Key chain (70)

This auction features a large and carefully assembled lot of approximately 70 vintage advertising keychains, primarily originating from France, with some examples from Western Europe, dating from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The collection represents an excellent overview of mid-20th-century commercial advertising, including everyday consumer products, regional brands, and promotional items that were originally distributed in limited quantities and intended for daily use.

Content & Highlights

The lot includes a wide variety of porte-clés publicitaires, such as:
• Food, grocery, and confectionery brands (biscuits, chocolate, cheese, spices, beverages)
• Dairy and regional products
• Household and personal care advertising
• Automotive, fuel, and utility-related items

Several standout pieces are present in this collection:
• Figurative keychains (boxing glove, fruit, bottle, characters, objects)
• Miniature objects and novelty shapes (bottles, tools, everyday items)
• Metal keychains, including medals, enamelled pieces, and stamped alloys
• Leather-mounted examples and mixed-material constructions
• Encapsulated paper inserts typical of the 1950s–60s advertising style

The visual diversity, materials, and forms make this lot particularly attractive for collectors of vintage advertising, ephemera, and design objects.

Period & Origin
• Country: Predominantly France
• Region: Western Europe
• Period: circa 1950–1970 (some possibly slightly later)
• Era: Post-war / Mid-century consumer culture

Materials
• Plastic and early acrylic
• Metal (aluminium alloy, zamak, brass-tone alloys)
• Leather and mixed materials

Condition
• Overall good to fair vintage condition, consistent with age and use
• Signs of wear include surface scratches, patina, minor oxidation, discoloration, and wear to printed inserts
• No modern reproductions observed; items appear authentic and period-correct

Quantity
• Approximately 70 individual keychains
• Sold strictly as one complete lot

Collector’s Value

Vintage advertising keychains were functional objects and rarely preserved intentionally. As a result, large mixed collections with figurative and metal examples are becoming increasingly scarce. This lot is ideal for:
• Collectors
• Dealers
• Display, resale, or thematic curation

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Shipping & Important Notice

Shipping is offered exclusively within the European Union (EU ONLY).
Shipping outside the EU is not available.

Reason:
Romanian customs authorities require cultural export clearance for vintage and collectible items. At present, there are no officially recognized art or antique experts available locally in Romania to perform such evaluations, which may result in delays, additional costs, or confiscation.

By placing a bid, the buyer explicitly agrees to EU-only delivery.
• Secure and careful packaging
• Tracked and insured shipping within the EU