Key chain (68)

This auction offers a large and varied collection of 68 vintage advertising keychains, predominantly from France, with several examples from Western Europe, dating mainly from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The collection illustrates the richness of post-war European commercial advertising, featuring everyday consumer products and promotional objects that were originally produced in limited numbers and rarely preserved in large groups.

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Content & Notable Highlights

The lot includes a wide range of porte-clés publicitaires, covering multiple categories:
• Food & grocery advertising (biscuits, chocolate, dairy products, spices, beverages)
• Alcohol & aperitif brands (miniature bottles and bottle-shaped keychains)
• Household and personal care products
• Automotive, fuel, and utility brands

A strong highlight of this collection is the presence of figurative and novelty keychains, including:
• Miniature bottles, jars, cans, and packaging
• Animals and characters (dog, squirrel, bird, human figures)
• Sports and symbolic objects (football, boots, medals)
• Leather-mounted keychains with metal letters
• Metal and medallion-type keychains, some with stamped or cast details
• Mixed-material constructions typical of mid-century design

The diversity of shapes, materials, and themes makes this lot especially appealing for collectors and dealers.

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

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

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Condition
• Overall good to fair vintage condition, consistent with age and original use
• Typical signs of wear: surface scratches, patina, minor oxidation, discoloration, wear to printed inserts
• Some keychains show heavier use, others remain well preserved
• No modern reproductions observed; items appear authentic and period-correct

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Quantity
• 68 individual vintage keychains
• Sold strictly as one complete lot

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Collector’s Note

Vintage advertising keychains were functional objects and were rarely kept intentionally. Today, large mixed lots with figurative, metal, and miniature examples are increasingly difficult to find.
This collection is ideal for:
• Collectors of vintage advertising and ephemera
• Dealers and resellers
• Display, thematic curation, or further selection

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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 regulations 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 issue such evaluations, which may result in delays, additional costs, or confiscation.

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