{"product_id":"19th-c-florence-shellac-hand-mirror-1","title":"19th c. \"Florence\" Shellac Hand Mirror | As Is","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLovely molded hand mirror by Florence Mfg. Company, circa late 19th century. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMarked \"Florence\" on the handle.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom the Museum of Design in Plastics:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFlorence Compound was the invention of Alfred Critchlow (1813-1881) who was a manufacturer of horn buttons in Birmingham, England. After emigrating to the US, where he initially continued in this trade, Critchlow eventually moved to Florence, Massachusetts, where, in the 1850s, he began to experiment with moulding compounds of shellac (a resin secreted by the lac beetle) and gutta percha (a natural material derived from the Malaysian tree of the same name).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHe developed a shellac-based moulding material which he named Florence Compound and used it to manufacture buttons and Union Cases (small protective cases for daguerreotype photographs), thought to be some of the first mass-produced plastic mouldings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn 1853 Critchlow went into partnership with Samuel Hill and Isaac Parsons, but when the development of new photographic processes led to a dwindling in demand for such cases, he sold his share in the company which then took the name Littlefield, Parsons and Co. Subsequently they changed their name to the Florence Manufacturing Co. and, needing to find new uses for their moulding material, produced highly decorated hand mirrors and brush sets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-single__description rte\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e+++ Measurements +++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eApprox 8.25\" long\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e+++ Condition +++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMaterial has a few cracks and there are blemishes beneath the glass. Still very beautiful and usable! \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e+++ Please read +++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis item is not new, and as such, it has wear commensurate with age. As with all older vintage and antique items, please handle with care.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAll items are sold as-is, and I do my best to point out all condition issues and provide a detailed description and photographs.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eUnless specified, items have not been cleaned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eI do not accept returns or offer refunds. Please see all photos, read the entire description, and ask any questions before purchasing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Witchy Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49973545304314,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/7319\/4490\/files\/PXL_20220510_001653848.jpg?v=1785697698","url":"https:\/\/www.the419plug.com\/products\/19th-c-florence-shellac-hand-mirror-1","provider":"The Plug","version":"1.0","type":"link"}