Spanish Geranium by Lanvin c1925

Géranium D'Espagne by Lanvin: launched in 1925, created by Madame Marie Zede, and later may have been tweaked by Andre Fraysse. WWII halted production of the perfume but by 1950 it was re-introduced and renamed Spanish Geranium in 1951 for the US market.

The scent was available in parfum extrait, dusting powder, bath oil, Eau de Lanvin (a toilet water), eau de parfum mist , talcum powder and in 1957, the perfume was available in pink, hard milled soap bars by Lanvin.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? A fresh, spicy floral perfume with dominant geranium and rose notes.

• Top notes: aldehydes, geranium, lemon, bergamot
• Middle notes: palmarosa, carnation, rose geranium, pepper
• Base notes: tonka, oakmoss, ambergris, patchouli, benzoin, civet, sandalwood

A friend of mine, Tina, generously sent me a sample of this fabulous, fresh, tangy perfume. It starts out very crisp with the green, herbal, spiced, pungency of a fresh geranium blossom, mixed with sun-drenched creamy rose geraniums and vibrant lemons or bergamot too, then it mellows out to a beautiful oakmoss , palmarosa, patchouli and amber blend with hints of sweet benzoin, sandalwood and civet. After an hour, I can still detect the lemon and fresh geranium notes. The perfume is very heady, and definitely a wonderfully made true to life geranium perfume.

The perfume is almost masculine in its composition and reminds me a little of Early American Old Spice, because of the geranium notes. Spanish Geranium was reportedly a favorite of Joan Crawford and I can certainly see why, it is excruciatingly intoxicating. If Lanvin were to revive a version of this, I am sure it would be loved by many as it was for decades before it was discontinued.


Drug & Cosmetic Industry, 1936:

"RENAUD'S "Parfums of Royalty" trio comes in individual flacons in French ivory containers for the purse,- three odors. Renaud also presents a new size flacon packaged in a jewel case holding 1 '4 drams. LANVIN'S Geranium d'Espagne eau de cologne."

Vogue, 1938:

"Lanvin's Heavenly Twins — the new Eau de Cologne and the lovely "Geranium d'Espagne." A new atomizer for any of the Lanvin favourites."

Stage, 1939:

"Lanvin's Heavenly Twins, including the famous Geranium d'Espagne — and nothing is more springy — and the Lanvin Eau de Cologne — a fresh, exhilarating scent."

Motion Picture, 1951:

"By popular demand, Lanvin re-produces Spanish Geranium, fragrant and fruity, fitting in so well with the timely Spanish trend."

Express and News from San Antonio, Texas, 1960:

"NEW FOR CHRISTMAS: LANVIN'S SPANISH GERANIUM Let your lady be among Ihe first to wear Lanvin's entrancing new scent of geraniums with a Spanish lilt, romantic as castle gardens, warm and alluring as a love song! Beautifully in keeping with the holiday mood, Spanish Geranium is also a wonderful accompaniment to warm-climate resorting . . . so wherever she goes, the lady will bask in an aura of exquisite fragrance. Eau de Lanvin, 3.00 to 8.50. Spray Mist, 5.00. Bath Powder, 5.00. Bath Oil, 3.75. All plus tax. Soap, box of 3, 3.50."

A 1963 advertisement reads:

"Spanish Geranium by Lanvin. The lure and mystery of Spain are brought to life brought to you with Spanish Geranium's exotic scent"

House and Garden, 1969:

"It's a trick of Lanvin's light Spanish Geranium Cologne that when you smell it you can instantly see those pale mossy leaves — a very green summer fragrance." 

Bottles:

Fate of the Fragrance:

Lanvin filed a trademark for the name Spanish Geranium in 1956, it was later revived in 1962 but dead by 1988. The perfume was discontinued in 1970.

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