John Wanamaker, Devon Violets, 210 ml. or 7 oz. Flacon, Pure Parfum, 1950, Devon, England, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ..

John Wanamaker Department Store was the first department store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the first department stores in the United States. At its zenith in the early 20th century, Wanamaker also had a store in New York City at Broadway and Ninth Street. Both employed extremely large staffs. By the end of the 20th century, there were 16 Wanamaker's outlets, but after years of change the chain was bought by Albert Taubman, and added to his previous purchase of Woodward & Lothrop, the Washington, D.C., department store.

In 1994, 'Woodies', as it was known, filed for bankruptcy. The assets of Woodies were purchased by the May Company Department Stores and J. C. Penney. In 1995, Wanamakers transitioned to Hecht's, one of the May Company brands. In 2006, Macy's Center City became the occupant of the former Philadelphia Wanamaker's Department Store, which is now a National Historic Landmark.

During the years of prosperity and growth, John Wanamaker imported Devon Violets perfume for his beauty department, as did other large department stores in the US. The perfume was produced and bottled in Devon, but sold under the Wanamaker label in the US. As part of the beauty department of the store and by popular demand, Wanamaker carried the lovable English Devon Violets perfume for his American customers. It was produced for Wanamaker by a reputable English Devon Violets producer in the UK.

Springtime on Dartmoor sees the emergence of the delicate violet, often nestled under a hedgebank alongside the primrose. This sweet scented harbinger of warmer days has for centuries been part of the moorman’s medicine cabinet and lore. The violet is common along the hedgebanks and row of the lower moorland fringes and is often found phalanxed by the more ebullient primrose.

There are in fact two main species of violet found on Dartmoors, the sweet violet and the later flowering less scented Dog Violet, both are classed as a herb. Since medieval times the violet has represented the month of March in the flower calendar because this was the normal month of its emergence. The sweet violet is regarded as the true flower of Valentine’s Day as legend has it that whilst in prison, St Valentine wrote a letter to his lover with ink made from violets.

The Viola Odorata was one of the first flowering plants to be grown commercially. It was noted that they were for sale in Athens 400BC being grown in specialist Nurseries in Attica. Throughout the centuries Violets have been a favourite flower, either for their perfume which scented the rooms and floors or their medicinal qualities which are still being researched today. Most perfumes of violets today are synthetic, but the perfume evokes such nostalgic memories for so many people. Dawlish in Devon was the most important centre for the cultivation of Violets in 1916 and a special train ran from Cornwall to London carrying all the flowers on their way to Covent Garden Market every day. By 1936 there was a flourishing trade from this area and flowers were sent regularly to the Queen and ladies at the Court. During the war years the land was requisitioned for the growing of food, and violets went out of fashion, sadly never to return.

This lovely flacon of Real Devonshire Violets perfume came from the time when the flowers were grown in Devon, and the perfume has a lovely buttery deep violet scent. The perfume was made from both Violet flower and leaves, and it has stood the test of time. The painting on the bottle is a little blemished.

Offered here is a huge never opened or used bottle of the perfume, presented in a charming round bottle hand painted with devon violets. It is a real art deco design, with the round bakelite lid, and since it came from Wanamakers, who closed down in the 1970's, I am going to guess that this bottle was produced in the 1950's. Charming for violet lovers .. There is an inner plug or seal that has kept it from evaporating over the many yearas .. A lovely violet fragrance ..