Foin Coupe by Guerlain c1896

Foin Coupe by Guerlain: created in 1896, also sold as "New Mown Hay".

Au Bon Vieux Temps by Guerlain c1890

Au Bon Vieux Temps by Guerlain: launched in 1890. Created by Jacques Guerlain. The name means "The Good Old Times" and recalls the scents of the old potpourri jars (sweet jars) found in homes and the heavy musk worn by so many in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Collecting Blue Glass Commercial Perfume Bottles

In this guide, I will introduce you to the wonderful world of commercial perfume bottles made up of blue glass. The allure of these bottles lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in the history and craftsmanship behind them. Most of the bottles in this guide date to the 1920s and 1930s period.

Starting a collection with a specific focus, such as blue glass perfume bottles, can add a unique dimension to your hobby. It provides a clear direction and allows you to curate a cohesive and visually stunning collection.

When embarking on this journey, consider exploring various sources such as antique shops, flea markets, online auctions, and specialized collector forums. You may encounter a diverse range of designs, from simple and utilitarian to ornate and intricately decorated bottles.

It's essential to educate yourself about the different styles, manufacturers, and historical context surrounding these bottles. This knowledge will not only enhance your appreciation for the pieces you acquire but also help you make informed decisions when assessing their value and authenticity.

As your collection grows, documenting each acquisition with details such as the maker, design characteristics, and acquisition date can enrich your understanding of the evolving trends in perfume bottle design and production.

Additionally, connecting with fellow collectors can be a rewarding aspect of the hobby. Exchanging insights, sharing discoveries, and participating in community events or exhibitions can deepen your engagement with the subject and foster meaningful connections with like-minded enthusiasts.

Remember, collecting is as much about the joy of discovery and appreciation as it is about the tangible objects themselves. So, immerse yourself in the enchanting world of blue glass perfume bottles, and let your collection reflect your passion and individual style!

Shalimar by Guerlain c1925

Shalimar perfume was originally created in 1921 by Guerlain. It was re-released during the Art Deco Exhibition in Paris in 1925. I have separate blog posts on Shalimar bottles and its flanker scents on my Guerlain blog site.

Dolores Del Rio and Her Perfume Collection

Dolores Del Rio and her beautiful perfume collection.

In this photo I spy:

• Lerys 6 bottle presentation in bronze caddy
• Parfum des Champs Elysées/À Travers Champs/Guerlinade or Candide Effluve by Guerlain
• Jungla by Myrurgia c1933
• unknown early Elizabeth Arden
• Secret de la Perle by Pleville c1926
• two Prince Matchabelli bottles
• La Jacee by Coty
• Sans Adieu by Worth c1929 (Lalique bottle)
• Les Lys by D'Orsay c1922 (Lalique bottle)
• Hattie Carnegie c1925 (Depinoix bottle)
• Lentheric (Baccarat bottle)
• Elizabeth Arden
• She is holding an early Lancome bottle, possibly for Kypre or Bocages

I cannot make out all of the bottles, nor can I make out labels, but if you can, please comment below. 

Fragonard Dupes of Popular Perfumes

For many years, both the French perfume companies Molinard and Fragonard created their own versions of popular perfumes.

Edie Adams and Perfumes c1956

Actress Edie Adams and her perfume bottle collection in 1956.

I can see several bottles of:
Balmain perfumes
Lanvin perfumes
Guerlain watch bottle for eau de cologne
Le Galion bottles
Narcisse Noir by Caron
Succes Fou by Schiaparelli (leaf shaped flacon)
Fille d'Eve by Nina Ricci (Lalique apple flacon)
Nuit de Noel by Caron
Cairo by Kesma
Ecusson by Jean Desprez (she is holding this flacon)
1940s pressed glass flacons imitating the Czech styles of the 1930s with the large stoppers.

Barbara Pepper and Perfumes c1930s

Vintage movie still photographs by John Miehle of the 1937 film Coast Patrol (later retitled as Sea Devils) starring Barbara Pepper.

Barbara Pepper (1915 - 1969) - Photo via Rantings of a Modern Day Glamour Girl.

In this vintage 1930s photo I can identify several perfume bottles of Guerlain's Vol de Nuit/Sous Le Vent, Chanel, Caron's Bellodgia, Caron's Pois de Senteur de Chez Moi, a Lalique perfume bottle, Ciro's Reflexions, Patou's Joy, Houbigant's Essence Rare, Elizabeth Arden''s Blue Grass, as well as a few Czech bottles and unknown bottles. She is holding the largest size of the Ybry perfumes.

Here is another angle of the same vanity table. I can also see a bottle of : Caron's Narcisse Noir. She has placed that large Ybry bottle at the back of her vanity.

Perfume Nips and Perfume Typers

Perfume nips, small plastene or glass vials, were a charming and practical way to experience luxury fragrances in sample-sized amounts. These miniature vials, often containing just enough perfume for a few uses, were designed for on-the-go convenience, offering women a way to try new scents or carry their favorites without the need for bulky bottles. The elegance of perfume nips was in their simplicity—by breaking off the end of the vial, the perfume could be applied directly to the skin, or delicately dabbed onto a handkerchief for a more refined and subtle scent experience.

The most notable companies in the production of perfume nips were Nipola Products Company and Nips, Inc., who popularized this form of fragrance sampling. These companies recognized that perfume nips not only served as a practical solution for women but also acted as a brilliant marketing tool for perfume houses. By offering their fragrances in these small, portable vials, brands could entice customers to try perfumes they might otherwise have overlooked. The convenience of nips made them widely accessible and collectible, contributing to their lasting appeal in the perfume industry.

Their delicate design and ease of use made perfume nips a beloved accessory during the mid-20th century, combining functionality with a sense of glamour. Today, they remain an iconic piece of perfume history, a nostalgic nod to a time when even the smallest details in fragrance were crafted with elegance.

Nebuleuse by Guerlain

"In 1961, Salvador Dalí and Maurice Béjart created the ballet Gala , preceded by a baroque opera by Gonfalioneri: La Dame espagnole et le chevalier romain . The show, conceived as "théâtre total", was performed in 1961 at La Fenice in Venice and a few months later in the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels and Paris in 1962.