1970s Stratton Powder Compact: Liberty of London St George Clock, Original Box, Made in England

A wonderful circa 1970s Stratton powder compact produced for Liberty of London, featuring the famous Liberty Clock with St George and the Dragon.

The colourful design is based on the celebrated clock installed at Liberty’s London store in 1925. Around the edge is its memorable motto:

“No minute gone comes ever back again, take heed and see ye nothing do in vain.”

The design depicts St George on horseback, the dragon and a wonderful assortment of figures and creatures surrounding a miniature clock face at the centre.

This appears to be a later issue of an earlier Liberty compact design, produced in Stratton’s convertible format. It measures approximately 8 cm in diameter and has a bright gold-tone case with a patterned reverse.

Inside is Stratton’s convertible powder fitting, designed for use with either pressed or loose powder. It retains its pink Stratton Made in England powder puff and instruction insert.

Particularly lovely is the original Liberty of London presentation box, complete with its printed verse explaining the St George design:

“St. George he fought for England
a dragon he did slay
above the clock at Liberty
He strikes the chimes each day…”

The compact is in attractive vintage condition overall, with some age-related wear. The mirror has significant fogging/desilvering, which can clearly be seen in the photographs. The decorated front remains bright and colourful and the gold-tone case presents very well.

A fabulous and unusual piece combining two great British names, Stratton and Liberty of London, and especially appealing as such a complete example with its box, puff and instructions.