0-581802264697
Ann Haviland was a famous American perfumer from the early 20th century. She was known for creating bespoke perfumes for private clients, as well as commercial perfumes for sale in retail stores. Her best-known client was silent film star Theda Bara, for whom Haviland created an Egyptian-themed perfume as Bara was preparing for her role as Cleopatra.
This article has more information about Ann Haviland's career: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ann-haviland-fragrances-new-york
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