La Petite Robe Noire Hair Mist c2014

La Petite Robe Noire Hair Mist by Guerlain: launched in 2014. Created by Thierry Wasser.

Flacon L'Urne Antique c1830

1830 Guerlain perfume bottle and stopper, used for various scents, clear glass, molded address label., edge chipping on stopper plug. Bottle stands 4" tall.

Faked Guerlain Perfume Bottle

I wanted to bring to your attention, a cleverly crafted fake Guerlain perfume bottle. While this may simply have been crafted by a hobbyist for their own benefit, it undoubtedly made it's way into the open market and was being offered for sale. A suspecting buyer had asked some questions to some of use on the IPBA members facebook group and we all chimed in with our opinions.

I for one immediately dismissed this as a fake bottle based on the sloppy baudruchage, the weird "label", the stopper, the overall look of the piece as a whole, as well as my own extensive knowledge on Guerlain's perfume bottles.

Let's talk about the baudruchage for a moment. On this bottle with see gold and white cotton baker's twine and red and gold sealing wax used to decoratively seal the bottle. We know that Guerlain did not use this sort of baudruchage cording - nor this type of sloppy sealing wax. Guerlain uses only the finest silk threads to finish the barbichage (bearding the silk threads), brossage (brushing the yarn into place), wax seal and signature Guerlain stamp - an art of bottling that the Dames de table craftswomen pass down from generation to generation, just like guildsmen.

The photos below illustrate the care that goes into Guerlain's baudruchage.

Ok, now back to the fake perfume bottle...the stopper. The stopper appears to be metal and embossed with an Art Nouveau floral pattern. While it is very pretty - Guerlain did not use this type of stopper.

The bottle shape itself. While the shape is similar to a bottle by Guerlain called the Flacon de Guerre (the wartime bottle), it is not exactly the same. The fake bottle features sharply sloping shoulders, while the flacon de guerre's shoulders have slight sloping and a ridge around the short neck of the bottle. Also the

Now let's get onto the label of the fake bottle. It does not follow any known form of an authentic Guerlain label. It is however most likely a header from a letter, advertisement, receipt or other sort of document. It is also from the 19th century as evidenced by the wording: "Guerlain Parfumeur Brevete de S.M. L'Imperatrice Des Cours de Russie, d`Allemagne et d 'Angleterre Paris Rue de la Paix ,15."

Please see the image below of an authentic Guerlain document:

Veritable Moelle de Boeuf

To condition the hair, Guerlain created the Veritable Moelle de Boeuf, a pomade made up of beef marrow to promote hair growth.

"True Beef Marrow " porcelain cosmetic box decorated with grisaille representing oxen and golden highlights.  Diameter: 6.8 cm. 

$80,000 For Shalimar - Are You Kidding?

Ok, some ebayer has gone off the deep end here. They are asking $80,000 for this bottle of Shalimar Eau de Cologne, with the No. 90 label. A one litre Montre flacon.

Money laundering?

Click here to see the auction

This Weeks Guerlain Rarities on Ebay

LOOKING TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION? HERE ARE THE LATEST GUERLAIN RARITIES I FOUND ON EBAY THIS WEEK! ENJOY!

Guerlain Heritage Case from 2008.  For its 180th anniversary in 2008 Guerlain issued a luxurious leather coffret called the Guerlain Heritage Case containing a collection of 18 of the house's fragrances best representing its perfume history since 1828. Only 205 copies were made. The labels on the bottles are inspired by historic Guerlain labels from the Art Deco period.  This has the authentication papers and is numbered at 186/205.

"A precious and elegant leather showcase that opens to reveal 18 iconic fragrances. From Eau de Cologne Impériale, composed for Empress Eugénie in 1853, to Guerlain's newest scent, Cruel Gardénia, created in 2008. This case is a vision of elegance, a symbol of rare and refined luxury and a prestigious gift to celebrate a unique fragrance heritage."

The Guerlain collectors set includes 18 of the best fragrances released by the firm since its founding, including: 

1853 Eau de Cologne Imperiale. 

1889 Jicky. 

1912 L’Heure Bleue. 

1919 Mitsouko. 

1925 Shalimar. 

1959 Vetiver. 

1965 Habit Rouge. 

1979 Nahema. 

1989 Samsara. 

2003 L’Instant de Guerlain. 

2004 L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme. 

2005 Rose Barbare. 

2005 Angelique Noire. 

2005 Cuir Beluga. 

2006 Bois d’Armenie. 

2006 Insolence. 

2007 Iris Ganache. 

2008 Cruel Gardenia.

Click here to see the auction

Lavande Parfum in Quadrilobe flacon in it's original box. c1920. 

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a classic fougere or chypre fragrance with a strong lavender note. 

Top notes: lemon, bergamot 

Middle notes: lavender, galbanum 

Base notes: labdanum, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss and vetiver

Click here to see the auction

A Travers Champs Parfum in Quadrilobe Flacon. c1940s. 

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a powdery floral amber fragrance for women based on flowers of the fields. 

Top notes: lily of the valley, violet, bergamot, petitgrain 

Middle notes: rose, orris, carnation, ylang ylang, sandalwood, clove, patchouli, benzoin 

Base notes: orris, vanilla, suede 

Click here to see the auction

Bouquet de Faunes Lalique Flacon c1920s.

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Limited Edition Muguet 1999, Guerlain 75 ml Eau de Toilette. 

So what does it smell like? It is a crisp green floral fragrance with a dominant fresh lily of the valley note.

Top notes: lemon, bergamot, lily of the valley

Middle notes: jasmine, Turkish rose, lily and carnation

Base notes: patchouli, oakmoss, leather, sandalwood

Click here to see the auction

Apres l'Ondee 30ml Parfum in Louis XVI flacon.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a powdery floral fragrance for women with spicy and musk notes.

Top notes: rosemary, hawthorn, bergamot, lavender,

Middle notes:  jasmine, lily, orchid, orange blossom, violet, bouvardia

Base notes: orris and Tonkin musk

Click here to see the auction

Mouchoir de Monsieur in Quadrilobe flacon with wartime label.  

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Parure Eau de Cologne mini Bottle. c1970s.

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Elixir de Guerlain Antiseptic Dentifrice, mouthwash in 1 litre bee bottle...unusual...

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L'Heure Bleue 2/3 oz Parfum in Bouchon Coeur flacon. Sealed in original packaging, nice price!

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Mitsouko 7.5ml Parfum in Enameled Canister, from 1991. Quite rare!

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Flacon Carré Plat Ruspini c1830

Ruspini's Elixir for the Teeth and Gums by Guerlain: launched about 1880. It was housed in the  The elixir was supposedly a cure for toothaches.

Glass bottle held a mouthwash originally created by surgeon dentist to King George IV, the Chevalier Ruspini.

Magnum Import Perfume Bottles

The Magnum Import Company was an importer from New York who repackaged French perfumes for sale to the American market during the early 1920s.

You can find Magnum bottles with name of Caron, Guerlain, Coty, Grenoville, Rosine, D'Orsay, Roger et Gallet, Houbigant, Dedon

Magnum was wholly independent from these companies.

Vintage 1960s Counter Top Lucite Perfume Tester Rack

The display case is made of black and clear lucite. It measures 9" across,  2 3/4" high and 2 1/2" deep.

 It holds six perfume bottles, each 2 1/2" high. The back of the case is removable to gain access to the bottles. The bottles are glass with long glass daubers. The black screw on tops are black plastic. The white paper labels have the name of the fragrance and "TEST SAMPLE  NOT TO BE SOLD". Also on the label is the red Marly horse logo.

Two of the bottles contain Mitsouko, created in 1919. The others are: Chant d'Aromes (1962), L'Heure Bleue (1912), Vol de Nuit (1933) and Shalimar (1925).

Photos by ebay seller thingsnstrings

L'Heure Bleue Lotion Vegetale in Bee Bottle

Here is a rarity, L'Heure Bleue Lotion Vegetale in a bee bottle. Bottle stands 7.87" which means this is a 500cc/500 ml/16.9 oz size.

First used in  1947, the stopper, which the seller says is frozen in place, leads me to believe that it is ground glass and not covered with plastimeri.

Guerlain's Advice for Ladies c1902

Country Life, 1902:

"M. Guerlain who is an authority on all matters relating the uses and abuses of scents says that it is the greatest to imagine that sachet powder perfumes. According to him, the only pleasant way of perfuming "laces, linen and ladies" is with an extract and a vaporiser; nothing else is of any real use. It is also a mistake to adopt one perfume alone, for it is essential not only to vary one's perfume with the seasons, but for every occasion. We do not wear the same dress in the evening as in the morning, in a motor-car, or in the saddle, and a moment's reflection will show that the scent that is agreeable in the open air can be offensive at a dinner-table. If we once study this question, as it should be studied by all women of refined taste, we shall find that we cannot do better than follow the Parisienne, who never favours what are called extracts of flowers - carnation, lilac, mignonette, etc. She has learnt that the majority of these scents are made from petroleum or terpinol, and have nothing in common with the names they bear. Let us follow her in her selection for spring. She chooses "Tsao Ko" or "Zicky" [sic] for her perfume for her morning ride in the Bois "Fleur Qui Meurt" for a dinner party, and "Jardin de Mon Curé" for the Opera. If you are passing through the Rue de la Paix, call in at Guerlain's and judge how exquisite is her taste." 

La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Toilette c2012

La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Toilette by Guerlain: launched in 2012.

From Guerlain:

"I am absolutely essential and utterly irresistible. I am the chic and very glamorous perfumed creation by Guerlain. My fragrance is a fresh and swirling floral lace, embroidered with sparkling fruity notes. My glass showcase is the legendary "heart-shaped" bottle, which has been boldly reinterpreted with a modern touch. Its crystalline transparency, tinged with a delicate, powdery pink, reveals a silhouette of my sophisticated little strapless dress, ready to dance! 

Flacon Goutte (Teardrop) c1923-2001

Flacon Goutte (Teardrop) c1923-2001

Guerlilas by Guerlain c1930

Guerlilas, launched by Guerlain in 1930 and created by Jean-Jacques Guerlain, carries a name that elegantly blends the company's signature with a botanical reference. The name "Guerlilas" is a portmanteau of "Guerlain" and "lilas," the French word for lilac. Pronounced "Gwer-lee-lah," the name evokes an image of both the esteemed Guerlain house and the delicate, enchanting lilac flower.

The word "Guerlilas" conjures images of a lush garden in full bloom, where the air is perfumed with the sweet, powdery aroma of lilacs. The name suggests a fragrance that harmoniously integrates Guerlain’s refined artistry with the soft, floral beauty of lilacs. Lilacs are known for their delicate, yet intoxicating scent, often evoking feelings of romance and nostalgia. This sense of refined elegance and gentle charm would have appealed greatly to women of the time, offering a scent that was both sophisticated and evocative.

Guerlilas is classified as a floral fragrance for women, with its predominant lilac notes layered over the signature Guerlinade accord. The fragrance opens with a fresh and floral burst of lilac, an ingredient known for its light and airy aroma that immediately transports the wearer to a serene garden. The lilac notes are complemented by the Guerlinade accord, which provides a rich, warm foundation that enhances the delicate floral scent with a touch of sensuality and depth. This combination creates a perfume that is both uplifting and comforting, with the lilac notes capturing the essence of spring and renewal.

During the early 20th century, lilacs were cherished in perfumery for their enchanting and subtle fragrance, often used to evoke a sense of floral purity and elegance. Guerlain would have sourced lilacs from various regions known for their cultivation, such as France, where the flower was prized for its high-quality blooms. The inclusion of lilac in Guerlilas not only reflects the era's preference for light and airy floral scents but also highlights Guerlain’s commitment to capturing nature's beauty in their creations.

In the context of the 1930s, a decade marked by both artistic innovation and a longing for elegance amidst the backdrop of global economic challenges, Guerlilas would have provided women with a touch of sophistication and floral grace. The perfume's delicate lilac notes would have resonated with the desire for refinement and beauty, offering a fragrant escape into a world of floral splendor and timeless elegance.

Shalimar Presentation Box with Cosmetics c1925

"Shalimar" - (1925) Very rare and important rectangular poplar wood box wrapped in emerald green morocco leather, decorated with gilded arabesques, used to protect a Baccarat crystal sample vial of "Shalimar", a powder box of  "Poudre C'est Moi" and a Bakelite "Rouge d'Enfer" lipstick case with trimmings. Interior satin lined box. D: 18, 5 x 28, 5cm.

Ma Petite Robe Noire c2012

For Christmas 2012, Guerlain launched a pretty little trio of options for La Petite Robe Noire, which was freshly reworked that year. Three alternative “little black dresses” are featured on limited-edition bottles, named "Ma Petite Robe Noire."

You were able to choose which of the three dresses matched your or your gift recipient’s taste and have the bottle calligraphed with your name, initials or a secret message.

Agates Face Powder c1973

Before Guerlain released it's iconic Meteorites face powder pearls in 1987, they had introduced a precursor called Agates in 1973. The powder was so named for its beautiful box, which was inspired by Marie Antoinette's box covered in agates.

The box style was later used for the Meteorites packaging in 1987.

A very rare gold and pietra dura 'Steinkabinett', complete with secret compartment and explanatory booklet, Christian Gottlieb Stiehl, Dresden, circa 1770.  Of utmost rarity and 18th century scientific interest is the Steinkabinett by Christian Gottlieb Stiehl (1708-1792) – the lid of this ingeniously inlaid ‘Zellenmosaik’ hardstone box opens to reveal what resembles a stained glass window, and the original booklet contained in its secret compartment in the base lists all the stone specimens used for the carefully arranged hardstone surface of this precious masterpiece. 

ON EBAY!!! Candide Effluve 2007 Reissue in Brun Flume Flacon

ON EBAY!!! Candide Effluve 2007 Reissue in Brun Flume Flacon

Click here to see the auction

Candide Effluve was reissued in in 2007 as a limited edition in its historical bottle, the Brun Fume Baccarat crystal bottle. There are only 97 numbered bottles, which had a single production run in 1933, which were brought from the archives. The number engraved on each bottle is also rare and original. The bottle is housed inside of a velvet lined, lacquered presentation box. The reissue retailed for $2,600.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes: bergamot, lemon, ylang-ylang, lilac, angelica, thyme
• Middle notes: muguet, styrax, hyacinth, rose, jasmine, iris, heliotrope , myrrh
• Base notes: amber, sandalwood, leather, orris, patchouli, vetiver, benzoin, tonka bean and vanilla.

Mon Exclusif c2015

Mon Exclusif by Guerlain: launched in 2015. Created by Thierry Wasser.

To make a customized fragrance more accessible to those without unlimited purse strings, Guerlain has introduced Mon Exclusif, a fragrance that you can rename yourself.