Living the Collector's Dream! A Trip to the Avon Archives!
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The large brochure entitled, The Research Collections of the Hagley Museum, given to me by the Curator of the Manuscripts and Archives Department, says that the Hagley Museum and Library, located just north of Wilmington, DE, "collects, preserves, and interprets the unfolding history of American enterprise." The brochure further goes on to say that, "Hagley's collections document business activities since the late eighteenth century as well as the interaction between business and culture, social, and political dimensions of our society. Researchers come from all over the world to use our resources in studying a wide array of subjects..."
And it was Hagley Museum and Library that received the treasures of the Avon Archives back in the 1980s!
A dream of mine has always been to visit the Avon Archives (previously located primarily at the Suffern Plant in New York) visited by collecting greats such as Bud Hastin, Dick Pardini, George Gaspar, and others. Their accounts of treasures in the form of old photographs, and catalogs and business records and personal correspondence and...well the list just goes on and on...were cause for this collector's many fanciful day dreams! So, after receiving confirmation that Hagley indeed now maintained the Avon Archives, I headed out for my first (of two) day trips to the museum. I was met with the most helpful curator and staff I have ever come across—and they easily noted my child-like excitement! I was able to spend the entire day at Hagley beginning in the Soda House with the Manuscripts and Archives reviewing much of the earliest California Perfume Company paperwork; from the late 1880s through 1915. Around lunch time, I had to move up to the Imprints and Pictorial Departments located in the main Library about 1/4 mile from the Soda House. There I was able to scan many early photos and review old CPC Outlooks and Bulletins.
Without doubt, the information gained during my five and half short hours at Hagley was absolutely unbelievable! From an 1896 catalog to pictures of Mrs. P.F.E. Albee to personal correspondence from D. H. McConnell to his parents written on Union Publishing House letterhead, circa 1888. It was more than I could have imagined! I greatly look forward to my next trip there.
If you are an obsessive CPC and/or Avon collector such as myself, or you just want to have a little fun digging into the history of a truly excellent company, I strongly suggest a trip to Hagley! You WON'T be sorry! And happy hunting!
Some of the recent comments received:
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The following received 22 March, 2011 Collectors Weekly: Hi Rusty, I wanted to let you know that we've chosen your California Perfume Company site for our Collectors Weekly Hall of Fame: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/hall-of-fame/view/california-perfume-company ...congrats on a great site! Other greatly appreciated comments: -- "You have done an incredible job on this website!" -- "I hadn't looked at your website for a long time. I finally took the time today and was absolutely amazed at all the information and also the quality of your layout. I just can't imagine the amount of time that you have spent pulling this all together. My hat is off to you." -- "I found your collector's page. WOW, I FELL IN LOVE... I’VE ALWAYS HAD A THING FOR ANTIQUE BOTTLES BUT THIS WAS TOO MUCH! [I] had to stop after admiring the PRODUCTS PAGE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THAT AVAILABLE TO US. IT IS BEAUTIFUL." -- ...love your web site." -- "I found your website by surfing the internet for more information on my items. When I found it, I was delighted that not only did I find more information on some of the items that I have, but the organization of the site allowed me to easily view and access the information. The headings, pictures and descriptions not only made it easier, but also entertaining. It is a great resource tool for people who are experienced with this hobby as well as "rookies" (like myself). Thank you so much for your time. It is greatly appreciated!" -- "I was so excited when I found your website about the California Perfume Company and I learned a lot. Just from it." Thank you to all who have shared your comments in the past! I appreciate your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism. It ALL helps to make this web site even that much better! |
Appreciation!
The late Mr. Leonard Talys at the National Association of
Avon Collectors Annual Convention
June 1972
I have great appreciation for, and give heartfelt thanks to, many folks that have made my California Perfume Company collecting possible and enjoyable!
First and foremost is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without him, I would have nothing. I could do nothing. And I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I cannot imagine a moment wherein Jesus would not be the focal point of my life. He is my Hope, my Deliverer, and my Redeemer.
Secondly, my wife Cindy! She puts up with soooooo much, especially when she sees me around California Perfume Company items or looking (obsessively) on e-Bay and then she hears the fateful call, "Dear, come look at this for a second..." to which she responds, "Now what?!?!" We are now over 30 years of marriage and I can easily say and firmly attest that I love my wife more today than I did yesterday, or any day before. I thank the Lord my God for this precious lady, for she is such a blessing to me!
There are two others for whom I would like to express my appreciation:
Mr. Bud Hastin and the late Mr. Leonard Talys. Mr. Bud Hastin, the author and
publisher of the Bud Hastin Avon Collecting Encyclopedias, allowed me to
purchase a large portion of his paper collection back in 1985—wow,
over a
quarter-century ago! This opportunity transitioned my Avon-collecting
focus from Avons to CPCs (though at that time, I couldn't really afford
to play with the big boys since CPCs were VERY expensive.) Over the
years, Bud has remained an inspiration and a friend. Lastly, I would
like to express a special thank you for a gentleman that is no longer
with us: Mr. Leonard Talys. Lenny helped to start my CPC collection.
He was always a gentleman and he graciously opened his home to my wife
and I on several occasions. I really liked Lenny and I am so sorry that
he is now gone. He was an inspiration to me as a young, new collector.
And I will always consider him my friend. Note: This picture of Lenny
was found in the archives at Hagley Museum and Library (see top of the
page)...Forever Remembered by Avon!
Awarded "Most Educational" at the FOHBC 2008 Expo!
The weekend of 7-10 August, 2008 represented a true "Red Letter" day for
Rusty and Cindy Mills! Not only was this the first and only time that we ventured
out and displayed a fair portion of our CPC and Early-Avon collection at
a bottle show, this gala event ended up with our winning the "Most
Educational" display honors! [read
more and see the pictures...]
Past Newsletters
Back in 2004, I started a series of Newsletters...made
it up to Number 8! These ditties were meant to be substantive meat for
the serious collector. Sadly, I was not able to maintain the required
pace for a respectable Newsletter--at least in my mind--and so I ceased
production. Since then, I have included various new pages within the CPC
web site (i.e., Newest Finds,
Collector's Tips,
Frequently Asked Questions,
What's Hot and What's Not, and the
newest addition: The Library!)
to serve the purpose of the previous newsletters. At the time, I received VERY positive feedback for the
content and the subjects included. [Please use the
following link to
see the past Newsletters.]
A Note from the Web Author:
It is my sincere hope that this extensive web site will continue to grow and grow and serve the collector community as well as casual reader for a very long time to come. I know that this project can not prosper having only one contributor. The true success of the California Perfume Company web site—as in the case of the original company—must come from the contributions of many dedicated people around this great country and throughout the world. The Vision Statement clearly states my desire for this site to become a virtual California Perfume Company encyclopedia...so, how can you help?
- Provide constructive criticism and thoughtful suggestions;
- Provide high-quality color pictures of CPC items to be used on the site; send photos to: russell (at) californiaperfumecompany.net;
- Provide information and stories about the CP Company and its people. I ask that the information be accompanied with some form of verification (where feasibly possible);
- List items you have for sale or that you would like to acquire in the CPC to Sell and CPC Wanted pages;
- Promote the site to others; and
- Most of all,
HAVE FUN and ENJOY THE SITE!
Thank you to Mr. Richard Pardini!
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I want to extend such a special, warm thank you to this precious man and his entire family for inviting me and my wife, Cindy, into his home, sharing a superb meal with us, and conversing for many wonderful hours on CPC, Goetting, and Avon collecting. Richard (Dick) not only opened his home, but his collection provided excellent pictures of some of the rarest CPC items that are now included on the CPC web site. Dick, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you to Mr. George Gaspar!
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I would like to also say a special "Thank You" to George Gaspar, who allowed my wife and I into his home in order to begin—yes, I said begin—the process of photographing his most awesome CPC collection. Many of the pictures you now see on the CPC web site belong to George. We spent six arduous, but fun-filled hours taking 300 pictures—this actually covers less than a third of George's CPC collection. Thanks again George and a super big "hat's off" to you!
