Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant c1912

Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant: launched in 1912, created by perfumer Robert Bienaime, was one of the first floral bouquet ever produced.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women. It begins with a fresh flowery top, followed by a multi faceted floral heart, resting on a powdery floral base.

• Top notes: aldehydes, green violet leaves, citrus oils, orange blossom, hyacinth, orchid, honey
• Middle notes: lilac, jasmine, rose de mai, carnation, ylang ylang, orris, violet, lily of the valley, orris
• Base notes: heliotrope, honey, musk, civet, vanilla and sandalwood

Original prices in 1920.

Based on the original prices using an inflation calculator, these products would cost the following in 2012 money:

• Ideal extract would cost $48.16 to $93.50 in 2012.
• Ideal toilet water would cost $82.16.
• Ideal face powder would cost $56.66.
• Ideal Talcum would cost $11.33.
• Quelques Fleurs extract would cost $59.50 to $215.32.
• Quelques Fleurs toilet water would cost $100.86.
• Quelques Fleurs bath salts would cost $28.33.
• Quelques Fleurs face powder would cost $70.83.
• Quelques Fleurs talcum would cost $11.33.

Perfumery and Essential Oil Record - Volume 3 , 1912:

"THE name Houbigant in the perfumery world stands for all that is rich, elegant, and time- honoured. ... Within the last few weeks a new perfume, " Quelques Fleurs," has been perfected, and has already attained great popularity in Paris."

Theatre Magazine, 1916:

"Did you know that Houbigant, for the first time, is putting out his expensive perfumes. Ideal. Coeur de Jeanette, Quelques Fleurs in dollar bottles? You will find them all at the perfume counter in Frenchy dresses of opaque glass."

Asia: Journal of the American Asiatic Association - Volume 27, Issue 12, 1927:

"The most successful odeurs of perfume history arc Quelques Fleurs and Le Parfum Ideal, by Houbigant. C. These odeurs, in the Louis XV bottle designed for Houbigant by Baccarat, of Paris, are especially appropriate as gifts — each is $25.00."

Vanity Fair, 1929:

"QUELQUES FLEURS or Le Parfum Ideal in a silk-lined Chamois case that plays treasure chest for these incomparable fragrance. $20 the Grand Flacon with Atomizer. QUELQUES FLEURS OR Le PARFUM IDEAL in the most luxurious flacon that ever imprisoned a fragrance. A Louis XV gold embellished bottle serves as a befitting shrine for the supreme perfumes."

The Judge, 1929:

"QUELQUES FLEURS Houbigant's fragrant expression of eternal modern youth. The Perfume that has enslaved the smart sophisticates of two continents. In an exquisite silk-lined gift box, $7.50. Other sizes at $1, $2, $4 and $15."

Harper's Bazaar, 1933:

"QUELQUES FLEURS— "Many flowers," perhaps the world's favorite perfume— $2.20 to $30.00"

American Druggist, 1939:

"Houbigant "Little Original" Parfum Quelques Fleurs Extract "double dram" replica of "Modele Original." Perfume. Quelques Fleurs. Replica flacon and coffret. Retail. $1.50"

Ladies Home Journal, 1949: "QUELQUES FLEURS (Pronounced "Kelka Flur")

• Perfume $18.50, $12.50, $7.50, $3.50
• Eau de Toilette $3.75, $2.50 
• Sachet Powder $1.75 
• Bath Softener $3.50, $2.50 
• Talcum Powder $1.00 
• Dusting Powder 2.00 
• Hand lotion $1.00."

LIFE, 1954:

" Quelques Fleurs Hand Lotion Trio tinted in blue, cream and pink. $I.00."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Quelques Fleurs was discontinued around 1978. It was reformulated and reissued as Quelques Fleurs L'Original in 1984.

It is still classified as a floral fragrance for women. It begins with a green floral top, followed by a floral heart, resting on a powdery ambery base.

• Top notes: green notes, bergamot, galbanum, tarragon, lemon, orange blossom 
• Middle notes: heliotrope, orris, jasmine absolute, tuberose, lily of the valley, violet absolute, rose absolute, ylang ylang, carnation, broom flower absolute, beeswax absolute, clove, orchid
• Base notes: oakmoss absolute, sandalwood, civet, cedarwood, musk, tonka bean, amber

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