Now we like to think we’ve had some great Conventions, but I have to say that this one took the biscuit! We’re particularly proud of our Coty theme this year with a marvellously comprehensive exhibition of Coty compacts, vanities, powder boxes, rouges and lipsticks accompanied by a detailed catalogue of the display, fully illustrated in colour, which was distributed to all Convention-goers. It makes a great bed-time read and a wonderful resource for us. So, a very big "thank you" to our Convention organizer, Mary B. who also arranged and coordinated this exhibition together with writing its catalogue.

Despite or perhaps because of the prevailing economic gloom, 119 of us attended and to get us in the mood for some retail therapy there were beautiful selections of compacts and vanity items on display and lots for sale. After a warm welcome from our founder, Juliette Edwards and a short "business" session we heard the first of our two speakers for the day. There’s a wealth of knowledge in our Society and Mary collaborated with another of our members, Margaret C., who gave a stylish presentation on the history of Coty. Margaret, who had worked for Coty, focussed especially on Coty’s compact designs - a perfect complement to our special display.

After a hot buffet lunch – thank you Hilton Hotel – we were introduced to the star of our day – TV celebrity Eric Knowles from BBC Antiques Roadshow. Eric knew about our Coty theme, so spoke about the collaboration between Francois Coty and René Lalique. Many of us are in love with art deco style and Eric showed us Lalique’s beautiful designs from art nouveau to art deco. From enjoying Eric’s appearances on the Roadshow, we weren’t surprised that he brings this all to life with humour, which means we laughed a lot and then realized that we had learnt a lot as well!

What a brilliant day!

Jenny Duncan.

Le Rage London scenes compact

I have recently found a 'Le Rage' powder compact whilst sorting through the loft, please find some photographs attached.  I am hoping you may be able to shed some light on it.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Gina

• Jenny Duncan replies: Tidying up the loft can be a rotten job, but Gina should be pleased to have discovered such an attractive compact as this Le Rage depicting some famous sights of London, including St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, Nelson's column and the Tower of London.  Please take a look at page 10 of these Q & A pages and you will see my response to an enquiry about a Le Rage with French landmarks.