Showing posts with label face powder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label face powder. Show all posts

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Terre de Retz Powder Boxes c1920s

"Terre de Retz" was a line of face powder sold by the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, The face powder was housed inside papier mache or composition powder boxes molded in various forms from historical figures to sailing ships. Richly painted in dreamy pastels or bold primary colors, these fanciful boxes adorned boudoirs during the 1920s.

c1927 ad


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Nysis by Agra c1919

Nysis by Agra Parfumeur: launched in 1919. Nysis was a line that included perfume, toilet water, cold cream, talc, face powder, vanishing cream, and soap.

The packaging is emblazoned with a wonderful Egyptian style woman's head wit long black hair.  Themes featuring any sort of Egyptomania was very popular during the 1920s. You can see from the advertisements below that the Egyptian theme was carried out by showing some Egyptian maidens to the upper right side of the ads. These were from a 1920 issue of Cosmopolitan.

Nysis has been discontinued since the 1920s. The products are very collectible, with the perfume and toilet water the most expensive and rare, while the face powder and the talcum tin are common.


 




Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Solon Palmer Perfumes

In this guide I have listed the various perfumes presented by Solon Palmer of New York, NY from 1878 to 1947. Established by Solon Palmer (1823 -1903) of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1847 as a Perfumer & Chemist; a perfume and toiletry company.

In 1870, he opened a branch at 12 Platt St. New York, shortly afterwards he moved to 372, 374 & 376 Pearl St., and by 1892 the company was continued by his son Eddy Palmer, later it was taken over by Solon M. Palmer, Palmer remained in business up until 1947.

Palmer's early beginnings selling his Palmer's Invisible, a ladies face powder, his Handkerchief Extracts, and toilet soaps helped project sales of his products. Later he added other products to his lines: Powders, Sachet Powders, Rouges, Lotions, Cold Creams, Tissue Creams, Perfumes, Brilliantine & Lip Stick.

Early cologne bottles were made of a beautiful shade of deep emerald green or rich teal in color and were usually the lay down types. Later bottles are clear glass, or light aqua glass and are cylindrical or hourglass shaped..

Click HERE to find Solon Palmer perfume 


In 1851, an advertisement reads:

"Solon Palmer - Perfumer & Chemist and wholesale & retail dealer in every description of perfumery, fine soaps, combs, brushes and toilet articles in general. Also Western Agent for Bazin's (late Roussel's) Perfumery."

An 1886 advertisement giveaway booklet on square dancing, Solon Palmer advertised himself as "the leading perfumer in America, established in 1847". It also listed 45 handkerchief perfumes.

An endorsement appears on the back of a trade card from New York, April 12th, 1884, "I unhesitantly pronounce your Perfumery Toilet Soaps and other toilet articles superior to any I ever used" signed Adelina Patti, who was a world famous soprano opera singer at the time, endorsing this product.

Solon Palmer produced over 100 perfumes from 1885-1920's, I listed all I could find, I know there are more to be found. If I missed one, please let me know. Some of the 1920's perfumes may have had earlier launch dates than shown. I listed the perfumes as found in advertisements of the era. I also added "circa dates" to some perfumes where I couldn't find an exact date. Sometimes you might find tax stamps on the bottles, generally these are good indicators of age.


Obituary:
Solon Palmer

Annual Meeting of the Manufacturing Perfumers' Association of the ..., Volume 9, 1903:
"Solon Palmer, one of the oldest and most widely known perfumers of America was born at Alstead, NH on Feb 3, 1823 and died at his home 622 West End Avenue New York City on Monday Jan 19, 1903. Educated in the common schools of his native place, he engaged in teaching at the age of sixteen years taking a place in the local school. A year or two later, he removed to Ohio where for a time he had charge of a country school. While prosecuting advanced studies, he developed a taste for chemistry and this directed his attention to medicine as a life profession. When of age he had fully determined to become a physician and going to Cincinnati entered upon a course of medical study. The journey was made by crossing Pennsylvania by canal to Pittsburgh and thence down the Ohio River to destination. 
Mr. Palmer began the manufacture of perfumes at Cincinnati in 1847. In this new line of effort, he derived marked advantages from his previous scientific training. Proceeding cautiously and satisfied with nothing short of substantial results, he soon developed a profitable business and his products became widely known. In 1870, he transferred his business to New York City, and entered upon the manufacture of perfumery in a large way at No 12 Piatt Street. Shortly afterwards, he removed his plant and offices to Nos 374 and 376 Pearl Street where he continued the manufacture up to the date of his demise, being at that time the oldest perfumer in the United States actively engaged in business, and the acknowledged dean of the perfume industry in America, although not widely known personally in the trade, as he did not make a practice of attending trade meetings.  
Mr. Palmer was probably the first American to engage in the manufacture of perfumery on a commercial scale. From the beginning he was loyal to the retail drug trade and the perfumes and toilet soaps of his manufacture were made exclusively for this trade. He was a man of untiring energy and gave his personal attention unremittingly to his business down to the time of his fatal illness. Mr Palmer had a love for reading and study and ripened into a man of fine literary and artistic tastes with a mind well informed on a wide variety of topics.  
In religious belief a Universalist, he became quite prominent in the affairs of that denomination. While residing in Cincinnati he was a member of the old Plum Street Congregation. Upon taking up his residence in the East he joined the Church of the Good Shepard in Jersey City, and for many years was President of its Board of Trustees. After establishing his residence in New York he joined the Church of the Eternal Hope. He took an active interest in charitable work, and at all times his means and counsel were at the service of the church he loved. and in which he shone as an exemplary member. He was a just and generous man. reverencing integrity in the spirit and conduct of others. and practicing it in his own. 
His business career was a brilliant example of success honorably achieved and worthily employed. Mr. Palmer leaves a widow and two children. Mr. Eddy Palmer his partner and successor and Mrs. George Coon."


The perfumes of Solon Palmer:


  • 1868 Fashion
  • 1868 Frangipani
  • 1868 Garland of Roses
  • 1868 Garland of Violets
  • 1868 Lilac Sweets
  • 1868 Marvel of Peru
  • 1868 May Bloom
  • 1868 Rob Roy
  • 1868 Violet Bloom
  • 1878 India Bouquet, reintroduced in 1892
  • 1879 Frangipanni 
  • 1879 White Lilac
  • 1879 White Rose
  • 1880 Florida Water
  • 1880 Tiffany Studios Tantalus
  • 1880 Victoria
  • 1884 Golden Lily of Japan
  • 1884 Bouquet de Caroline
  • 1884 Darling  Kisses
  • 1884 Floralina
  • 1884 Jasmine
  • 1884 Magnolia
  • 1884 Mille Fleurs
  • 1884 Moss Rose
  • 1884 Mousseline
  • 1884 Night Blooming Cereus
  • 1884 Pink
  • 1884 Rose
  • 1884 Rose Geranium
  • 1884 Solon Palmer's Fountain of Perfume
  • 1884 Spring Flowers
  • 1884 Stephanotis
  • 1884 Sweet Brier
  • 1884 Sweet Clover
  • 1884 Sweet Pea
  • 1884 Tea Rose
  • 1884 Tuberose
  • 1884 Upper Ten
  • 1884 Verbena
  • 1884 West End
  • 1884 White Pond Lily
  • 1885 Chautauqua Bouquet
  • 1890 Locust Sweets
  • 1892 Baby Ruth
  • 1893 Carnation Pink
  • 1893 Cordelia
  • 1893 Crab Apple Blossom
  • 1893 Heliotrope
  • 1893 Ihlang Ihlang
  • 1893 India Bouquet 
  • 1893 Jockey Club
  • 1893 Lilac Sweets 
  • 1893 May Bloom 
  • 1893 New Mown Hay
  • 1893 White Heliotrope
  • 1894 Our Jack
  • 1898 Dewey Bouquet
  • 1900 Apple Leaves
  • 1900 Ariston
  • 1900 Bay Rum Perfume
  • 1900 Cyrano
  • 1900 Red Clover
  • 1900 Rose Leaves
  • 1900 Violet Leaves
  • 1903 Baby Ruth 
  • 1903 Chautauqua Bouquet Garland (as applied to Perfumes Soaps and Toilet Articles)
  • 1903 Gem Violet 
  • 1903 Our Jack Palmer's Prefixed to Perfumes 
  • 1903 Red Clover 
  • 1903 Rob Roy 
  • 1903 Rose Leaves 
  • 1903 Violet Bloom 
  • 1903 Violet Leaves 
  • 1904 American Carnation Pink
  • 1904 Lily of the Valley
  • 1904 Palmer's Bay Rum Perfume
  • 1904 Wistaria
  • 1906 Rose Girl
  • 1906 Violet Girl
  • 1907 Alberta
  • 1908 Alpine Bouquet
  • 1908 Curio
  • 1908 Natural Perfumes Line
  • 1910 Echo
  • 1910 Gem
  • 1910 Lily of the Valley
  • 1910 Narcissus
  • 1910 Orange Blossom
  • 1910 Sweet Peas
  • 1910 Wisteria
  • 1913 Gardenglo Line (a floral perfume)
  • 1920 Honeysuckle
  • 1920 Musk
  • 1920 Orange Flower
  • 1920 Orchidlily (an aldehydic perfume)
  • 1920 Patchouly
  • 1920 Pinkfleur
  • 1920 Sandalwood de Oriente
  • 1920 White Heliotrope
  • 1922 Arbutus
  • 1922 Egyptian Lotus
  • 1922 Gem Rose
  • 1922 Rosefleur
  • 1922 Viofleur
  • 1922 Violet Bloom
  • 1923 Glenecho
  • 1925 Narcisfleur
  • 1926 Brocade, reintroduced in 1939 (a spicy floral perfume)
  • 1926 American Memories
  • 1928 Fiesta (an oriental perfume)
  • 1929 Black Tulip
  • 1929 Desert Primrose
  • 1929 Gold Leaf
  • 1930 Gene Palmer
  • 1933 Gardenia
  • 1934 White Rose
  • 1939 Dress Parade (an aldehydic perfume)
  • 1940 Inaugural Ball
  • 1942 Queen Victoria
  • 1945 English Lavender
  • 1946 Solon Palmer
  • 1947 Eau de Cologne
  • 1947 Centennial Bouquet
  • Hills Devon Gardens

Perfume facts:

  • The perfume Frangipanni was "a perfume of rare excellence" and reputedly a favorite of Swedish singer Jenny Lind.
  • The perfume Rob Roy was created as "a combination of sweetness and strength", in honor of the Scottish hero.
  • Our Jack was a perfume based on the Jack Rose, short for Jacqueminot rose, named after J. M. Jacqueminot (1787–1865) a French nobleman and general, and was advertised as "sweeter than the rose". The Jack Rose is a naturally beautiful rose that is dark pink, almost red in color.
  • Violet Bloom was a true violet perfume, and Lilac Sweets was the perfect lilac odor.
  • During the second World War, patriotism helped to market perfumes and beauty products, Dress Parade Perfume by Solon Palmer was advertised in 1939 as "The Perfume of Victory."









Saturday, February 23, 2013

Welcome!

This is not your average perfume blog. In each post, I present perfumes or companies as encyclopedic entries with as much facts and photos as I can add for easy reading and researching without all the extraneous fluff or puffery.

Please understand that this website is not affiliated with any of the perfume companies written about here, it is only a source of reference. I consider it a repository of vital information for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by. Updates to posts are conducted whenever I find new information to add or to correct any errors.

One of the goals of this website is to show the present owners of the various perfumes and cologne brands that are featured here how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table, did you like the bottle design), who knows, perhaps someone from the company brand might see it.

Also, if you have any information not seen here, please comment and share with all of us.

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