Collecting Blue Glass Commercial Perfume Bottles

In this guide, I will introduce you to the wonderful world of commercial perfume bottles made up of blue glass.

These elegant beauties were produced mainly during the 1920s-1950s and most have Art Deco influences. I know I don't have every one listed, if I missed one, let me know! Current values given below are for average book values and auction estimates. Why not start a collection focusing on just the blue glass bottles?

Les Parfums de Suzy

Established by Madame Suzy Michaud at 5 rue de Paix, Paris. She worked as a milliner in Paris and launched a range of fragrances in the late 1930s and early 1940’s. Her brand was associated with Macy's.

Bill Blass by Bill Blass c1978

Bill Blass for Women by Bill Blass: launched in 1978 in association with Revlon.

Colgate Perfumes

Colgate & Co. was located at 55 John Street New York. Established 1806. Richard M. Colgate, Gilbert Colgate, Sidney M. Colgate, Austen Colgate.

Key Dates:

• 1806: Company is founded by William Colgate in New York to make starch, soap, and candles.
• 1857: After founder's death, company becomes known as Colgate & Company.
• 1873: Toothpaste is first marketed.
• 1896: Collapsible tubes for toothpaste are introduced.
• 1898: B.J. Johnson Soap Company (later renamed Palmolive Company) introduces Palmolive soap.
• 1910: Colgate moves from original location to Jersey City, New Jersey.
• 1926: Palmolive merges with Peet Brothers, creating Palmolive-Peet Company.
• 1928: Colgate and Palmolive-Peet merge, forming Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company.
• 1947: Fab detergent and Ajax cleanser are introduced.
• 1953: Company changes its name to Colgate-Palmolive Company.
• 1956: Corporate headquarters shifts back to New York.
• 1966: Palmolive dishwashing liquid is introduced.
• 1967: Sales top $1 billion.
• 1968: Colgate toothpaste is reformulated with fluoride; Ultra Brite is introduced.
• 1976: Hill's Pet Products is purchased.
• 1987: The Softsoap brand of liquid soap is acquired.
• 1992: The Mennen Company is acquired; Total toothpaste is introduced overseas.
• 1995: Latin American firm Kolynos Oral Care is acquired; Colgate-Palmolive undergoes major restructuring.
• 1997: Total toothpaste is launched in the United States; Colgate takes lead in domestic toothpaste market.
• 2004: Company acquires European oral care firm GABA Holding AG; major restructuring is launched.

Colgate Company of Jersey City, NJ from 1879 to 1959.

Colgate & Company had been a pioneer in establishing international operations, creating a Canadian subsidiary in 1913 and one in France in 1920. In the early 1920s the firm expanded into Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico. Colgate or its successor firm next created subsidiaries in the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa in the late 1920s. In 1937 the company moved into India and by the end of the 1940s had operations in most of South America. By 1939 Colgate-Palmolive-Peet's sales hit $100 million.

Niki de Saint Phalle c1982

"dangerous but worth the risk..."

Niki de Saint Phalle was launched in 1982 in association with Jacqueline Cochran, Inc..

Depose and Deponiert: and other French and German marks

This guide with help you translate some of the most common words that are found or may be found on French or German antiques and vintage collectibles.

Occasionally in the world of antiques, you may come across a mark, DEP, which could mean either Depose or Deponiert. This mark is commonly found on German or French bisque dolls, celluloid,  porcelain, jewelry, glass or metal goods. Dep stands for the German word Deponiert which means registered, or copyright. Dep is also a shortened form of Depose which is French for registered.

Without knowing a manufacturer or country of origin, it is safe to say that if your item is marked DEP, it is most likely of French or German manufacture.

Here is a short list of other words related to patents or other markings found on German antiques:

• Angestrichen mit der Hand: handpainted
• Besteuern Sie Steuer: excise tax

Sometimes DEP is accompanied by GES to form the following mark DEP/GES, the GES is an abbreviated form of the word Geschutz, if you see this mark, your piece is of German origin. Sometimes people think that Geschutz is a manufacturer, in reality it only means "protected against copying" in German.

• DRGM, a German patent mark that stands for Deutsches Reich Geschmacksmuste
• DRP is German for Deutsches Reich Patent
• Fabrikmarke: factory mark
• Frankreich: France
• Gegr. : an abbreviated form of the word gegrundet which means established/founded
• Gebruder: brothers
• Ges. Gesch. : abbreviated form of Gesetzlich Geschutzt: legally protected, patented, copyrighted
• Ges. Mbh: company or corporation
• Glashuttenwerk: glassworks factory
• Glassmanufaktur: glassworks factory
• Hochfeine: fine quality/high quality
• Juwelier: jeweler
• Kristall: crystal
• Kunststoff: plastic
• Kupfer: copper
• Musterschutz: copyright
• Papierstoff: papier mache
• Porzellanfabrik: porcelain factory, this mark is sometimes on the back of dinnerware.
• Abteilung: department
• Schutzmarke: trade mark
• Silber: silver
• Steingurfabrik: stoneware factory
• Tschechoslowake: Czechoslovakia
• Verboten: prohibited
• Waschbar: washable
• Werkstatte: workshop/studio
• West Germany: used from 1948-1991 (useful in dating vintage costume jewelry)
• Zelluloid: celluloid
• Zettel: label
• Zinn: tin/pewter
• Zoll Abteilung: customs department

Here is a short list of other words related to patents found on French antiques:

• Alliage: alloy
• Antiquité: antique
• Argent: silver
• Atelier: studio
• Brevete: this word is commonly found on French items and some people mistake it fo a manufacturers marking, but it simply means patented.
• Bté. SGDG: means "patented." It is shortened from the phrase Breveté Sans Garantie du Gouvernement  which means "Patented without State Guarantee."
• Cie./Compagnie: company
• Cristallerie: glass factory
• Cuivre: copper
• Cuivre jaune: brass
• Decore a la main: hand decorated
• Decore par: decorated by
• Département de douanes: customs department
• Depose: registered
• Drapier: clothier
• Email: enamel/paint
• Etain: tin
• Et Fils: and Son
• Etats Unis: United States
• Exciser l'impôt: excise tax
• Exportation: export
• Fabrique Par: manufactured by
• Grand Magasin: department store
• Impôt: tax
• Joaillier: jeweler
• le Celluloïd: celluloid
• le Plastique: plastic
• Marque déposée: trademark
• Marque de Fabrique: this word means trade mark.
• Millésime: vintage
• Métal: metal
• Modele Depose: Registered Design
• Or: gold
• Orfevre: silversmith
• Peint à la Main: hand painted
• Porcelaine Fabrique: porcelain factory, sometimes found on the back of dinnerware.
• Ste. : an abbreviation for Societe
• Tcheqoslovaquie: Czechslovakia
• Vendeur: seller
• Verrier: glassworker
• Verrerie: glass works factory

Uninhibited by Cher c1988

"Uninhibited. Bottled, but not contained."

In 1988 Cher decided to introduce her own line of perfume. Called “Uninhibited,” a name that seemed quite appropriate for Cher, the line debuted with much fanfare that year. Distributed by Parfums Stern in association with Avon.

Audace by Rochas c1936

Audace by Rochas: launched in 1936. Pronounced "oh-doss'. The perfume was created by Marcel Rochas. The couturier was fond of saying that, "One should notice the scent of a woman before even seeing her."

Mai by Shiseido c1968

Mai by Shiseido: launched in 1968.

Alex Ross & Sons

Alex Ross, Perfumers in London.

The London Directory notes an A. Ross, perfumer & ornamental hair manufacturer located at 119 Bishopsgate Within in 1802; an Alex Ross & Co, perfumers at 119 Bishopsgate Within in 1809; in 1827 an Alex Ross & Sons, perfumers & peruke makers at same address, and in 1839 Alex Ross & Sons, patent peruke makers at same address.

Parce Que by Roberto Capucci c1963

Parce Que! by Roberto Capucci: launched in 1963. The fragrance was composed by the perfumers at Roure.

Madame by Philippe Venet c1968

Madame by Philippe Venet: launched in 1968.

La Perla by La Perla c1987

La Perla by La Perla: launched in 1986. The perfume was created by Pierre Wargyne, perfumer from IFF.

Feerie by Rigaud c1937

Feerie by Rigaud: launched in 1937, in USA in 1938. Also labeled as Feerie Moderne.

Silver Alloy Marks and Trade Names

In this guide I will outline the numerous silver alloy marks and trade names that have been used throughout the world on antiques and collectibles.

Many of these marks can confuse the buyer, dealer or collector if they aren't knowledgeable in the different trade names and alloys.

Please note that these markings and trade names are not for sterling silver. I have listed as many trade names and types of alloys as I can find.

Breathless by Charbert c1933

Breathless by Charbert was launched in 1933.

Deborah International

In the 1980's, Omni was launched as a bargain designer impression fragrance by Deborah Richman and distributed under the brand Deborah International.

Graffiti by Roberto Capucci c1963

Graffiti by Roberto Capucci: launched in 1963. It was created by the perfumers at Roure.

Help! My Perfume Has Sediment and has Darkened

I get a lot of questions from readers who cannot understand why their vintage perfume has little things floating in them. I have definitely had my share of bottles that had the floaties in some of my old perfumes too. This is mainly due to the natural decomposition process of the perfume. 

According to some of the questions I get from readers, they are afraid they may have unknowingly bought a counterfeit. While it is true that many modern counterfeits may have nasty bits floating in the suspicious fluid, there are perfectly reasonable explanations why you could find sediment in your genuine vintage bottle. 

If you collect vintage perfume you will notice some of the resins tend to collect in the bottom of the bottle. The sediment is actually the natural oils and essences coagulating as they start to break down. The alcohol and water inside will probably start to evaporate slowly over time and you will be left with a thick, syrupy concentrated perfume residue inside.

Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci c1973

Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci: launched in 1973.

Ce Soir ou Jamais by Parfums Offenthal c1927

Parfums Offenthal of Paris was established by Lucienne Offenthal, a purse maker at 24 rue de la Paix, Paris in 1925. She sold perfume, luxury giftware and purses under the "Pompadour" name in the 1920s - 1930s. The "Pompadour" shop was at 78 Champs Elysées, Paris in the Arcades (in 1928)

Offenthal was best known for her Ce Soir ou Jamais perfume, launched around 1927. This perfume was a favorite of the actress Sylvia Sidney.

Parfums Du-Be

 PARFUMS DU BÉ of 245 Fifth Avenue, New York. NY was established in 1936.

IPBA Annual Convention 2018

It's getting to be that time of year again! The International Perfume Bottle Association's annual convention will be held in Tyson's Corner, VA from April 26th, 2018 to April 29th, 2018.


A three-day extravaganza featuring the world's premiere exhibition and sale with the field's leading dealers featuring thousands of bottles and an internationally recognized auction. The convention draws together collectors and dealers from around the world.

https://www.perfumebottles.org/upcoming-convention/3868/Annual-Convention-2018

Last year, I was finally able to attend a convention, held in Princeton, NJ, and while I was only there for a few short hours, I got to take some photos of the exhibits and items for sale by our friendly members.