Welcome!

Welcome to my unique perfume blog! Here, you'll find detailed, encyclopedic entries about perfumes and companies, complete with facts and photos for easy research. This site is not affiliated with any perfume companies; it's a reference source for collectors and enthusiasts who cherish classic fragrances. My goal is to highlight beloved, discontinued classics and show current brand owners the demand for their revival. Your input is invaluable! Please share why you liked a fragrance, describe its scent, the time period you wore it, any memorable occasions, or what it reminded you of. Did a relative wear it, or did you like the bottle design? Your stories might catch the attention of brand representatives. I regularly update posts with new information and corrections. Your contributions help keep my entries accurate and comprehensive. Please comment and share any additional information you have. Together, we can keep the legacy of classic perfumes alive!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Strange Perfume Bottle Costume

This interesting perfume bottle costume was worn in the 1920s. It represents L'Origan by Coty perfume, quite cute and unusual! The actress is Miss Eleanor Woodruff of New York City, appearing as "Perfume" in the metallic shimmering gold cloth gown illustrated below. The gown was created by the celebrated Lucile, also known as Lady Duff Gordon. The actress was appearing at the Bal des Arts in Baltimore.


Chateau de Paris Perfumes

Chateau de Paris, a company who produced low to mid price perfumes in the 1980s. they advertised their perfumes in magazines such as Ebony and Harper's Bazaar.


Ads for the time read:
"Chateau de Paris Perfumes - Created for the Individual with Exquisite Taste. You receive eight 1/2 oz bottles of the world's most enchanting fragrances. Each specially blended with imported oils. Beautifully hand wrapped, cushioned in foam to protect their magnificent fragrance. Retail Value : $160.00. Send just $29.95 plus $1.25 shipping. Promotional Marketing Dept P 179, 323 Franklin Bldg #804, Chicago, Ill, 60606"


These perfumes were knockoffs of famous perfumes, just given different names. I think that Fantaisie was a knockoff of Arpege, Passione was a knockoff of Chanel No. 5, Bien-Aime was a knockoff of My Sin, Premier Amour a knockoff of White Shoulders, Celeste a knockoff of Shalimar, Un Cherie a knockoff of Joy,...


The perfumes of Chateau de Paris:
  • PURPLE BOX:  FANTAISIE AR-D,“The Joy of Dreams and Fantasy”
  • RED BOX:  MON AMOUR ST-A, “Thrilling Essence of Love”
  • PINK BOX:  PASSIONE C-C, “Whispering Winds of Passion”
  • BLUE BOX:  BIEN-AIME MS-E, “The Precious Scent of Adoration”
  • YELLOW BOX: PREMIER AMOUR WS-B, “Soft and Tender as a First Love”
  • GREEN BOX:  CELESTE S-H: “Loves Heavenly Fragrance
  • WHITE BOX: UN CHERIE J-F, “Enticement for your Darling”
  • OFF-WHITE BOX: FLEAU-DE-SOIR T-G, “Flower of the Evening”

Hoyt's German Cologne Recipe

Hoyt's German Cologne Recipe




Recipe below, circa 1904:
  • 1 oz bergamot oil
  • 1 oz lemon oil
  • 1/2 oz sandalwood oil
  • 1/4 oz neroli oil
  • 20 grains camphor
  • 7 pints cologne spirit
  • 1 pint rose water
Mix, then let stand one month, then filter and bottle.




The Rose Jar - Recipe for an Old Perfume


Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Volume 11, 1881:
"THE ROSE JAR A RECIPE FOR AN OLD PERFUME. Gather your roses in dry weather, remove petals and when a half peck is obtained take a large bowl and strew table



 

Dramming Events

Dramming refers to a technique for transferring a fragrance from a larger container to a smaller one (some websites call this "decanting".)

Hujarvis Perfumes

Hujarvis was established by René Eyben at 175 boulevard Malesherbes, Paris in 1920. The company also produced toiletries and cosmetics. Of special note were their Cucumber or Lemon soaps, wrapped in glassine paper in sets of three. the company was still in business in 1925.


Tanty Perfumes

Tanty Parfumeurs was located in Corning, New York and had an office in Paris; they were the successors to Corning Tappan and launched a range of fragrances around 1900, they were still in business in 1922. They produced toilet waters, extracts, sachets, cosmetics, toiletries and face powders. McCreery's, Gimbel's and Joseph Horne Co's stores sold their products.




Thursday, October 31, 2013

Jungla by Myrurgia c1933

The year 1933, when Myrurgia launched the perfume "Jungla," was marked by the global impact of the Great Depression. This era saw widespread economic hardship, with high unemployment rates and significant financial instability. Amid these challenging times, people often sought means of escapism to distract themselves from their daily struggles. One popular form of escapism was cinema, where movies with exotic and adventurous themes provided a temporary respite from reality.

The early 1930s saw the release of several films that transported audiences to far-off, mysterious locales. For example, "King Kong" (1933) depicted a thrilling adventure on a tropical island, blending elements of the exotic with danger and excitement. Such films fueled the public's imagination about jungles, tropics, and the allure of the unknown. Against this backdrop, Myrurgia's choice to name their perfume "Jungla" resonated deeply with contemporary themes and cultural fascinations.

The word "Jungla" means "jungle" in Spanish, evoking images of dense, lush forests teeming with vibrant flora and fauna. This imagery aligns perfectly with the themes of exoticism and tropical escapism that were popular at the time. By naming the perfume "Jungla," Myrurgia tapped into the collective longing for adventure and the allure of the unknown. It suggested a fragrant journey to a distant, unspoiled paradise, offering an olfactory escape from the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

"Jungla" made an excellent name for a perfume because it conjured notions of mystery, adventure, and natural beauty. For women of the time, a perfume named "Jungla" would symbolize a sense of liberation and exploration. The exotic connotations of the jungle might have provided an empowering contrast to the mundane or challenging aspects of their daily lives. This name would likely evoke feelings of curiosity, excitement, and a desire for adventure.

Women of the 1930s, seeking relief from the stresses of the Great Depression, might have responded positively to a perfume called "Jungla." It would have represented an opportunity to indulge in a sensory escape, to imagine oneself in an exotic, far-off land. The rich, evocative scent of the perfume could transport them, if only momentarily, to a place of beauty and wonder.


The word "Jungla" evokes vivid imagery of untamed nature, vibrant colors, and the sounds of wildlife. It suggests an environment that is both alluring and slightly dangerous, promising excitement and new experiences. This name is unique for a perfume, as it stands out from more traditional names that might focus on floral or romantic themes. "Jungla" implies a bold, adventurous spirit, appealing to women who desired a fragrance that was as daring and unique as they aspired to be.

In summary, "Jungla" by Myrurgia was a product of its time, reflecting the era's fascination with exoticism and escapism. The name "Jungla" captured the imagination of women seeking adventure and beauty beyond their everyday experiences, making it a compelling and memorable choice for a perfume.

How To Loosen Jammed Glass Stoppers

American Soap Journal and Manufacturing Chemist, Volumes 11-13:
 1. Hold the bottle or decanter firmly in the hand or between the knees and gently tap the stopper on alternate sides using for the purpose a small piece of wood and directing the strokes upward.  
2. Plunge the neck of the vessel in hot water taking care that the water is not hot enough to split the glass. If the stopper is still fixed use the first method.  
3. Pass a piece of lint or stout string around the neck of the bottle which must be held fast while two persons draw the lint backward and forward. 
4. Warm the neck of the vessel before the fire, and when it is nearly hot, the stopper can be removed. 
5. Put a few drops of oil around the stopper where it enters the glass vessel which may then be warmed before the fire. Then apply process No 1. If the stopper still continues immovable, repeat the above process until it gives way, which it is almost sure to do in the end. 
6. Take a steel pin or needle and run it around the top of the stopper in the angle formed by it and the bottle. Then hold the vessel in your left hand and give it a steady twist toward you with the right and it will very soon be effectual. If this does not succeed try process No. 5 which will be facilitated by it. 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Parfumerie Agnel

Agnel was established in 1858 by Alexandre Cesar Napoleon Agnel at 16 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris, France. Originally a manufacturer of fine fragrances, soap, water and toilet vinegars, perfumed extracts, ointments, oils, and cosmetics, the company was first established in Bécon-les-Bruyères in 1853. Agnel's central perfumery was later located at 11 rue Molière, Paris.


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