Lenthéric, Lentheric, Red Lilac, 100 ml. or 3.5 oz. Flacon, Bouquet Lenthéric, Eau de Toilette, 1958, Paris, France ..

Lenthéric is an very old and venerated company which was established in 1795 as a millinery. In the 19th century, fashion accessories were added to the store. From 1873, perfumes were being informally blended in the store for sale. Guillaume Louis Lenthéric, a hairdresser, established the perfume-cosmetics company 'La Parfumerie des Orchidees' in 1885.

Guillaume Lenthéric exclusively distilled and dispensed the rarest perfumes in France for the loveliest ladies of the courts and aristocracy in Europe. He was one of the first to venture into foreign fields and eventually his firm passed into English hands. A large building at 245 rue du Faubourg-Saint Honore in Paris was acquired in 1885 and turned into a salon for millinery, perfumes, cosmetics and important beauty-hairdressing. Lenthéric was made a Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur in gratitude for his contributions to one of France's greatest industries.

By 1900, branches were opened in Deauville, Monte Carlo, Nice, Biarritz, Ostend, Baden-Baden, and London. In 1910, the company was acquired by Velsch & Holtz. Guillaume Lenthéric died in 1912. Lenthéric began marketing perfumes in the United States in the 1920s, opening a very lavish salon at the Savoy Plaza in New York. Their distributor was John J. Murphy. The firm incorporated in 1924. Lenthéric became a subsidiary of Squibb, and was 90% controlled by the parent company in January 1942.

In 1947, Lenthéric, Inc., experienced a decline in earnings due to higher wages, advertising expenses, and vast returns of merchandise from retail stores, which trimmed inventories. In 1951 the company hoped to increase sales by introducing a new line of makeup called Sheer Beauty. Lenthéric was later acquired by Squibb in 1956. Squibb had manufacturing plants in Brooklyn, New York and New Brunswick, New Jersey in July 1952. The Squibb main building was at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street in New York City.

In 1990, Old Bond Street, which was owned by Wasserstein Perella & Co., purchased Lenthéric and Yardley . In 1998, Old Bond Street collapsed and Lenthéric was sold to Shaneel Enterprises Ltd. Such was the fate of this marvelous old company, but due to the high quality of the products, they were able to maintain their sales and stay in business through the different ownerships.

Red Lilac was launched in 1958. It was among several other soliflore fragrances introduced at that time. Lilac is a very illusive scent and hard to extract from the flower, and yet it is so beloved to every woman. The Greek legend tells us about the young Pan .. God of forests and fields. Once upon a time he met charming beautiful graceful nymph Syringa who was talking to the dawn. He couldn’t take his eyes off Syringa. As he run after her and tried to talk to her, she got scared and run away. When Pan wanted to calm her down she suddenly turned into hollow water reeds with the help of Artemis. Pan cut several reeds and made the first pan pipe. The name Syringa came from Greek “syrinks” meaning “pipe”. Shepherds made flutes of lilac wood. Whoever heard the music from flute made of lilac will never forget the melody.

Despite the short blooming season lilac is loved and adored everywhere for unpretentiousness, wonderful fragrance, lovely colors and purity. The scent of lilac has a beautiful creamy quality in the same way that Ylang Ylang is creamy. While there are no notes remaining for this perfume, I think it is something like this ..

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Bergamot, and Neroli
Heart notes are Lilac, Jasmine and Angelica Seed
Base notes are Galbanum, Sandalwood, and Vanilla

Offered here is a pristine bottle of this gorgeous lilac fragrance, never opened or used. It comes in its original presentation box. I have opened it and smelled it, and can attest that is is absolutely beautiful .. a lovely old treasure ..