Houbigant, Transparence, 15 ml. or 0.5 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1939, Paris, France ..

The illustrious perfume House Houbigant has been in business in some form or another since the late 1700's and is still in business today. There is so much that could be written about Houbigant that it would take a book to fully address all of the achievements of this amazing fragrance company. Houbigant’s two perfumers Paul Parquet and Robert Bienaimé revolutionized perfumery and their work would influence many generations that would follow. The important innovations that they brought to the world of perfumery include creating multi faceted fragrances, using synthetic materials to achieve complex scents and creating beautiful imagery to perfume packaging, flacons and advertising.

Houbigant hired the young chemist Robert Bienaimé when he was only in his early 20's. Under the tutelage of Paul Parquet, Bienaimé, became proficient in both the Art and the Science of perfumery. His first major success was Quelques Fleurs “a few flowers." Robert Bienaimé created Quelques Fleurs in 1912 and it is a benchmark fragrance in modern perfumery as it had a lightness and a brightness that had never been achieved previously. This fragrance is credited as being the first modern floral fragrance.

Transparence by Houbigant was launched in 1939, although its trademark record shows it was first used in 1931. It is classified as a light aldehydic floral fragrance for women, however, I have no published notes on this perfume. It was described as "bright" and youthful and sporty. Cleopatra's Boudoir

An ad from 1940 reads: "TRANSPARENCE by HOUBIGANT. The essence of femininity in a tender haunting fragrance so new and so lovely you'll love wearing it on every momentous occasion."

Drug & Cosmetic Industry, 1940: "Houbigant introduces its newest perfume, Transparence — a perfume that evidences unusual character and interest for even the most sophisticated. The beautifully shaped crystal flacon reposes in a white piqué-effect coffret."

Harper's Bazaar, 1956: "Transparence" .. a bright, clear, singing kind of scent, created by Houbigant."

While there are no notes on the Internet or in my books about this perfume, here is a review .. "A very rich, deep rosy chypre greets my nose, very plummy and dark. This is one to grace the furs of the 1940s. There is of course rose and jasmine in the mix, but it’s the base that stands out. Ambergris grounds this beautifully, and the amber is to die for. Tonka and vanilla soften it. A perfume for the likes of Garbo and Dietrich, warm, sensual and very feminine, although in today’s world, the right man could get away with this. Practically impossible to find and impossible to afford once you find it, it is still one to look out for if you are into great chypres of the early 20th century." Basenotes Review. Jack Twist

"Utterly and completely beautiful in every sense of the word. Deep, rich, luxurious, complex, sensuous, dirty, and inviting. This harkens back to a time of sable coats and classy hats. To be worn at the most exquisite upscale events of the time - of ANY time. The dirty and powdery amber of this is second to none." Basenotes Review. Distortech.

Based on these reviews, one could posit that the notes are something like this ..

Top notes are Citrus, Bergamot, Neroli, and Orange Blossom
Heart notes are Rose, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Carnation, and Ylang Ylang
Base notes are Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Ambergris, and Amber

Offered here is a very rare half ounce bottle of Transparence. I have only had one other one in my days of collecting which unfortunately broke .. and it smelled fabulous! Super desirable and collectible, opulent and sexy .. Houbigant lovers!!