1914 Melba Powder Box

Face powder was one of Melba’s earliest products with the first order of 100 lavender-coloured boxes being packed personally by Frank Jones. In those early years it was a small, intimate, concern that operated from the basement of a modest cottage property on Prairie Avenue. Basement cosmetic production was not uncommon in those times and even Ruth Maurer, who founded Marinello, started in exactly the same way. There is evidence of Melba ‘complexion aids’ being advertised as early as 1909 with products including Melba Skin Cleaner, Melbaline Face Powder and Melba Rose Blush. Face powder and rouge were packaged in cardboard containers with no evidence of metal cases used in those early years.
An example of a melba face powder box with Nellie Melba's portrait.
C1914. Note the gold and lavender colours which would be a common
feature of many Melba vanity cases