Essence Rare by Houbigant c1928

Essence Rare was created in 1928. Story goes that Houbigant wanted a big time aldehyde perfume to compete with Chanel’s no. 5. So Roure-Bertrand chemist Paul Schving created Essence Rare.

Succes Fou by Schiaparelli c1953

Succes Fou by Schiaparelli: launched in 1953. The name means "Raving Success" or "Smash Hit" in French. Only launched in USA in 1953.

Styx by Coty c1912

In 1912, the period surrounding the launch of Styx by Coty was one of burgeoning elegance and sophistication, characterized by the opulent ambiance of the Edwardian era. This was a time when society was captivated by the grandeur of luxury liners like the Titanic, embodying the epitome of glamour and refinement. The fashion of the time exuded grace and extravagance, with women draped in flowing gowns adorned with lace and pearls, while men donned impeccably tailored suits and polished top hats. Amidst this backdrop of burgeoning modernity and burgeoning social change, Coty unveiled Styx, a fragrance that encapsulated the essence of the era with its timeless blend of allure and sophistication.

"Let Styx be your perfume. It's dark and disturbing, pagan in its name."

Guess Parfum by Georges Marciano c1990

Guess Parfum by Georges Marciano: launched in 1990 in association with Revlon. This fragrance is known as Original Guess to distinguish it from the later versions which have nothing to do with the original perfume. The original prices ranged from $28-$65.

Petales Froisses by Lanvin c1926

Petales Froisses by Lanvin: launched in 1926. Created by Andre Fraysse. The name means "crushed petals".

Mills Novelty Company Lady Perfume Sprayer & Other Vending Machines

"Lady" Perfume Sprayer

Lady Perfume Sprayer by Mills Novelty Company, circa 1905. 

A vending machine that dispensed three types of scents - violet, rose and lilac. 

Perfume was dispensed from the life sized female statue. It was 82” tall and weighed 325lbs.

Customers were instructed to turn indicator to odor desired; hold the handkerchief in front of flower held by the statue; place a penny in the slot and pull handle down. Reproductions of this have been recently manufactured. 

 

photos from the International Arcade Museum

Reproduction, photo by National Jukebox Exchange, I believe they have six of these available (in different color schemes)

Mills Novelty Company "Whiffs of Fragrance" perfume sprayer machine, meant to spray onto your handkerchief. Insert a coin and select one of the four fragrances at a penny per spray. The front casting is extremely sculptured with flowers and cupids and is housed inside of a golden oak case. The customer would turn the indicator to the desired essence and pull the handle. The perfume then sprayed out of a flower above the bottle holding the customer's selection. circa 1915. Measures 12"w x 9"d x 17"h.

photo by icollector

photo from gameroomshow

Mills Novelty Company miniature lady perfume sprayer machine, meant to spray onto your handkerchief. Circa 19105.

photo by chad's coin op

Talking Perfumes with Actress Alice Brady c1919

From Theatre Magazine, Volumes 29-30, 1919:

 

"We more or less knew that the subject of perfumes was an enthralling one when we wrote the August Vanity Box. But our "assurance" has been made "doubly sure" since then by the letters we have received from women all over the country. "Tell us more about perfumes" they implore. And as the subject is not only enthralling but apparently inexhaustible we are going to take it up from time to time choosing December as a particularly fitting month since perfume makes one of the most delightful Christmas gifts. Ask Miss Alice Brady!

We were interviewing Miss Brady recently when she was in town for a fortnight and by chance asked her what she was giving that was interesting in the way of Christmas presents. 

"Everybody", responded Miss Brady promptly "is going to have perfume from me this year I have so little time between my performances of Forever After and my moving picture work to go shopping feel I can't give a better gift than one of the new imported French perfumes. (At that time we didn't.) Some day before. And anyway. I, Of course you know about them." I depart on tour I'm going to snatch an hour off and buy up the perfume counter of... (Never mind we'll let you in on the secret if you'd really care to know.)

We asked permission to accompany and watch her in operation which was graciously granted. As Miss Brady has made a specialty of perfumes it turned out to be a most informative and fascinating hour. 

First of all you must know that the bottle this season is almost as important as its contents. They have blossomed out riotously these bottles into odd but delectable shapes decorative additions to any dressing table. Some are painted with gay futuristic designs representative of their contents. Thus a slender tubed bottle bearing a rose spray on its bulb contains a precious "Attar of Rose". Or the shape itself may be symbolic of the type of perfume inside and a bottle blown in the outlines of a small sphinx will hold an essence called "Le Reflet" (Reflection) carries the perfume "Voltigy" connoting we suppose that it is wafted to one's. Another in the form of a lovely butterfly senses as lightly and delicately as the volatile flight of a butterfly. 

Miss Brady chose one of each of these with a special person in mind. Miss Vilda Bennet of "Apple Blossoms" we believe was to get the butterfly. Then for a society woman of very exquisite taste she chose "Parfum d'Argeville" a composite flower odor with an adorable little etching in gold on one side of its crystal bottle. For another friend who loves the Riviera and usually spends her springs there "Joie de Nice" smelling of all the fragrant violets of that place. 

For a girl who has just become engaged "Parlez Lui de Moi". And for one who loves the opera "La Bohéme". For a man friend a very special Russian "Eau de Cologne". "Eau de Cologne" being the only perfume permitted to poor dear mere man and that most parsimoniously. 

And the name of the toilet counter where Miss Brady found all these? Write The Vanity Box, Care The Theatre Magazine. 6 East 39 New York and we shall be charmed to tell you:  also the "makes" of the perfume mentioned and several other delicious ones we didn't have room for here.

Poison by Christian Dior c1985

Poison was launched in Paris in 1985, trademark records show that the name was trademarked in 1983.

Gucci No. 3 by Parfums Gucci c1985

Gucci No. 3 by Gucci was launched in 1985, created by Firmenich for Parfums Gucci.

Transparence by Houbigant c1939

Transparence by Houbigant launched in 1939, although its trademark record shows it was first used in 1931.