The Bertha Hair Clip: A Collector’s Guide to Its Second Colour Series

If you have ever browsed a vintage market stall in Brighton or sifted through a box lot at a Suffolk auction, you may have spotted a small, curved hair clip with a distinctive ridged back and a softly domed top. That clip is often the Bertha — a British hair accessory that first appeared in the late 1940s and enjoyed a quiet but devoted following through the 1960s. What makes the Bertha particularly fascinating for collectors today is the existence of a second colour series, known informally among enthusiasts as “Colours 2,” which was released around 1962. This article walks through the history of that series, the materials and manufacturing techniques behind it, and how to identify, wear, and care for these clips.

Origins of the Bertha Clip

The Bertha was produced by a small Birmingham-based company, Harrison & Webb, which specialised in small metal-and-acetate hair ornaments. The original Bertha (sometimes called the “Bertha No. 1”) used a single piece of tortoiseshell-coloured acetate over a brass spring hinge. It was modest, functional, and sold in chemists and department stores for a few shillings. By the late 1950s, the company had refined the design: the acetate top became thicker, the hinge was reinforced, and the clip could hold a substantial section of hair without slipping. The first colour range consisted of four shades: tortoiseshell, dark brown, black, and a pale cream.

The Arrival of Colours 2

In 1962, Harrison & Webb introduced the “Bertha Colours 2” line. The company had noticed a shift in young women’s fashion: brighter, bolder hues were becoming acceptable for everyday wear, and the mod subculture was beginning to experiment with pastels and primaries. The new series abandoned the tortoiseshell look entirely in favour of solid, semi-translucent acetate colours. Six shades were produced: coral pink, mint green, lavender, butter yellow, sky blue, and a very pale peach. Each clip was stamped “Bertha 2” on the inside of the metal hinge — a crucial detail for authentication.

Materials and Construction

The Colours 2 clips were made from cellulose acetate, a thermoplastic that was popular in mid-century accessory manufacturing because it could be dyed in vivid, lightfast shades and polished to a high gloss. The top piece was moulded in a single operation, then hand-filed to remove flash lines. The metal spring mechanism was made of nickel-plated brass, with a thin steel wire wrapped around the hinge pin to provide tension. Unlike cheaper clips of the era, the Bertha hinge was designed to be repairable: a small screw at the base could be turned to adjust pressure. This attention to durability is one reason so many Berthas survive today.

Identifying Authentic Bertha Colours 2 Clips

Because the Bertha was produced in relatively small numbers — estimates suggest fewer than 10,000 clips in the Colours 2 run — fakes and misattributions are rare but do exist. Here is a practical checklist for verification:

• Stamp: Look for “Bertha 2” embossed on the metal hinge, usually near the screw. The letters are small and slightly uneven, a sign of hand-stamping.
• Colour depth: Genuine acetate has a subtle translucency; hold the clip up to light and you should see a faint glow through the material. Modern resin copies are usually opaque.
• Hinge screw: The original screw is flat-headed with a single slot. Later reproductions often use Phillips-head screws.
• Weight: A real Bertha feels substantial — roughly 8 grams — because of the thick acetate top. Imitations are lighter and feel hollow.

Styling Bertha Clips with a Modern Wardrobe

One of the pleasures of the Bertha Colours 2 series is how easily the pastel shades integrate into contemporary outfits. A coral pink clip can be worn as a single accent at the nape of the neck with a white linen shirt and tailored trousers — the effect is clean, not costume-like. For a more layered look, two clips in different colours (say, mint and lavender) can be placed on opposite sides of a low bun. The key is to let the clip sit slightly loose so that the colour catches the light. Because the Bertha is small (about 4 cm across), it works well on shorter hair or as a detail in a half-up style. For those building a curated collection, the approach outlined in Collections Maison Archives x Vintage: Curating a Personal Archive of Hair Accessories offers a thoughtful methodology for selecting pieces that complement both vintage and modern garments.

Care and Preservation

Cellulose acetate is sensitive to heat and humidity. Never store Bertha clips in direct sunlight or near a radiator, as the acetate may warp or develop a cloudy bloom. Clean them with a soft, dry cloth; if the clip is sticky from old hairspray residue, dab the metal hinge with a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud — avoid getting alcohol on the acetate. The spring tension can be adjusted by turning the screw a quarter-turn clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen. If a clip becomes too loose to hold hair, a small drop of sewing machine oil on the hinge pin will restore smooth movement. Avoid using pliers on the screw; a small jeweller’s screwdriver is ideal.

Building a Colour Set

Because the Colours 2 series had only six shades, some collectors aim to acquire the full rainbow. The rarest colour is the pale peach, which was produced for only a single season in 1963 when Harrison & Webb experimented with a pastel that proved difficult to mould without bubbles. A complete set in good condition — all six clips, each with a clear “Bertha 2” stamp and no cracks — can fetch £150–£200 at specialist vintage accessory fairs. Individual clips typically sell for £15–£30 depending on colour and condition. Mint green and sky blue are the most common, while coral and lavender appear less frequently.

Where to Look

British charity shops in smaller towns sometimes still have Bertha clips in their jewellery boxes, priced at a pound or two because the staff do not recognise the name. Online platforms like eBay and Etsy are more reliable for specific colour hunting, but you will pay a premium. When buying online, always ask the seller for a photo of the hinge stamp — many listings mistakenly call any curved acetate clip a “Bertha.” The true Bertha Colours 2 has a distinct profile: the top is slightly wider than the hinge, and the edges are softly rounded rather than sharp.

A Final Practical Note

If you find a Bertha clip that is missing its hinge screw, do not discard it. The screw size is a standard British 4BA thread, and replacement screws can be sourced from model engineering suppliers for a few pence. A missing screw is often the reason a clip was discarded in the 1960s, and fitting a new one brings the piece back to full function. That small act of repair — a new screw, a drop of oil — keeps the Bertha Colours 2 series alive for another generation of wearers who appreciate the quiet craft of a well-made hair accessory.