Lubin, Cuir de Russie, 'Russian Leather', 30 ml. or 1 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1920, Paris, France ..

Lubin is one of the oldest perfume houses in continual existence. The company was founded by Pierre Francois Lubin in 1798, when he began creating scented products for members of high society and notoriety alike. Lubin, like Guerlain, was esteemed with recognition from the Imperial Court of the Bonapartes and all the crowned heads of Europe thereafter. The firm was well-known for their perfumes and bottles alike, with flacons designed by Julien Viard and Maurice Depinoix and special, luxury editions from Baccarat. The firm created a strong presence in the United States commencing in the 1830s and were especially well-received in the South where many families traced their origins back to France. The firm remians in existence today and Olivia Giacobetti is the current fragrance designer.

"Lubin’s interpretation of the leather theme is perhaps the most literal I have found. The perfume’s opening has a slightly medicinal, slightly hesperidic, and clearly herbal quality to it, alluding to perhaps some petitgrain and camphor notes. As the initial notes dries down, the fragrance has an oily quality to it, reminiscent of fur. Here however, the fragrance takes a distinct turn. The heavy quality of the opening dissipates, leaving just a hint of spice in its wake. What this reveals is the mildest, most realistic and unadorned leather scent I have found. It is purely gorgeous, buttery leather, the kind that would be used to make fine gloves for a woman’s hands. As the fragrance dies down, there is a very slight floral quality to it, as though the lovely kid gloves had retained the slightest hint of scent from the wearer’s perfumed wrist."

"Cuir de Russie recalls fumed rawhide, the soft scraped skin, smoked to a light brown color but not soaked in birch tar. Resinous notes of cistus and styrax, smooth and transparent, appear cautiously, and if smoked birch tar is present, it's in a very minor quantity. Some orthodox smell of styrax and benzoin is added to the leathery facet. Later, beneath the resins are found bitter woody chords: notes of oakmoss and vetiver, with smooth warm balsamic notes and possibly orris."

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Bergamot, and Mandarin
Heart notes are Jasmine, Oriental Rose, Ylang Ylang, Orris, and Cistus
Base notes are Birch, Sandalwood, Leather, Styrax, Benzoin, and Camphor

Offered here is a lovely previously opened bottle of Lubin's beautiful Cuir de Russie. It is very rare and highly collectible. Partially used or some evaporation. I am personally a great lover of Lubin and most especially of this Cuir! I feel that this is certainly one of the most fabulous cuir perfumes around! No box.