Aubry Sisters Toiletries & Cosmetics

The Aubry Sisters were an exclusive song-and-dance team from  big comic opera company who started appearing on stage around 1904. They usually worked the vaudeville circuit well into the late 1920s and their most famous act was "The Doll Dance."

 Their cosmetic company was established in Toledo, Ohio around 1910, the Aubry Sisters company sold cosmetics and toiletries, they apparently were a short lived company, closing around 1925.
Their main office appears to be 153 West 23rd  Street in New York City.

Their cosmetics were sold at department stores and often had demonstrators.

Some of their cosmetics and toiletry products:

• Liquid rouge
• Dry rouge
• Greaseless cream
• Beautifier face powder
• Facial massage cream
• Hair tonic
• Tooth powder
• Cold cream
• Depilatory powder
• Witch hazel
• Beautifier soap

advertisement from 1910

c1912 ad

photos of the Aubrey Sisters brochure by ebay seller mike-force

Parfums Edhia

Edhia Parfums was established by L. Bertot in 90, rue Ducau, Bordeaux, France. They were predominantly active during the 1940s. Later they moved to Paris.

Astris by LT Piver c1904

Astris by LT Piver was launched in 1904. Created by George Darzens and Pierre Armigeant.

It was promoted as a perfume that was for luxury and daring women. Astris was available as parfum, face powder, bath salts, bath powder and sachet.

In Greek mythology, Astris (or Asteria) was one of the Heliades, daughters of Helios, either by the Oceanid Clymene or the Oceanid Ceto. She married the river god Hydaspes (the modern Jhelum River) and became mother of Deriades, king in India.

La Fete des Roses by Caron c1936

La Fete des Roses (The Festival of Roses) by Caron was launched in 1936. Created by Ernest Daltroff.

Paul Boyer Perfumes

Parfums Paul Boyer was established around 1940 in Paris France. The company's name was often seen spelled as Pavl Boyer in advertisements. Some popular and prestigious artists helped to create the presentations for Paul Boyer. Georges Lepape designed the box for Bandoura and A.E. Marty designed the presentation box for the perfume Coreoba.

Cuir du Canada by Dana c1947

Cuir du Canada by Dana, was launched in c1947. Meaning "Canadian Leather", it is a quite rare perfume to find. One generally sees perfumes labeled "Cuir de Russie" (Russian Leather) by various manufacturers but I believe that Dana was the only company who produced a canadian leather perfume.

The Venetian Novelty Company

The Venetian Novelty Company of New York sold various celluloid articles for the vanity as you can see in the 1916 advertisement below.

Parfum Mae West by Gabilla c1934

Parfum Mae West by Gabilla of Paris, created in 1933. It was publicized by the Grey Advertising Service, Inc.

Kobako by Bourjois c1936

Kobako was launched by Bourjois in 1936. Kobako is a chypre floral fragrance for women. The nose behind this fragrance is Ernest Beaux. Kobako, refers to a lacquer or porcelain box containing incense, Kobako means "perfume-box" in Japanese.

In 1937, Harper's Bazaar reported that:

"So, for longer than two decades, KOBAKO perfume was the secret of only two people — its creator, and the beauty who used it. It is said that she had an almost superstitious belief in its power to stir the emotions. Today, Kobako Perfume, so subtle, so seemingly remote, yet so persuasive to the senses, is the exquisite, the thrilling gift for a charming American lady. In a bottle of Chinese design. KOBAKO BOURJOIS INSPIRED BY ANCIENT CHINA ."

Fragrance Composition:

It is classified as a modern leather chypre fragrance for women.

• Top notes: aldehydes, citrus notes, lily, galbanum, 
• Middle notes: rose, magnolia, jasmine, cloves, cinnamon, carnation
• Base notes: vanilla, tonka bean, orris, civet, benzoin, frankincense, amber, oakmoss, musk and leather

Bottles:

The bottle for Kobako is a replica of antique Chinese snuff bottle, and was manufactured by Verreries Brosse in France. This bottle was not designed or manufactured by Lalique, as I sometimes see this erroneously attributed. The red and black Bakelite presentation case was meant to imitate aged and carved cinnabar, I believe that Eduard Fornells made the case. 

A 1936 newspaper advertisement reads:

"Kobako - Chinese for perfume container. Kobako - new and exciting perfume of Oriental allure - a modern version of the glory of 12th century China. Mysterious, fascinating and whispering to her of thrilling adventure. Matching the artistry of France with the subtle of an exotic Chinese vase. Kobako is entrancing."

Drug and Cosmetic Industry, 1936:

"With the Chinese influence strong in makeup and fashions, Bourjois is introducing a new Oriental fragrance in a typically Chinese container. Kobako," is the name of the new perfume, which we are told is translated to mean "beautiful perfume container" in Chinese. The bottle is of frosted glass, and said to be a copy of an ancient Chinese perfume bottle . It is encased in Oriental red embossed plastic box, which is a copy of a Chinese lacquered cabinet with a black base."

Arts and Decoration, 1937:

"Bourjois' newest perfume, "Kobako," in a jewel- like flacon copied from an ancient Chinese perfume bottle. Even the container is inspired by an old lacquered cabinet, also Chinese. The base is deep black and the cover is a dramatic glowing red."

A miniature version was also produced, this can be very hard to find. This bottle is rectangular in shape with curved shoulders, the bottle is molded with the floral design that matches the one on the luxury size bottle. A red screw cap tops the bottle. The mini bottle's presentation box is red cardboard and embossed with floral designs hearkening the Bakelite box's design.

photo by anicka

The purse size flacon, clear glass and molded with the floral motif. The bottle is topped off with a red plastic screw cap which ends with a tassel. The bottle has a small, round golden label. This is super rare to find.

photo by ebay seller xniide.

Fate of the Fragrance:

The last advertisement for Kobako I have found is dated 1951, so I assume the fragrance was discontinued around that time. It was discontinued for many years before being relaunched sometime in the 1980s.

Parfumerie Silka

Parfumerie Silka, also known as Parfums Silka, was founded by Maurice Roussel in 1909 at 16 Quai de la Mégisserie in Paris. Maurice Roussel was connected to the esteemed Parfumerie Roussel family, which had been a prominent name in the fragrance industry since 1852. The Roussel family's previous venture, Parfumerie Roussel, had achieved considerable acclaim with their highly successful Eau Gorlier during the 19th century. This lineage of expertise and innovation in perfumery provided a strong foundation for the establishment of Parfumerie Silka, continuing the family’s legacy in the world of fragrance.