Parfums Calixte

Calixte, the fashion house, was renowned for its refined aesthetic and operated from 227 rue St.-Honoré in Paris, a district synonymous with luxury and haute couture. In the 1940s, the brand ventured into perfumery, introducing a small but distinctive collection of fragrances. These perfumes, crafted with the sophistication and artistry of the era, have since become exceedingly rare. Their scarcity is a result of limited production, the passage of time, and their specific historical context during a tumultuous period in Europe.

The name Calixte is of Greek origin, derived from the masculine name Callistus or its feminine counterpart Callista, meaning "most beautiful" or "most excellent." It carries connotations of beauty, excellence, and nobility, which align perfectly with its use as the name of a Parisian fashion house. The name is pronounced kah-LEEXT in French, reflecting its elegance and sophistication.

Today, Calixte's perfumes are highly sought after by collectors and vintage perfume enthusiasts, though they are rarely found in the modern market. These elusive treasures hold a unique place in the history of perfumery, representing a bygone era of exclusivity and artisanal excellence.

Parfumerie Brissac

Parfumerie Brissac was a French company established in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1917 by L. Aubert y Cía.  (L. Aubert y Compania, Jorge Newbery St. Buenos Aires). They were associated with Les Parfums Persans. Brissac was still in business in 1924.

CB Rocca

In 1946, Clara Hirsch, operating under the business name Rocca in Paris, France, filed a trademark registration. This registration covered a range of products including perfume, rouge (cosmetic), and dentifrice (toothpaste) under the name CB Rocca. The filing date for the trademark was July 30, 1946.

The trademark registration claimed use of the Rocca brand since May 25, 1897. This suggests that Clara Hirsch had been actively using the Rocca name for these products for nearly half a century before the trademark filing.

In 1946, ownership of the Rocca trademark belonged to Clara Hirsch, indicating her established role in the perfumery and cosmetic industry in Paris. The long history of the Rocca brand underscores its enduring presence and reputation in the marketplace from the late 19th century onward.

Alphonse Rallet

Alphonse Rallet (1819-1894) established his perfumery company Rallet in Moscow in 1843. Rallet's perfumes, soaps and cosmetics were so popular that by 1900, he was the most distinguished of all perfumeries in Russia. His excellence in quality made him the official supplier to the royal courts of Russia, Romania, Serbia, Persia and Montenegro.


After the death of Alphonse Rallet, the company was purchased by Chiris, a raw material supplier from Grasse, France. When the Russian Revolution took over and Rallet's Russian assets were nationalized in 1917, the company was reestablished in France. It was here in 1920, that the famous perfumer and technical director, Ernest Beaux , created several perfumes for Gabrielle Chanel, most notably Chanel No. 5, which remains a best seller almost 100 years after its creation in 1921.

"A. Ралле и Ко."

Poujol

Poujol, founded by Gustav K. Poujol, was a prominent name in the fragrance and cosmetic industry. The company was renowned for its imported French perfumes, which were carried in the United States by Mandel Brothers. This partnership helped Poujol’s luxury products reach a broader American audience, underscoring the brand’s appeal and quality.

In addition to its distinguished line of perfumes, Poujol offered a wide range of personal care products. The company’s offerings included sachets, soap, talcum powder, and toilet waters. Poujol also extended its product line to cosmetics, featuring face powders and compacts, lipsticks, rouge, and cleansing tissues. This comprehensive range demonstrated Poujol's commitment to beauty and personal grooming, catering to various aspects of daily care and elegance.

Parfumerie Brecher

Parfumerie Brecher, founded by Paul Brecher in Pontoise around 1910, underwent a significant change in ownership after 1918 when Jacques Ernest Mazurier took over. Mazurier relocated the company to 10 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle in Paris. Under Mazurier's ownership, the perfumes were labeled as 'Aux Perfumeries Reunites'.

The company had affiliations with Benoit and Marquis de Elorza, indicating its network and possibly collaborations within the perfume industry during that era.

Jean D'Hennery Parfumeur, Inc.

Jean D'Hennery Parfumeur, Inc. was an obscure yet intriguing Parisian perfume company with a flair for distinctive fragrances. Little information is available about the company’s origins or its lasting impact, but it's perfumes have an air of post-war mystique, suggesting a blend of French elegance with a hint of the exotic. The brand’s creations reflect a unique identity that appealed to both Parisian and international markets during a time of vibrant creativity in perfumery. Despite its relatively low profile compared to other French houses, Jean D'Hennery’s fragrances still capture attention, especially among vintage perfume enthusiasts seeking rare scents from lesser-known artisans of the era.

In the United States, Jean D'Hennery operated as Jean D'Hennery, Inc., under the business name Nemours in New York, New York. This dual branding likely helped the company gain a foothold in the American market, leveraging the allure of French perfumery while adapting to local tastes. Nemours served as an avenue for Jean D'Hennery’s perfumes to reach a broader audience, hinting at the company’s desire to extend its appeal beyond French borders, despite its modest renown.

In 1946, a new charter for corporation was filed in Delaware, by the Jean D'Hennery, Parfumeur Inc. with a capital of $25,000. Its principal office was US Corporation Company.

Parfumerie Fouillat

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Parfumerie Fouillat of Grenoble, France, launched a range of perfumes in the 1920s. Most likely a short-lived company. In addition to perfumes, the company also produced lotions, powders, creams and soaps.

The perfumes of Fouillat:

• 1920 Bouquet d'Orient
• 1924 Grenoble
• 1920 Pecheresse/Pecherose
• 1922 Son Peche
• 1927 Les Fleurs

Les Parfums de Vega

Les Parfums de Vega, established by J Piot at 18 rue de Genas, Lyons in 1910, still active in the late 1920s.

Here are the only known fragrances that I could find from Vega:

• 1927 Coeur Ardent
• 1927 Flambeau d'Amour

Leon et Cie

Leon et Cie: Established by Leon Cohn in c1900 in Paris, parent company of below.

Les Parfums Brajan

Les Parfums Brajan Parfums was established by Ernest Weil and Georges Levy-Say at 17 rue Saint-Florentine, Paris in 1926. The company launched a range of fragrances in the 1920’s and early 1930s.

Parfums G. Doyen

Parfums G. Doyen Paris was established in the early 1940s at rue de Caumartin, Paris, France.

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Parfumerie and Savonnerie Gilot et Cie

Full name Parfumerie et Savonnerie Gilot et Cie; fragrances, soaps and cosmetics, established by Emile Gilot at 68 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin, Paris in the early 1900’s; related to Dubarry; trademark perfume and cosmetic line was 'Soir de Paris' in 1925; prior to launched of similar fragrance by Bourjois in 1929. Acquired C.P. Blaise.

Parfums Grenoville

Parfums Grenoville, originally established as Parfumerie Grenoville by Paul Grenoville in 1879, has a fascinating history rooted in the heart of Paris. The founder, Paul Grenoville, chose to change his family name from 'grenouille', which translates to 'frog' in French, to 'Grenoville', likely to add a more elegant and sophisticated touch to the brand's identity. This subtle yet significant change helped position the brand within the luxurious and refined world of Parisian perfumery. Located at 20 rue Royale, the house of Grenoville became known for its exquisite fragrances, contributing to the rich tapestry of Paris's renowned perfumery heritage.

Auzière

Auzière of Paris and Marseille, France; launched a range of fragrances from c1920 to 1950’s, also had an office in Nashville, TN.

The Perfumes of Coryse Salome & Cartier

Coryse was established in 1919 by Maurice Blanchetat 64 rue de la Chaussee-d'Antin, Paris and sold perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics. He purchased the perfumery Salome in 1929 and the two companies merged into Coryse-Salome.

Parfumerie Rafin

Parfumerie  Rafin, 5 avenue Victoria, Paris, established in 1855 by Henri Rafin, a pharmacist. Launched fragrances in mid 1920's.

Company seems to have been taken over by Georges Moehr of Parfumerie Moehr of Monte-Carlo by the 1940s.

Les Creations Guyla

Les Créations Guyla was established in 1926 at 40 rue de Paris, Épinay-sur-Seine, a northern suburb of Paris. Though the company was short-lived, it left a notable mark with its exceptional perfume presentations, aligning perfectly with the artistic and cultural trends of the Art Deco period. These designs often featured the bold geometric shapes, intricate patterns, and luxurious materials characteristic of the era, encapsulating the opulence and elegance of 1920s perfumery.

The name Guyla has roots in Hungarian and is pronounced as "GHEE-lah" with a soft 'g,' similar to the English word "gear." In Hungarian, the name is a male given name that originates from ancient Magyar history, associated with a tribal leader or nobleman. The name carries connotations of strength, leadership, and tradition, though it is unclear whether the company founders intended this cultural reference or simply selected the name for its aesthetic or exotic appeal.

Unfortunately, little information is available about the company’s founders, operations, or reasons for its closure. However, its legacy lies in the exquisite craftsmanship and Art Deco aesthetics of its perfume bottles and packaging, which continue to captivate collectors and perfume historians alike.

Les Parfums de Jaspy

Les Parfums de Jaspy of Paris, established at 75 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris in 1910, and subtitled "Parfums Modernes et Originaux". The company was very  short-lived.

The New York French Export Company was the sole distributor of Jaspy in 1920.

The perfumes of Jaspy:

• 1920 Jasmin
• 1920 Ambre
• 1921 Buisson Fleuri
• 1921 Fleurs Bois
• 1921 Kadoura
• 1921 Muscadin
• 1921 Myrodata
• 1921 La Tulipe Noire
• 1921 Rose de Chemin
• 1921 L'Eglantine de la Reine
• 1922 Le Petit Chose
• 1922 Victoirie Lilas
• 1927 Lilas
• 1927 Narcissus
• 1927 Violet

Le Petit Chose by Jaspy: launched in 1922, clear glass pear shaped flacon with stopper made up of milk glass, a stylized man's head wearing a black hat. Bottle made in memory of French author, Alphonse Daudet who wrote the novel Le P'tite Chose.


The New York Times, 1921:

"Fascinating Jaspy perfumes, the rose in its slender tapering bottle and 'Petit Chose. L'Eglantine de la Reine, with its delicate glass horseshoe carved by Lalique."

Parfumerie Lubin

Parfumerie Lubin was established at 11 rue Royale, Paris in 1798 by Pierre-Francois Lubin as Aux Armes de France, a perfume boutique that produced a range of fragrant lotions, powders and toilet waters. Lubin claimed ownership and use of all the secret beauty formulas of the French court.