Violet or Veolay, Ambre Royal, 'Royal Amber', 90 ml. or 3 oz. Flacon, Eau de Cologne, 1897, 1939, Paris, France ..

Parfumerie Violet was one of the lesser-known French perfume houses, even though it was among the earliest established in France and among the first to establish an agency in America. While not as old as Lubin, Houbigant or L T Piver and some others, the Parfumerie Violet name first appeared in 1828 although some suggest an even earlier beginning in around 1810, when it was known as 'La Reine des Abeilles' .. The Queen Bee of Perfumers. In fact, a Queen Bee seal would become a characteristic and immediately recognizable symbol of the company from the time of its establishment until its eventual decline.

The event that was probably most responsible for Parfumerie Violet perfumes being introduced to America was the 1900 Paris Exposition. There, despite fierce competition from houses such as Houbigant, Bourjois and many others, as well as a rather presumptuous American company named Richard Hudnut, Parfumerie Violet was awarded the Grand Prix for its fragrance Ambre Royale. As notable an achievement as this was, collectors will find that Violet’s advertising ephemera is equally notable. After some time of selling perfumes in both France and America, the company decided to change the name to Veolay to avoid confusion with violet perfume.

Originally launched in 1897, this particular flacon is likely from the 1930's. Amber based perfumes were marketed to both men and women at the time, although I would suggest that this is primarily a men's cologne. It is stunning, enervating, vibrant and alive. I am unable to find any notes on this wonderful old cologne, but I will suggest that they are something like this ..

Top notes are Bergamot, Orange Blossom, and Neroli
Heart notes are Heliotrope, Jasmine, Incense, Labdanum, Olibanum, Opoponax, and Orris
Base notes are Ambergris, Amber, Patchouli, and Vanilla