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!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Les Parfums de Paquin

Jeanne Paquin was a prominent figure in the world of fashion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of the first women to gain international renown in the haute couture industry. Paquin's Parisian couture house, located at 3 rue de la Paix, became synonymous with luxury and elegance.

Paquin's success led her to expand her business beyond Paris, including opening a branch in London, which helped solidify her reputation as a leading couturier on an international scale. Additionally, her venture into the realm of perfumery in 1939 added another dimension to her brand.

In 1954, Paquin merged her couture house with the equally prestigious House of Worth, a move that further enhanced both brands' prestige and influence in the fashion world.

However, despite her immense success and contributions to the fashion industry, the couture house of Jeanne Paquin eventually closed its doors in 1962, marking the end of an era in fashion history. Despite its closure, Paquin's legacy as a pioneering couturier and innovator continues to influence the world of fashion to this day.

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."

Monday, July 14, 2014

Parfums Murcy

Produits Chimiques et Parfums de Murcy, of Asnières, France.

The company filed for bankruptcy and was defunct by 1935.

The perfumes of Murcy:

  • 1920 Un Chypre Inconnu
  • 1920 Un Muguet des Bois
  • 1920 Bellamia


Parfums Loulette, Mme. Rabasse & The House of Fragrance Perfumes

Parfums Loulette of Paris, a brand known for its sophisticated and enchanting fragrances, experienced a significant transition around 1930 when Mme. A. Rabasse acquired the company. Under her ownership, the perfumery continued to uphold its reputation for quality and elegance, catering to the discerning tastes of Parisian women.

In 1937, an unknown fragrance was launched by Parfums Loulette, marking a notable event in the company's history. Although the details of this particular fragrance remain elusive, its introduction reflects the ongoing efforts to innovate and expand the brand's offerings during a competitive era for the perfumery industry.

The same year Mme. Rabasse acquired the company, Parfums Loulette may have been bought out by The House of Fragrance, a strategic move that further influenced the company's trajectory. This acquisition led to the launch of Femme Divine, a perfume that was intriguingly housed in the same bottle design as one of Loulette's fragrances. This continuity in packaging suggests a deliberate attempt to retain the brand's visual identity and appeal while introducing new scents under the umbrella of The House of Fragrance.

The shared bottle design for Femme Divine and Loulette’s fragrance highlights a seamless transition between the old and new management. This move ensured that loyal customers of Parfums Loulette could still enjoy the familiar aesthetic they had come to appreciate, while also inviting them to explore new olfactory experiences offered by The House of Fragrance. The period marked a blend of tradition and innovation, characteristic of the dynamic world of Parisian perfumery during the early 20th century.


The perfumes of Parfums Loulette:

  • 1925 Mimosa
  • 1919 Femme Divine



Mme. Rabasse perfumes:

  • 1930 Femme Divine
  • 1930 Hollywood Star Life, pour brunes
  • 1930 Hollywood Nite Life, pour blondes
  • 1930 La Foret Embaumée
  • 1930 Laurore
  • 1930 Loulette
  • 1930 Mon Secret
  • 1930 Monte Carlo



The perfumes of The House of Fragrance:

  • 1930 Fidelwood
  • 1930 Femme Divine
  • 1930 Hibiscus
  • 1930 Lily
  • 1930 Wild Jasmine
  • 1930 Corsage


Griet, Los Perfumes de Moda

Griet, Los Perfumes de Moda was established in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They produced perfumes, cosmetics and face powders from 1912-1939. Their products are usually found in the Spanish & Portuguese languages.

Achille Mauzan was responsible for the Art Deco graphics on labels, presentation boxes and posters for Griet's products.






The perfumes of Griet:
  • 1924 Chela
  • 1925 Locion Mirka
  • 1925 Agua Colonia
  • 1929 Caricias
  • 1929 Cheifel
  • 1929 Dime Que Si (Tell Me Yes)
  • 1929 Munequita
  • 1929 Ojos Negros (Black Eyes)
  • 1929 Primer Beso (First Kiss)
  • 1939 Nantes 18

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Pleville & Dalon Perfumes

Pleville:


Pleville Parfumeur, a distinguished name in the world of fragrance, was established in Paris, France, in 1922 by the visionary Michel Pleville. Nestled at 38 rue des Mathurins, the heart of Paris's bustling perfume district, the brand sought to capture the essence of French elegance and sophistication through its meticulously crafted scents. Michel Pleville, driven by a passion for perfumery and a deep understanding of the art, aimed to make a mark in the competitive perfume industry.

Pleville Parfumeur was closely affiliated with Dalon Parfums and NYAL, forming a trio of interconnected companies. This alliance was intended to leverage shared resources and expertise, bolstering each brand's presence in the market. Despite the promising foundation and potential for success, all three companies experienced a relatively brief commercial lifespan. The reasons for their short duration could be attributed to various factors, such as intense competition, economic challenges, or shifts in consumer preferences during the post-war period.

During its operational years, Pleville Parfumeur would have contributed to the rich tapestry of Parisian perfumery, creating fragrances that resonated with the sophisticated tastes of its time. The legacy of Michel Pleville and his endeavor remains a part of the intricate history of French perfumery, reflecting a period of both innovation and volatility in the industry. While the companies may no longer exist, their brief presence adds a layer of historical depth to the narrative of early 20th-century perfumery in Paris.

Friday, July 11, 2014

La Crisantema, SA Fabrica de Perfumes y Aguas de Tocador



El Paso Herald, 1921:

"Holland Workers Get Big Wages; Germany Underselling The U. S.
HOLLAND workmen are wallowing in the wealth of high wages, but the middle class of that country is gradually being forced out of existence by the competition of Germany, who is flooding Holland with goods at much lower prices than those at which the Dutch can sell them. In a letter received by F. W. ten Napel, 3300 Frutas street, from his father, cavalry Maj. John ten Napel, of the Dutch army, this conclusion is drawn from general conditions in the land of queen Wilhelmina.
 
A sister of the younger Mr. ten Napel, his father wrote, is drawing 2400 florins a year as a school teacher, while a male relative is paid 4200 florins as a school principal. Common laborers receive 20 to 30 florins a week, while an apprentice mason draws 50. Jr. ten Napel explained that while the value of a florin on the New York exchange is only about 32 cents, it has a purchasing power in Holland equivalent to that of a dollar in the United States. The writer added that any family that has more than one member working is able to pay for unbelievable luxuries. 
The younger Mr. ten Napel, associated with J. Molinar y Roy and H. Navarro, recently organized a perfume and toilet wrater factory in Juarez, and said he is buying bottles and labels in Germany because he can get them laid down in Juarez at prices 40 percent cheaper than the American products. As an example, he showed an embossed label, printed in two colors and gold, which were sold to him by a Hamburg firm at $62.50 for 50,000."


Drug and Chemical Markets, Volume 10, 1922:
"In an effort to secure the perfume business of Mexico for a home industry, a factory has been opened at Juarez Mexico by a company known as La Crisantema, SA Fabrica de Perfumes y Aguas de Tocador, under the direction of FW ten Napel J. Molinar y Rey and H Navarro. The business is aimed to drive out foreign perfumes and toilet goods from Northern Mexico."


 El Paso Herald, 1922:
"A perfume factory incorporated for $10,000 has started business. It is owned by F. W. ten Napel, J. Molinar y Hey, and H. Navarro."


Drug and Chemical Markets, Volume 10, 1922:
"NEW PERFUMERY FACTORY IN MEXICO. A factory for the manufacture of perfumes will be in operation in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in April. The company is known Crisantema, SA Fabrica de Perfumes y Tocador, and was established in October 1921 by FW ten Napel, J Molinar y Rey, and H Navarro. An effort to keep a large sum of money at home that is now going to France, Germany and other Europeans will be made by the new firm. The promoters hope to drive from Northern Mexico all imported perfumes and toilet waters. They have incorporated under the laws of Mexico with capitalization of $10,000." 

Victorian French Jewel Boxes c1893 Advertisement

These lovely beveled glass jewelry caskets were advertised in an 1893 Marshall Field's catalog.







Thursday, July 10, 2014

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.

Seely's Perfumes

Seely. A perfume and extract company was established in 1862 by James Madison Seely in Detroit, Michigan.



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