Deletterez, Crescendo, 40 ml. or 1.4 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1939, Paris, France ..

A perfumery was founded in Paris in 1835 by M. Delettrez. It became the "Fragrance of the Elegant World and the High Society " from 1853 onwards, and opened its shop at the 11th and 15th-17th of the Rue d'Enghien and began its success in the Second Empire with its Eau de Cologne of the large cordon and its compositions based on cocoa milk which it promotes with a great reinforcement of advertisements. In 1861, Delettrez and Compagnie opened its own laboratories in Neuilly-sur-Seine, located at 31, Avenue du Roule and with an area of ​​2,500 square meters . In 1878, at the Universal Exhibition , the house was reported as a member of the perfumery chamber.

Becoming a general partnership, "Blanc and Delafoy, a world-class perfumery, Delettrez brand", it opened a retail store in 1872 at 54-56 Richer Street and moved it to 5, boulevard des Italiens around 1892. In 1890, under the technical direction of Georges-Félix Delettrez (1849-1928), it became the "Société Anonyme parfumerie du monde élégant, Maison Delettrez" placed in the "Société Franco-American for the manufacture of ultra-fine perfumeries And soaps of toilets Ch. Blanc et Cie launched on the stock market by the Comptoir Lyon-Alemand for an announced capital of six million gold francs . It opens a prestigious address at 15 rue Royale and a subsidiary in New York responsible for importing the raw materials from France and reselling them once they have been licensed under Delettrez.

In 1914, Les Parfums d'Arly (active until 1934) was founded by Victor Vivaudou who had joined forces with Delettrez. Victor Francois Benjamin Vivaudou was reported as having descended from a long line of family members who had been involved in the creation of perfumes. But this would seem to have been just advertising hype. In fact, his family had been involved in the far less glamorous boat building business. There is no doubt, though, that he had been born in the heartland of French perfumery, near Grasse, and had been educated at the Lycée de Nice where he would have been taught both the art and science of the business of perfume.

At the age of 17, in 1898, he reportedly left Nice to work in Paris in an unnamed perfume laboratory (probably Delettrez) but details of his earliest working life are unclear. However, a few years later Vivaudou found himself in England where the English perfume company, Erasmic, would eventually employ him. But, he never lost contact with the perfume industry in France and was even a member of Juries of Awards at various international exhibitions, where perfumery was featured.

England would be Vivaudou’s home, though, for the best part of a decade leading up to the beginning of The First World War. And it was in England that he met and married Agnes Rosenthal, in 1905, and by 1913 there were four children; Marie Blanche born in 1906, Jean in 1908, Renee in 1911 and Marguerite in 1913. Unfortunately for Agnes, it was also in England that Victor eventually acquired a mistress, Rose.

The money and opportunity needed to create his own perfume business came from two sources. The first was the French perfume house, Delettrez, with whom he had close contact and whose laboratories could be used to produce his perfumes and associated toilet goods. The second, and most important came from contacts he had made during his American tour. The Riker-Hegeman Drug Company was one of New York’s oldest and had a chain of ninety-three drug stores spread from New England to Pennsylvania.

Although the details of the arrangement are not known, it is clear that Riker-Hegeman management agreed to finance Vivaudou’s dream in return for exclusive distribution rights of any products as well as an appropriate (and probably large) share of any profits. We can also assume that any discussion about the name of the new perfume business that might eventuate was quickly resolved in favour of V Vivaudou Company, Incorporated.

Through some means, not explained, he was able to create two new perfume brands that he named Arly and Vivaudou and there is no doubt in my mind that Delettrez, also known as ‘Parfumerie du Monde Elégant’, had a major part to play in their establishment. It is no coincidence that the address given for Delettrez, Arly and Vivaudou was 15 Rue Royale, Paris. It is difficult to unravel the whole history here, but Delettrez was certainly affiliated and involved with Vivaudou. Vivaudou produced low to medium priced range presentations, while Delettrez produced luxury presentations.

Launched in 1939, Crescendo is an aldehydic feminine floral presented in this gorgeous art deco style flacon with the wonderful crescent shaped bouchon.

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Neroli, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Mimosa, Rose, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, and Lily of the Valley
Base notes are Sandalwood, Cedar, and Vanilla

Offered here is an extremely rare flacon of one of Delettrez' fabulous creations. Highly collectible .. still sealed with its baudruche or onion skin and ties .. No box.