I smile every single time I see a vintage Avon collectible. My grandmother, Alma, sold Avon when I was young. Back then, I was allowed to choose a prize from Alma’s sacred “Avon drawer” for my birthday. It was filled with bangles and baubles and compacts and make-up samples. The little lipstick samples were my favorite.
Avon Cape Cod pattern
My mother gave me an Avon jadeite pitcher a few years before she died. The original saucer is missing, but it is still one of my favorite pieces. It originally contained Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil. Who knew I would end up living in a place where the gnats make owning Skin-So-Soft such a priority?
my mom’s Jadeite pitcher from Avon
My grandmother had a friend named Lorena (we pronounced it Low-Reeena), who must have been high-up in the Avon food chain. She would drop by my grandmother’s house, bearing gifts and leaving Avon books behind. One Easter she gave us a little plastic rabbit pin with perfume inside. I can still remember the smell and texture of that perfume. Lorena was a smart business woman- she knew how to hook customers at a young age.
Avon Delft foaming bath oil dispenser
When I was in the fourth grade, Lorena dropped off a book that contained the “Swing Sweetly” necklace. I begged and begged for that coveted necklace. I don’t have it anymore; it broke long ago. I’m thinking of ordering it from EBay for my daughter’s 10th birthday. Maybe I’ll go vintage Avon crazy and buy a replacement tray for my jadeite pitcher too. The products and the personal touch of the women who sold Avon made me a life-long fan. Avon’s vintage collectibles will always conjure up happy memories in my mind.
Avon’s Delft pattern reminds of the iconic Blue Onion dish pattern.
Worth: Most of the collectibles can be found for under $10. The Swing Sweetly necklace is $29.
History: David H. McConnel was a traveling book salesman who also gave perfume samples to women. He began mixing perfume from a small New York City office. He recruited housewives to network with one another and become sales representatives. This man after my own heart was a visionary, helping Proverbs 31 women to make money from home way back in 1886!
Appeal: Need I write more? Who doesn’t love beauty products, hand-delivered by a friendly face? Before Sephora, or even Mary Kay, there was Avon.
Update in 2020: When she was moving, my thoughtful cousin, Amy, sent me an Avon cross necklace that was my grandmother’s. I will treasure it forever and ever.
To read about other vintage items, tap or click on this link: https://lovemycottage.wpengine.com/collecting-vintage-cookbooks/
Happy Mother’s Day Y’all!
Kristie
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American Bisque Turnabout Cookie Jar from the 1940s
I sold Avon for many years and have a great deal of Avon decanters (as they were called many years ago) if your interested in any special ones let me know.
I do love the cape cod stuff!
I have the whole set of cape cod I would like to sell it
Have you thought about trying eBay or Craig’s List?