Rare Leichner theatrical makeup for good early stage & silent screen actors, Form H liner, medium size, “No. 258 Casualty/Nose Putty.” c. 1926

Rare vintage Leichner theatrical makeup for early stage & silent screen actors, Form H liner, medium size, “No. 258 Casualty/Nose Putty.” c. 1926

It is nice to know a little back ground information about a particular item … that is part of the pleasure of collecting. One should always know something about their vintage treasures.

Rare vintage L. Leichner theatrical makeup, Form H Liner, medium size, “No. 258 Casualty/Nose Putty.” This was a makeup product that was used to create “casualty” effects on the face to simulate a disfigurement, a scar, a burn, or other effect. It was also used to create a different shaped nose… such as a large nose, a crooked nose, a damaged or broken nose. It was the kind of product that was used for the stage and early silent films to create an effect or to change an actor's appearance. This was a moldable material was used before the use of liquid and foam latex, which were used to create character looks such as Boris Karloff's Frankenstein eye-lids, electric neck-bolts, and head-piece. It is a firm putty or waxy-like material that was also used to cover-up disfigurements of a corpse so it could be properly and respectfully shown at a funeral viewing reception. Early stage and film actors as well as makeup artists used various materials to create illusions … such as using burnt cork to create a dirty effect on the face, for use as a bald scalp covering, creating a beard shadow look, etc. Actors such as Lon Chaney and makeup artists such as Jack Pierce used this kind of product.

This casualty/nose putty product has never been opened and as a result, it was never used. It is in its original gold covering and is in beautiful condition for a product that is almost 100-years old, its gold wrapper makes it appear to be brand-new looking. After Ludwig Leichner created his theatrical grease-paint makeup line, he continued to expand it by adding numerous items to it such as this casualty/nose putty product and later as time went by, the Leichner Company created grease-paint stage, film and television makeup that were placed in squeeze-tubes (you may see this site for a few examples of them listed under: Leichner “Kamera Klear Film Makeup Foundation, "Colour film 3 shade” c. 1930 and under: Leichner “Alleromo Film” Makeup Foundation, N R. 17 – A103 shade. c. 1930) This is a very rare and unique find, especially for one that has never been opened and used ... and it is in very good condition.

The L. Leichner theatrical cosmetic company was established by Ludwig Leichner, a German opera singer. In 1873 he founded his Puder-und Schminken-fabril business at Schutzenstrasse 31, in Berlin Germany. It was reported that as a young man he had previously studied pharmacy or chemistry for a brief time after he had finished his schooling and before he decided to become a professional Wagnerian opera singer. He later possessed an interest in makeup for the theater due to his and other stage performers needs (and possibly to make extra money and to save himself money for the purchase of theatrical makeup.) It is said that he may have “consulted” with noted chemists of his time for advice and information in reference to making simple cosmetic ingredients for himself to use while working as a singer.

Once he had perfected his formula for making grease paint makeup for himself, he developed additional ones that he sold to his fellow stage performers. He and his wife started to make his stage makeup products at home in their kitchen around 1870. As news of his new grease makeup products spread by word of mouth, he received more and more orders for his makeup, as a result, his part time side business become very profitable and he decided to establish a full-time professional business establishment for the making of his theatrical makeup products. His new business venture required a larger and separate space for the storage of chemicals and other needed supplies and a place for him to the manufacture and store his finished products that were to be sold.

Being in the theatrical show business professional Leichner knew the importance of promoting one's self and one's products. He displayed and advertised his makeup products at various exhibitions and won awards for his theatrical makeup products at exhibitions in Brussels (1880,) Melbourne (in 1881,) Amsterdam (in 1883,) London (in 1891,) Vienna (in 1892,) Chicago (in 1893,) and Paris (in 1900.) In 1884, he hired promoters and sent them to travel the globe to promote his Theatrical Makeup Products.

This is a vintage liner that was used to line the face of early stage and silent screen actors for their various theatrical performances (singers, actors, clowns, etc.) Due to his theatrical makeup line being very successful, Ludwig Leichner passed away a very wealthy man in 1911 and the business was run by various family members. In 1966, Innoxa (England) Ltd. Acquired the L. Lecihner Company. It is unknown today if the L. Lechner Company is still in business since there is now little information available about it.

This product was once sold in the L. Leichner Ltd. London, England store that was located in Acre Lane, London S.W., 2, England.

Each vintage cosmetic has a unique and interesting story of its own.

This vintage item was previously part of the personal makeup collection of famed Hollywood makeup artist Ben Lane. Mr. Lane was the former Director of the Makeup Department for R.K.O. Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, and Warner Brothers Pictures and Warner Brothers Television. He was a makeup artist on a variety of classic films such as: The Good Earth, Gunga Din, Show Boat, and countless other films of the Golden Era of Hollywood. His last film before his retirement was the 1981 lovable classic film “Annie.” He was one of the original founders of the Motion Picture Makeup Artists Association (MPMAA,) which later in 1937 became the IATSE - Local 706, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Guild in Hollywood (the Film and Television union.) He was also a member of the Society of Makeup Artists (referred to as SMA on screen credits,) and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the International Society of Makeup Artists (also referred to as ISOMA – it is an International Association of Makeup Artists.) See the ISOMA Internet website: http://isomacosmetics.com/honors.htm to see pictures of Mr. Lane working and to read more about Mr. Lanes career under the heading on the left titled: ISOMA Honors.

Mr. Lane had a large unique collection of vintage Max Factor, Miners, Leichner, Steins, Chass. D. Hess, Zauder Bros, Warner Brothers, Westmore's of Hollywood, Chesebrough-Ponds, Colgate, Cutex, DeVilbliss, Don Juan, Dorothy Gray, Edna Wallace Hopper, Harriet Hubbard Ayers, Kurlash, Charles of the Ritz, Lady Ester, Lilly Dache, Marie Earle, Llouis Philippe, Luxor, Naylon by La Cross, Nu Masca, Park & Tilford, Ruth Rogers, Krypolan, Ben Nye, Bob Kelly, Hazel Bishop, Revlon, Maybelline, Shiseido, Mark Traynor, Makeup Center, Custom Color Cosmetics, ISOMA Cosmetics, and many more.

Many of the items in Mr. Lane's rare cosmetic collection were related to the good beauty and film industry, they were from his many years of working as a makeup artist in the entertainment industry of Hollywood ... such as face foundations from the 1935 Elizabeth Arden “Screen & Stage” Cosmetic line. Few people today know that this line even existed after Elizabeth Arden had spent millions of dollars manufacturing and promoting it, in. her quest to be the new Max Factor of Hollywood .... or the Elizabeth Arden of Hollywood. Ben Lane was one of Hollywood's premier makeup artists during the Golden Age of Hollywood movie making.

This is a nice addition for the vintage collector of cosmetic products and for the vintage collector of cosmetic movie memorabilia or for those that love items from a bygone era.

If vintage cosmetics could talk ... they would reveal amazing secrets and stories.