Richard Hudnut, Tenfold Carnation, 95 ml. or 3.3 oz. Flacon, Toilet Water, Spray Bulb, 1936, Paris, France, NY, New York ..

Richard Alexander Hudnut lived from June 2, 1855- October 30, 1928. He was an American businessman recognized as the first American to achieve international success in cosmetics manufacturing. The company once maintained separate US and European headquarters on Fifth Avenue in New York City and on the Rue de la Paix in Paris, respectively. Although his fortune had been built around cosmetics and beauty products, he preferred to be known as a "perfumer”.

Around 1880, a small pharmacy was opened in New York city and sold perfumes, cosmetics and assorted toiletries. Richard Hudnut, the son of the proprietor of the shop, became the first American selling luxury perfume presentations, though some of these were created in France, in an elegant shop which was directly influenced by the French and European perfumeries.

Early Richard Hudnut fragrances included Queen Anne Cologne (1880), Violet Sec (1896), Aimée (1902), DuBarry (1903), Vanity (1910), and Three Flowers (1915). Hudnut's beauty products were sold in department stores, an indication of their appeal to a more affluent and sophisticated clientele.

In 1916, the company was sold to Henry & Gustavus Adolphus Pfeiffer and Richard Hudnut was no longer involved in the business. As a result of this, Gustavus Adolphus became the president of the Richard Hudnut Company. In the 1920s, the company had expanded into Europe, and acquired the French style. The company proudced several luxurious presentations during the 1920s but the quality of designs declined gradually starting in the 1930s and right on thru to the 1950s.

Dianthus is derived from Greek, meaning di, Zeus and anthos, flower, “the flower of Zeus,” indicating its importance in the religious context of Ancient Greece. In Italy, Bologna in particular, the plant has been associated with Saint Peter and celebrated widely, with a special day at the end of June dedicated to carnation. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most popular flowers for fragrance gardens. Its probably most interesting usage has been recorded in the late 1600s, when the Countess of Dorset, England, made her own love potion, including carnation, lavender, bay leaf and marjoram. It is rather ironic that the flower of the most licentious of all Greek gods is supposed to have powers to cure wayward lovers. Interesting to note is that carnation signified devotion and loyalty in a variety of traditions, from European to Asian.

Carnation is cultivated in many countries, but carnation absolute is produced only in the south of France. It possesses floral spicy scent with pepper and clove nuance. Carnation is often used in classical fragrances due to its spicy peppery scent that deepens floral notes, and is especially effective combined with rose scent. Unfortunately, today many perfumers consider carnation to be an old fashioned component, as at the moment the fashion dictates fresher fragrances. Yet, carnation is still unavoidable component in oriental fragrances.

Drug and Cosmetic Industry, Volume 42, 1938: "Hudnut's Tenfold perfumes are now exquisitely bottled in a delicate fluted glass column. This package is obtainable in nine fragrances, Jasmin, Narcisse, Soul of the Violet, Gardenia, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Yanky Clover and Carnation."

Hudnut's Tenfold Carnation opens with a wonderful burst of spicy notes, very strong and alive, and then softens down to a gorgeous spicy rose, with hints of patchouli and soft woods. Suggested notes are ..

The top notes are Carnation, Orange Blossom and Bergamot
Middle notes are Marigold, Cloves, Rose, and Violet Leaf
Base Notes are Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Iris

Offered here is a wonderful old bottle of Hudnuts Tenfold Carnation toilet water that is absolutely pristine. Never opened and never used, and still in its original packaging, including a functioning bulb for spraying. I cannot guarantee that the bulb will still work, although it has not collapsed or perished. Might be better to just splash this edt on straight from the bottle. Smells lovely .. very fresh and invigorating ..