Parfums Jean Pax

Jean Pax, was a small time perfumer in Paris that seemed to specialize in perfumes most likely meant for the tourist souvenir trade.

In 1977, Jordan Marsh department store carried some of the Jean Pax Parfum and Parfum de Toilettes (Salambo, Val d'Ete and Ebonia). The store advertised that it had discovered this "secret" perfume company in Paris and wanted to share the perfumes with its customers in America.

Also available was Jean Pax's Talika Cream Conditioner for lengthening and conditioning the eyelashes. The advertisement I saw claimed that the cream has been sold with "extraordinary success for 25 years" and sold in 72 countries. Talika Cream was manufactured in Paris by Danielle Roches for Jean Pax, Inc.

The perfumes of Jean Pax:

• 1953 Ebonia
• 1960 Val d'Ete relaunched in 1988
• 1960 Salambo
• 1960 Royal Mink
• 1994 MCM Parfum 
• 1994 MCM 1900
• c1998 or earlier, MCM Blue Paradise
• c1998 or earlier, MCM Twenty Four Evening 
• c1998 or earlier, MCM Twenty Four Morning

Salambo was an exotic oriental type perfume, the "very epitome of sensuous Oriental expression.

 Val d'Ete was "vibrant with the freedom of freshness and youth", suitable for blondes. First launched in 1960, the fragrance was revived in 1988 with a "light freshness of jasmine, rose and other florals."

Ebonia, a spicy, sophisticated perfume, was suggested to be worn by the "poetic and imaginative lover".

These fragrances were available in the following:

• 1/2 oz Parfum in crystal bottle and handmade box
• 1 oz Parfum  
• 1.25 oz Parfum de Toilette
• 5 oz Parfum de Toilette

The 1/2 oz Parfum was housed in a fancy crystal bottle and a handmade presentation box as sketched in the advertisement shown above, this retailed for $45 in 1977. The 1 oz bottle of Parfum was simple and not as fancy, it retailed for $27. 

These perfumes have been discontinued since the early 1980s I believe.

The MCM line of fragrances was distributed by Parfums Jean Pax.

MCM Parfum  is described as an "oriental with a top note of modern fruity green over a citrus complex. Has a unique accord of rose and jasmine. The drydown is sweet, warm-ambery and woody-powdery."

MCM 1900 is described as "a rare blend, using traces of "living" flower scents. The bouquet is highlighted by an accord of white flowers. Precious woods with a dominant sandalwood note wrapup and enrich it further. As it dries down, hints of oriental spices and an ambery sweetness."

MCM Blue Paradise is described as having a "top note that is derived from a combination of green elements with modern, fruity tropical accents, very vivacious and youthful. The bouquet is tender and original. White floral touches predominate, and are supported by living flower technology. The base is marked by a very harmonic chord composed of powdery, woody, warm, sweet amber and oriental elements."

MCM Twenty Four Evening is composed of warm sensual woods, and the exotic, spicy aromas of ambergris, sandalwood, ginger and pepper, provide an oriental character. The primary scent is flowery-aromatic, ith traces of fresh fruit.

MCM Twenty Four Morning is fresh and contemporary, with cool citrus extract. Rare woods and elegant floral accents and warm traces of amber and musks, provide the expressive basis.

Lys Bleu by Prince Henri d'Orleans c1982.

In 1984, Jean Pax introduced the perfume Lys Bleu by Prince Henri d'Orleans. It was originally distributed in 1982 by Parfums et Beaute Amerique of Miami, Florida.

It is a generous perfume composed of over 100 separate essences. A head of blackcurrant, verbena and the May rose of Provence, the body of tuberose, apricot and ylang ylang, impressioned by honeysuckle, with clove setting off crocus and hyacinth; and amber and musk.

• Top notes: blackcurrant, verbena, apricot, plum, aldehydes, bergamot, neroli, apple, galbanum
• Middle notes: crocus, hyacinth, narcissus, Provencal rose de mai, tuberose, ylang ylang, lily of the valley, honeysuckle
• Base notes: amber, musk, clove, oakmoss, civet, sandalwood, tobacco, incense, orris