Corday, Le Lilas, 'Lilacs', 50 ml. or 1.76 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, Baccarat, 1928, Paris, France ..

Corday perfumery was established by Blanche Arvoy, nee Reneaux, a perfumer and cosmetician, at 15 rue de la Paix, Paris in 1924, one year after she opened the Jovoy perfumery which was located at 127 rue de Longchamp, Paris.

Blance Antoinette Rose Reneaux was born on December 21st, 1892, at Montreuil Sur Mer, near Calis. She married an Englishman, Bertie Istvan Arvoy, and thus became Blanche Arvoy. In addition to Corday, she also established Jovoy, a fragrance house that sold a number of fine perfumes. Corday was launched in 1924.

Corday began its U.S. operations in the 1940's. Tzigane .. the gipsy violin .. in 1949 became its great success. In the United States, T.C. Wheaton of Millville, New Jersey, was the major supplier of bottles. Wheaton had the capability of manufacturing both bottles and stoppers. Corday discontinued its U.S. operations in the 1960's.

Corday was among the early 20th century perfumers that attracted new customers by launching sample collections. Sample tubes or miniature bottles were distributed, sometimes with matching souveniers such as bookmarks or illustrated cards. Others using this strategy included Guerlain, Bourjois, Colgate, Roger & Gallet, L.T. Piver, and Coty.

Corday's most impressive use of this technique was in their "Rue de la Paix" collection of 1952. The design was a Parisien lamp post with miniature bottles of Corday perfume inside each of the three "lamps". Included in the presentation were Fame, Jet and Tzigane. The name, "Rue de la Paix," was taken from Corday's address at 15 Rue de la Pais, Paris. Blanche Arvoy created early perfume concepts and high quality presentations and was awarded the silver medal in 1925 for her creations. She later sold to Max Factor in 1960.

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.

"Their Le Lilas appeared in 1928 and reached our shores in 1931. Lilac itself is rarely used in parfumerie and is even more rare as a soliflore. It is difficult to extract the floral oil and still have it be true to the flower. Le Lilas is an interestingly dry lilac, very green and slightly minty. Mimosa oil also contains this mint-like quality. There is an earthiness to Le Lilas that suggests the use of orris. The lilac and galbanum take center stage almost immediately. This is certainly unisex by today’s standards and is quite restrained and sophisticated. As it dries down, the jasmine, musk and vanilla emerge to soften the dryness and round it out. Perfect for spring and summer wear. It is light and gentle and a scent meant for the young, in my opinion. Quite lovely and happily still available from private sellers of vintage scent." Basenotes Review. Jack Twist

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.

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 beautiful pristine two ounce unopened large Baccarat bottle of this gorgeous scent in its original lovely turquoise presentation box. These are very hard to find no, and are highly collectible. Beautiful sparkling heavy Baccarat bottle. Just gorgeous!