Morny was established in 1905 by chemist-perfumer Sidney F. Goss at 110 New Bond Street, London. The company was named after a horse called Mornington ridden by Victorian jockey Tom Cannon.
The shop was decorated and fitted out in an English refinement of French style by S. Maw & Sons. In June 1906, the company moved to one-story premises at 201 Regent Street and traded as Morny’s Pharmacy Stores. Their perfumes were often named after music titles and themes. The company was placed in liquidation in July 1908 and S F Goss had ceased to be involved with company by then due to ill health, he subsequently died on the 26th of March 1911.
A new trading company was formed in April 1909 under the name 'de Morny', with the sub-heading 'Parfums-Products de France' at 201 Regent Street. Reformed in 1918 as Morny Frères Ltd.
To convey the French image that was so desirable in the perfume market, the company added a "de" in front of its name. They sold luxurious French style presentations with perfumes with French names, The company was so successful in France that it opened a branch in Paris.
The shop was decorated and fitted out in an English refinement of French style by S. Maw & Sons. In June 1906, the company moved to one-story premises at 201 Regent Street and traded as Morny’s Pharmacy Stores. Their perfumes were often named after music titles and themes. The company was placed in liquidation in July 1908 and S F Goss had ceased to be involved with company by then due to ill health, he subsequently died on the 26th of March 1911.
A new trading company was formed in April 1909 under the name 'de Morny', with the sub-heading 'Parfums-Products de France' at 201 Regent Street. Reformed in 1918 as Morny Frères Ltd.
To convey the French image that was so desirable in the perfume market, the company added a "de" in front of its name. They sold luxurious French style presentations with perfumes with French names, The company was so successful in France that it opened a branch in Paris.
In 1965, the company was acquired by Lenthéric, a subsidiary of British-American Cosmetic Division, part of BAT. In 1967, BAT bought Yardley & Co and Lenthéric and Morny products integrated with Yardley’s. Morny and Lenthéric were relaunched in 2001 under new proprietors. Today you can find toiletries sold under the Morny name.
The perfumes of Morny:
- 1908 Chaminade
- 1910 Yesha
- 1911 Triomphe
- 1911 June Roses
- 1911 Violette Morny
- 1911 Rose Verveine
- 1912 La Valse
- 1913 Essence Mystérieuse
- 1915 Sérénade
- 1920 Nocturne
- 1920 Nuit de Carnaval (discontinued by 1932)
- 1922 Narcisse Blanc et Noir
- 1922 Jasmin
- 1923 Chypre
- 1923 Fantaisée/Fantaisie
- 1923 Quintessence Violette
- 1923 Ravenelle
- 1925 Crème Carnaval
- 1926 Tentation
- 1929 Gardenia
- 1930 Rose Geranium
- 1932 Carnation
- 1932 Oak Leaf Geranium
- 1932 Lily of the Valley
- 1932 Pink Lilac
- 1936 French Fern
- 1937 Eau de Cologne
- 1948 Sandalwood
- 1948 French Lilac
- 1948 Verbena
- 1948 Wild Rose
- 1960 Blue Carnation
- 1960 Fantasy
- 1964 Lavender Flowers
- 1971 Liberty (spicy, soft, jasmine, lily, rose, amber, musk, sandalwood, balsam, vanilla)
- Dare
Morny's Fine Perfumes:
In 1932 the following perfumes were considered Morny's Fine Perfumes:- Chaminade
- Carnation
- Chypre
- Essence Mysterieuse
- Jasmin
- June Roses
- Lily of the Valley
- Narcisse Blanc et Noir
- Nuit de Carnaval (withdrawn in 1932)
- Oak Leaf Geranium
- Pink Lilac
- Quintessence Violette
They were housed in their "Doré Model" bottles in five sizes: 1/4, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, 1 1/2 oz and 4 oz, and presented in upright boxes covered with paper simulating Thuya wood and edged in gold.
Some of these perfumes could also be purchased housed in the 1 1/2 oz "Boule" bottles fitted with silk tassels and presented in drop front boxes. These perfumes were: Chaminade, Chypre, Essence Mysterieuse, Fantasie, Jasmin, June Roses, Lily of the Valley, Narcisse Blanc et Noir, and Pink Lilac.
Also available were the 3 oz "Octagonal Pyramid Gold Stoppered" bottles presented in suedine boxes. These were: Chaminade, Essence Mysterieuse, June Roses, and Narcisse Blanc et Noir.
The perfumes were also housed in the "Standard Model" bottles in several sizes: 1oz, 1 1/2 oz, 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz.
The Eaux de Cologne and Lavender Waters were housed in various bottles: "Stoppered Doré Model Bottles", "Flat Bottles with Sprinklers", "Tall Square Bottles with Sprinklers", "Tall Square Bottles with Satinée Button Stoppers", "Brown Stained Wickered Bottles", and "German Shape Bottles with Sprinklers."
Chaminade (Song of the Road) was dedicated by special permission of Madame Chaminade, featured a few bars of her song and her signature was used on the perfume’s label.
By 1919, Chaminade, June Roses and Essence Mysterieuse were full lines and various products were scented with their perfume, such as: perfume, talcum powder, bath salts,bath dusting powder, complexion powder, toilet soap, bath soap deluxe, sachets, shampoo powder and tooth powder, even potpourri.
Narcisse Blanc et Noir was presented in a box and bottle designed by André Jollivet.
I wish I could still get Morny Liberty perfume as it was my very favourite in the mid-seventies - still have a tiny bit left.
ReplyDeleteCan you please tell me where I can get some morny french fern .... I'd love to have some again have tried everywhere for years any help please....
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