ABOUT ME

Education, Inspiration & Encouragement

My goal is to help you learn more about your treasures, inspire you to seek out new ones and to encourage you to keep going and expand your collection.

Perfume is one of the most exciting of feminine accessories. 

It has the power to delight your own senses enormously and to make you appear lovelier to others. 

Welcome to Cleopatra's Boudoir, ثلعہپاتراس بہءدہیر—your ultimate resource for all things perfume. This website is a carefully curated archive of information, tracing the history of fragrances from their earliest origins to modern-day creations. Here, you’ll find detailed research on perfume companies, manufacturing dates, and unbiased reviews, as well as insights into perfume bottle collecting, buying, and selling. Beyond fragrances, I also explore the fascinating world of historical beauty treatments, cosmetics, and boudoir accessories, offering a glimpse into the luxurious rituals of the past. I do the research so you don’t have to.

For collectors and enthusiasts, I provide a specialized appraisal service for perfume bottles, powder boxes, vanity items, and other ladies' accessories. Two appraisal options are available: a simple appraisal for $5.00, which provides an estimated value, and a comprehensive standard appraisal for $20.00, which includes detailed research on the perfume and its maker. For more details on this service, please visit the "What Is Your Perfume Worth?" page.

As a perfume historian and detective, I am passionate about uncovering information on both obscure and renowned fragrances, including those that have been discontinued and nearly forgotten. My goal is to document these lost scents, preserving their history for future generations. I strive to provide the most accurate perfume note breakdowns, relying on original sources such as manufacturers' descriptions, vintage advertisements, books, and articles. In cases where such records are unavailable, I rely on my own olfactory impressions, always making note of any potential degradation in the fragrance’s composition over time. While some perfumes may have lost their original complexity, I believe even an incomplete scent profile is valuable, particularly when it comes to reviving the memory of a long-lost fragrance.

Perfume is deeply personal, and no two people will perceive a scent in exactly the same way. One individual may describe a fragrance as a rich bouquet of apricot and peach, while another detects only roses. Some noses are blind to musk, while others find it unmistakable. Personally, I am particularly drawn to musk, ambergris, and orange blossom—notes that captivate me time and again. I welcome collaboration from fellow fragrance enthusiasts; if you identify additional notes in a perfume that I have reviewed, please reach out so I can update my posts. The internet has become an invaluable resource in the world of perfumery, allowing us to share knowledge and build a community of like-minded individuals. After all, not everyone has people in their immediate circle who understand a deep passion for perfume—something I know all too well!

I am also an active member of various online perfume communities, frequently offering my expertise on perfume bottles and fragrance history in Facebook groups. In the past, I have contributed to discussions on eBay’s Pottery, Glass & Porcelain board, Antiques board, Collectibles board, and the Health & Beauty board. To me, perfume is liquid history, and I take great joy in sharing my knowledge with others who appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship, and stories behind each bottle.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact me at cleopatrasboudoir@gmail.com.

 

Thank You:


I am happy to report that some of my knowledge about perfume bottles was featured in a 2008 article for SmartBuy by Business Line. The article is titled "On the scent trail".

Thank you to the Kovels for consulting my knowledge for their article on reproduction perfume bottles.

The warmest thanks to the friendly owners of the resurrected Parfums Cherigan, who published my review of their absolute gem, The Purple Bar, which has since replaced vintage Shalimar as my signature fragrance.

The deepest thanks goes to my friend Jana Menard over at the Fragrance Vault, a top-notch perfumery that specializes in high end, niche and vintage fragrances.

My (now defunct) eBay guides were featured in the article:

 “Tips and Guides on Types of Perfume” by www.patisseriedeliceroyal.com

Beauty Bible Blog has this to say about Cleopatra's Boudoir:

 "We've always had a 'thing' for vintage perfumes and perfume bottles (though not quite in the league of our friend Roja Dove and his world-class flacon collection). So on our peregrinations through cyberspace we were pleased to stumble across a US website - Cleopatra's Boudoir - which focuses on old bottles, the websites where you can find them, discontinued scents (how we long to have smelled Bonne Belle's Gadabouts, Lundborg's Stolen Secret or Atkinson's A Nosegay, for instance...) - and also features a blog about the author's fragrant vintage 'finds'. (Recent postings include Cobra by Weil, Fabergé's Straw Hat, or - oh, an old chypre favourite of Jo's, this - Sikkim, which was briefly revived by Lancôme about five years ago, but then disappeared once again into the ether.) We say: this Temple to Ancient Perfumes is a must-have addition to the blog-roll for any fragrance fiend. "

Thank you to Wanderlust and Pixie Dust and the Jazz Age on Facebook for featuring my article on Boudoir Dolls.

Thank you to Runway Magazine for featuring me in your Guerlain article.

Thank you to The Perfume Magazine for featuring my articles on vintage fragrances.

Thank you to Lizzie Ostrom, also known professionally as Odette Toilette for credit given to my blog in her book, Perfume, A Century of Scents.

Thank you to author Gregory N. Daugherty for the credit of my site in his book, The Reception of Cleopatra in the Age of Mass Media, published in 2022.

A huge thank you for the sincerest recognition to Amelia over at The Vintage Perfume Vault, of whom I quote the following: 

"...but my favorite Houbigant catalog (the most historically complete and accurate to this point) has been published online at Fragrantica by member Grace E. Hummel. Many of you may know her also as Cleopatra of Cleopatra's Boudoir- to me she is a hero of the free information movement on the Internet and especially in the area of vintage perfume, without parallel."

Thank you to Ms Dow Antiques for the sincere gratitude for my entry on Ahmed Soliman: 

"According to the excellent perfume bottle history blog Cleopatra's Boudoir.." 

Thank you to my friends over at the Perfume Passage for including me as one of their resources. 

Thank you to both Neatorama,  DailyKos and Atlas Obscura for mentioning me regarding Tear Catcher Perfume Bottles.

Thank you to New Yorker State of Mind for mentioning my site in your article. 

Thank you to the Kovels for including my information about fake perfume bottles on your website.

Thank you to the Kafkaesque blog  (the author wishes to remain anonymous) for mentioning my Guerlain perfume blog. 

Thank you for Eden Botanicals for crediting my blog.

Thank you always to my supportive friends over at Fragrantica for mentioning me and my knowledge.

Thank you to my friends, Pauline & Joan, the Turco sisters, over at Scentserely for crediting me as a reference. Don't forget to check out their very informative volume, The Crown Top Book.

Thank you for medium.com for mentioning my information about fake perfumes.

Thank you to my dear friend in fragrance, Andre Moreau over at Raiders of the Lost Scent for the credits.

Thank you to The Perfumed Guillotine for mentioning my Guerlain blogsite.

Thank you to Love Vintage for including this site in your article on perfumes.

Thank you to The Broke Costumer for mentioning my ebay guides (which are now, unfortunately defunct) in your article on Egyptomania.

Thank you to Born To Be A Unicorn for mentioning my Guerlain blog.

Thank you to virago over at ask.metafilter for mentioning me and my blog.

Thank you to Big Girl Rhapsody for mentioning me in your article on Angelique.

Thank you to The Artful Rabbit for mentioning my blog in your article on vintage perfume.

Thank you for the credit in your thesis Mari Khasmanyan .

Thank you for the credit Muse in the Wooden Shoes.

Thank you to Scent Grail for adding me to your references a a "gold mine about dating vintage perfumery."

Thank you to MSU for including my info on Langlois, note: used my old web address.

Thank you to Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art for the credit on my post of Niki de Saint Phalle

Thank you to Mary May Robertson for the credit in her book, The Marriage between Perfume and the Lyric Stage.

Thank you to Uri M. Kupferschmidt for the credit in his book, The Diffusion of "Small" Western Technologies in the Middle East.

Thank you to Jilene Chua for credit in the publication, Monsieur: meanings and practices of elegance 1920-1924.

Thank you to Eva Berville for credit in the publication La maison de haute couture Maggy Rouff de 1929 à 1948

Thank you to the Tinker Cottage Museum for the credit on their article on Victorian Beauty Trends.

Thank you to Sheila Ann Byle for credit in your thesis on my favorite subject: The Essence and Use of Perfume in Ancient Egypt.

Thank you to the Beaufort County Government for credit (on my defunct blog) in your Archaeological Data Recovery at Mitchelville (38BU2301) Hilton Head Island Airport Improvements Study Area.

Thank you to Gregory Daugherty for credit in The Reception of Cleopatra in the Age of Mass Media.

Thank you to Cherry Cheng for mentioning my site in the interview with the Dry Down Diaries.

Personal Details: 

My name is Grace Elizabeth Arnone Hummel, though in the perfume world, I am better known as "Cleopatra’s Boudoir" or simply "Cleopatra." As a 45-year-old antique dealer and perfume aficionado, I have devoted my life to uncovering the history of fragrances, vintage vanity treasures, and rare collectibles. I reside in beautiful southern New Jersey, where I share my home with my husband and my sister—as well as a lively family of feline companions.

Cats have always held a special place in my heart, and over the years, I have welcomed many into my home. Among my current companions are my beloved tabbies: Buddy, Princess, and Astraea. My journey with Grayson and Grace began nine years ago when I initially fostered them from a local animal shelter.  Beyond my own cats, I am passionate about animal welfare and foster kittens from a local shelter, providing them with love and care until they find permanent homes. I also feed and care for the community cats in my neighborhood, ensuring they are safe and well-fed. Over time, I have taken in several strays who have become part of my family, including two affectionate tabbies, Sox and Roseberry, and a striking Nebelung-type cat named Roxy. Each of them has a unique personality, and I find great joy in giving them the comfort and stability they deserve.

My love for history, antiques, and perfume is beautifully intertwined with my dedication to animal rescue. Whether I am researching a rare fragrance, curating a collection of vintage vanity items, or caring for a newly rescued kitten, I find fulfillment in preserving the past while making a difference in the present.

Princess & Buddy

Collecting has always been a passion of mine, with perfume bottles holding a special place in my heart. Over the years, my interests have spanned a variety of antique and vintage treasures. I once avidly collected RS Prussia, Limoges, and Nippon porcelain, as well as antique jewelry, vintage clothing, and accessories such as parasols, hats, fans, and intricately beaded or mesh purses from the mid-1800s to the 1930s. The elegance and craftsmanship of the Victorian and Edwardian eras have always fascinated me, leading me to curate collections of scrapbooks, postcards, die cuts, Victorian trade cards, Valentine cards, chatelaines, and mourning items.

My love for history extends to antique vanity and decorative items, including Moser-type Bohemian glass, sterling silver vanity sets, jeweled vanity pieces, and Czech crystal scent bottles. The delicate beauty of Meissen and German bisque figurines, Battersea enamel snuff and patch boxes, and antique textiles and lace also captivated me. Over time, I developed an appreciation for the sleek elegance of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly Art Deco jewelry, with a special fondness for Czech designs. While many of these collections have evolved over the years, I still hold onto a small but cherished selection of these treasures.

Like many collectors, my tastes have changed over time, and certain pieces have been sold as new interests emerged or circumstances dictated. However, I have held onto a small collection of antique German bisque spill vases and figurines, as well as some old Nippon & Dresden porcelain that I still adore.

Since 1999, I have used the name "Cleopatra’s Boudoir" as my nom de plume, both online and in print. I am not affiliated with any other blogs or entities using this name. In 2008, I launched my website as a resource for those who may not have access to rare books or research materials but are eager to learn about perfumes and their histories. My goal has always been to document and share knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

My eBay seller identities, starting in 1999, were cleopatra*s_boudoir and debras*antiques, the latter named in honor of my mother.

Over the years, I have included perfume reviews in my articles, but one of my greatest passions—beyond perfume shopping—is sampling long-forgotten fragrances that have been discontinued for decades. This allows me to reconstruct potential scent profiles that may not exist in any other online or offline publications. If you have any vintage perfume samples you would like to donate, I would be immensely grateful—and so would my readers. Imagine a fragrance from your youth, or one that your mother or grandmother once wore, whose scent has faded from memory. Whether you recall the name but not the aroma, or only have a vague recollection, you may be able to rediscover that lost fragrance here.

If you find yourself with unwanted perfume bottles, samples, or discovery sets, please don’t throw them away! I would be truly grateful if you would consider donating them my way, as they play a valuable role in my ongoing research. Each bottle, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, helps to piece together the history of fragrances—whether it be identifying rare or discontinued scents, analyzing changes in formulations, or preserving a record of olfactory artistry for future reference.

Perfume samples and discovery sets are especially useful in broadening my knowledge of various fragrance compositions, allowing me to document and compare notes with historical references. Even partially used bottles or those with just residues, can provide insight into aging processes, ingredient stability, and the evolution of a fragrance over time. By contributing to this research, you are not only helping me but also assisting others who seek to reconnect with scents from their past or uncover the stories behind forgotten perfumes.

If you have any perfume items you no longer need, I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to give them a new purpose. Your generosity ensures that these fragrances continue to be studied, appreciated, and remembered.

Accolades and Memberships

Throughout my journey as a perfume historian and collector, I have been honored to be part of several prestigious organizations and platforms dedicated to fragrance appreciation and research.

Over the years, I have enjoyed been a member of the International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA), a distinguished organization that brings together collectors, historians, and enthusiasts with a shared passion for perfume bottles and their history.

As a writer for Fragrantica Online Magazine, I have contributed articles focusing on vintage fragrances, documenting their compositions, histories, and cultural significance. Additionally, I have been an active member of Makeup Alley under the screen name cleopatrasboudoir, engaging in discussions on vintage perfumes, beauty products, and historical fragrance trends.

I have had the privilege of serving on Sniffapalooza’s Fragrance Advisory Board, where I collaborated with other fragrance experts and enthusiasts to provide insights on emerging trends, niche perfumes, and classic scents. My expertise has also been recognized by Allure Magazine, where I participated as a member of their Beauty Panel, offering opinions on perfumes and beauty products.

My contributions to the world of fragrance journalism include my work as a writer for The Perfume Magazine, where I explored vintage and discontinued perfumes, uncovering their unique stories and compositions. In addition, I am the owner and operator of Cleopatra’s Boudoir, my primary website dedicated to perfume history, as well as over 80 blog sites, each focusing on different perfume houses and their legacies.

Over the years, I have also authored more than 200 guides on vintage perfumes and their companies for eBay, providing detailed insights to collectors and fragrance enthusiasts (now unfortunately defunct). My expertise and contributions to the field have been recognized by my inclusion in the Worldwide Who’s Who of Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals, an honor that acknowledges my dedication to preserving and sharing the history of perfume.

FRAGRANCES I WEAR:

I often get emails asking me what my favorite perfumes are or what is in my perfume wardrobe. I prefer the following in reference to fragrances: Ambery fragrances (formerly known as orientals), opulent florals, woody, vanilla, spicy, incense, gourmand, sweet, heady, seductive, tobacco, musky, animalic. I am currently coveting the Shalimar Ode de la Vanille scents.

This is just a small list but I wear the following perfumes:

• Alien by Thierry Mugler
• Alien Absolue by Mugler
• Ambre Gris by Balmain
• Angel by Thierry Mugler
• Angel Leather by Mugler
• Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez
• Balenciaga Paris by Balenciaga (I also love the L'Essence version)
• Bhagavan by Durrani
• Black Cashmere by Donna Karan
• Black Orchid by Tom Ford
• Boucheron by Boucheron (vintage version)
• Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan
• Casmir by Chopard
• C'est la Vie by Christian Lacroix
• Chergui by Serge Lutens
• Cobra by Weil
• Coco by Chanel (vintage version)
• Cornubia by Penhaligon's
• Cuir Mauresque by Serge Lutens (need this)
• Datura Blanche by Keiko Mecheri (Original - one of my go-to perfumes)
• Dior Addict (original)
• Divine Decadence by Marc Jacobs
• Douceur de Vanille by Les Néréides
• Fleur Nocturne by Isabey
• Fracas by Robert Piguet
• Gardenia by Isabey
• Hypnotic Poison by Dior
• Indulge by Eadward
• Insolence by Guerlain
• Intense Tiare by Montale (need this)
• Jaipur by Boucheron
• Jovan White Musk
• Jungle Elephant by Kenzo
• Juju by Joots
• L de Lolita Lempicka
• L de Lolita Lempicka Fleur de Corail
• L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain
• La Route d'Emeraude by Isabey
• Lolita Lempicka
• Love in Black by Creed
• Love, The Key To Life by Linda Gerlach
• LouLou by Cacharel
• Lys Noir by Isabey
• Mon Précieux Nectar by Guerlain
• Nilang by Lalique (vintage version)
• Objet Céleste by Volnay
• Organza Indecence by Givenchy
• Oro by Roberto Cavalli
• Oropuro by Laura Tonatto (love this, need more)
• Poison by Christian Dior (vintage version only)
• Prends Moi by Isabey (need this)
• Pure by DKNY
• Pure Poison by Christian Dior
• Python by Trussardi
• Safanad by Parfums de Marly (need this!)
• Sahara Noir by Tom Ford
• Samsara by Guerlain
• Shalimar by Guerlain
• Shalimar Ode de la Vanille sur la Route du Mexique by Guerlain
• Shalimar Parfum Initial by Guerlain
• Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau by Guerlain
• Songes by Annick Goutal
• Sweet Oriental Dream by Montale (need this)
• Tabac Blond by Caron (need this)
• Tendre Nuit by Isabey (need this)
• The Purple Bar by Cherigan
• Violetta by Penhaligon's