Bourjois, Kobako, 'Small Precious Box', 50 ml. or 1.76 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1936, Paris, France ..

In 1860, M. Ponsin, an actor, established a shop at 28 place Vendome, Paris, which sold perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics. In 1869, the shop was purchased by Alexandre Napoleon Bourjois and the company was renamed Bourjois. Around 1880, Emile Orosdi became a co-proprietor and in 1898, the business was acquired by Ernest Wertheimer, who had already established a reputation of producing perfumes, theatrical makeup, and a best selling rice face powder called Java. Bourjois invented the first dry rouge in 1890, and marketed the first powder compact

In the 1910s, Bourjois had set up an office in New York City. Manon Lescaut was one of the earliest Bourjois fragrances, introduced in 1907. In 1917, Pierre and Paul Wertheimer took over direction of Bourjois, with a new focus on modern, contemporary style. They wanted to move away from the traditional floral fragrances. Their fragrance Mon Parfum was launched in 1919, with the idea that "my perfume reflects my personality."

The Wertheimer Brothers made a fortune through theatre and vaudeville by selling their products there, and they met Coco Chanel while she was dancing as a showgirl. The Wertheimers cut a deal with her and would also go on to be the owners of Chanel perfumes. Cleopatra's Boudoir.

Kobako was launched in 1936, and is classified as a Chypre Floral fragrance for women. The nose behind this fragrance is Ernest Beaux, the same perfumer who created Chanel No. 5. Kobako refers to a lacquer or porcelain box containing incense; Kobako means "perfume-box" in Japanese. The perfume bottle for Kobako was made by Verreries Brosse. Its red bakelite presentation case was designed by Eduard Fornells. The red and black Bakelite presentation case was meant to imitate aged and carved cinnabar.

Top notes are Bergamot, Neroli, Vanilla, Jasmine, and Rose
Heart notes are Magnolia, Galbanum, Cloves, Cinnamon, Carnation, Tonka Bean, and Lily
Base notes are Benzoin, Frankincense, Amber, Oak Moss, and Leather

Offered here is an increasingly rare 50 ml. Flacon with its original presentation box .. it is the cardboard version, not the bakelite box. This widely sought after perfume, made by Ernest Beaux, is now highly collectible and commands a high price. The perfume is beautiful. It is sweet, feminine and deep, and to me even more lovely than the original Chanel No. 5. The bottle has is no longer sealed but has been barely used ..