Jeanne Lanvin, Géranium d'Espagne, 'Spanish Geranium', 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Eau de Lanvin Spray, 1925, 1950, Paris, France ...

The story of the house of Lanvin started with the founder of the fashion house, the milliner Jeanne Lanvin, who was born on the 1st of January of 1867 in Paris, and was the eldest of 11 children born to the poor family of Bernard-Constant Lanvin and Sophie-Blanche. Luckily for them, Jeanne's grandfather, Jacques-Firmin Lanvin, was friends with Victor Hugo who helped them along every way he could.

At the age of 13, Jeanne entered the workforce as a seamstress and milliner. As the years passed, her work became greatly admired, and she earned her apprenticeship at Félix and later at Cordeau's, working in Barcelona. Upon returning to Paris, Jeanne Lanvin became mistress of her own affairs, and she founded her own millinery fashion house at rue du Marché Saint-Honoré. Her next address upon expanding her headquarters would be 16 rue Boissy d’Anglais, while the final destination for her business, still standing to this day, is at 22, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Géranium D'Espagne by Lanvin was launched in 1925, created by Madame Marie Zede, and later may have been tweaked by Andre Fraysse. WWII halted production of the perfume but by 1950 it was re-introduced and renamed Spanish Geranium in 1951 for the US market. The scent was available in parfum extrait, dusting powder, bath oil, Eau de Lanvin (a toilet water), eau de parfum mist , talcum powder and in 1957, the perfume was available in pink, hard milled soap bars by Lanvin.

Spanish Geranium is a fresh, spicy floral perfume with dominant geranium and rose notes.

Top notes are Aldehydes, Geranium, Lemon, and Bergamot
Middle notes are Palmarosa, Carnation, Rose Geranium, and Pepper
Base notes are Tonka, Oak Moss, Ambergris, Patchouli, Benzoin, and Sandalwood

"It starts out very crisp with the green, herbal, spiced, pungency of a fresh geranium blossom, mixed with sun-drenched creamy rose geraniums and vibrant lemons or bergamot too, then it mellows out to a beautiful oakmoss , palmarosa, patchouli and amber blend with hints of sweet benzoin, sandalwood and civet. After an hour, I can still detect the lemon and fresh geranium notes. The perfume is very heady, and definitely a wonderfully made true to life geranium perfume.

The perfume is almost masculine in its composition and reminds me a little of Early American Old Spice, because of the geranium notes. Spanish Geranium was reportedly a favorite of Joan Crawford and I can certainly see why, it is excruciatingly intoxicating. If Lanvin were to revive a version of this, I am sure it would be loved by many as it was for decades before it was discontinued." Cleopatra's Boudoir

Offered here is a lovely bottle of the Spanish Geranium in the Eau de Lanvin strength. This is presented in a two ounce bottle that is sheathed in geranium red bakelite holder. It has never been used and is absolutely full. The container is not absolutely pristine. A few blemishes to the red lacquer, and the metallic topper is missing, having been replaced with a gold seal. No box. A delightful geranium fragrance .. Incredibly hard to find .. Loved by many .. both man and women ..