www.californiaperfumecompany.net                       Issue 8, 2005

In This Issue:

• The CPC/Avon Road Show
• The "A" Size Perfume
• Upcoming Events
• Web Site News
• Collectors' Tales

Welcome to another edition of the CPC Newsletter.

In so many of the previous CPC Newsletters, I mounted my soapbox and expounded the need for each of  us to promote our excellent hobby: to think of new, innovative ways - and possibly old, proven, tried & true approaches - to convey the rich CPC history and culture; to communicate the enjoyment of gathering together, meeting new people, sharing those collector's stories, and acquiring new treasures of the past. Well, one person has taken my words, combined them with his own zeal, and hit the proverbial highway running. It is my sincere pleasure and honor to share with you an article provided by a very dear CPC-collecting friend: Mr. Allen Keyser:

I’m Allen, and I live in Bremerton, WA. I met Rusty when I phoned him concerning a purchase on E-bay. We have corresponded on and off via e-mail since. He has asked me to write a short letter about my CPC “Road Shows”.

I started collecting old Avon’s and CPC’s not for myself, but as gifts for my wife. Debbie has been an Avon representative for over 20 years. She is very successful, and has all the perfume and costume jewelry she needs. I started out buying her the Albee awards she was missing, along with other older Avon awards. I also bought Avon items from the 50’s and 60’s. Somewhere in there, I thought about “really old” Avon items. I knew some of the company’s history. You really can’t live with a 20+ year Avon rep and not learn some things. Then, I purchased my first CPC item in late 2000.

How I came to do these “road shows” as Rusty and I refer to them: Debbie told her District Manager, Penny Thompson, about the “old Avon” items I had. Penny has been with Avon for over 30 years, in one capacity or another, but had never seen anything from the CPC era. We visited the Thompson’s over the 2003 Christmas holidays. I carried along several CPC bottles, tins and paper items. Penny found the items from the turn of the century very interesting. She got a real kick out of the sales techniques described in the old “Outlook” magazines.

That spring, Penny told the Avon Regional Manager what we had. He invited me to the Tacoma area President's Club Luncheon in June to display the CPC items. I said, "sure," then started having second thoughts. I emailed Rusty to see what he thought. Naturally, he thought it was a great idea.

The night before the luncheon, I went to the banquet room and set up. I really had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. There were two tables for me to use. I put all the CPC items together in one area, Avon’s from the 50’s and 60’s in another. I spread out several catalogs from the same era. Things were pretty close.

The only people present that night were the Regional Manager, Arnet Moore, and several District Managers. I had not met Arnet before this night. He had no idea what I had. He was not sure what to expect. I was invited on blind faith, so to speak. As I was setting up the items, Arnet came over to look. He said he was impressed. He spent a lot of time looking at the items and looking at the old catalogs. We talked about the old bottles, going door to door, making sales in the 1890’s, how I got started collecting CPC items, etc. He thought the items were too cramped and would look better if they were spread out a little. I was then given a third table.

During the luncheon, the Avon Representatives/Presidents Club Members came up to see the display. Most did not know Avon was founded in 1886, was originally known as the California Perfume Company and did not become Avon until 1939. Several said they thought Avon had “been around only since the 50’s” or was founded “about the same time the car decanters were sold!”

Overall, I had a really good time. There was only one problem. I thought my wife had taken pictures and she thought I did. So, no pictures were taken of that first CPC Road Show.

The 2004 Tacoma District luncheon went well. As spring 2005 approached, Arnet asked if I could visit 5 Washington luncheons this year: Tacoma, Pasco, Everett, Kelso, and Mountlake Terrace. Arnet wanted the representatives in his division to see where their company came from. I could not do the one in Mountlake Terrace, but I have been invited to visit them next year.

I decided that I would take Avon items from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s along with the CPC items. I was more relaxed this time, a little less intimidated. Or maybe I just felt comfortable, having done one last year. I also got as many tables as I needed. The response from the representatives was just as positive if not better this time around. They asked more questions and I tried to answer as many as I could. For reference though, I had printed some articles from Rusty’s web site. Some questions were embarrassing: “Are you the guy who writes the books?” [Bud Hastin] (No). “This is a very large collection” (Thank you, but actually, it’s quite modest). Some questions were intriguing: “I have a very old CPC bottle and a tin with an Indian lady on it”. (I was really told that! I also wanted to see them!)

The included pictures are of the “road shows” from the Tacoma District luncheon.

Debbie and Allen Keyser

Allen's Road Show Display (Left Side)

Allen's Road Show Display (Middle)

Allen's Road Show Display (Right Side)

Debbie Keyser Receiving Her Award at the Tacoma District Luncheon

To anyone who can, I would recommend doing this in your area. The Avon Representatives enjoyed the items and talking about the history of their company. FYI, Avon Presidents Club Luncheon’s are held annually all over the country (world). I think it would be easy to contact a district manager and arrange something similar. I had a great time at all the luncheons and believe you would to.

Allen Keyser

I want to extend a hearty "Thank You" to Allen and Debbie for this excellent article and for stepping "out of the box" and taking a chance for CPC and Avon collectors. Keep up the awesome work!

By the by, when discussing Allen's adventures with Bud Hastin, Bud told me that these Road Shows used to be quite common years ago. Well, I am actively trying to set some engagements within the Pennsylvania/Maryland area right now. I second Allen's recommendation to get involved in Road Shows if at all possible - Hey, I am sure it would be fun! I am definitely looking forward to my first Road Show!

Until next time...

The California Perfume Company Web Site.

Normally, this space would contain information related to other web sites and web pages, however, I am going to spend just a few moments to bring you news and information concerning the California Perfume Company web site. As many of you know, I spent the better part of the first half of this 2005 overseas in a war zone...hence my hiatus in publishing the CPC Newsletter. However, some excellent things are going on...

There are many changes and additions to the CPC web site.

a. Check out these sections: Natoma Rose, Vernafleur, Lavender Salts, Powders, Vanity Articles, and Baby Products just to name a few. At least 100 additions and changes have been made over the last two months.

b. The Trademarks and Logos page now provides more accurate dating.

c. Two more months of the 1906 CPC advertisement run within Good Housekeeping were added (April and October, 1906)

d. Newly discovered: There was an Avon Radio Show in 1935 called "Friends".

e. A new section was started containing photographs and pictures of David H. McConnell Sr.

These are only a few of the highlights. Countless hours have been worked in an attempt to provide the best, most complete information to the web. And there is so much more still waiting. I still have at least 75 (or more) pictures from George Gaspar's CPC collection to add the CPC web site, not to mention the multitude of pictures and information waiting to be extracted from the many Catalogs, Brochures, and Representative papers. So, keep watching as the web site continues to grow!

Also, if you get a chance, please read the CPC Web Site Vision Statement. That is my vision. That is my goal. Maybe you can help...

Rusty

www.californiaperfumecompany.net

If you know of any worth while web site related in some way to CPC and Avon collecting, please let me know and I will include the site in an upcoming CPC Newsletter issue.

Previous CPC Newsletter issues are always available upon request.

Thank you and have an awesome day!

Rusty

I appreciate and welcome any and all feedback!!!!!

Always Looking To Hatch New CPC Stories