Prices of Chanel No. 5 in the 1940s

In the 1940's many stores offered perfumes in dram sizes, i was much more affordable to those going through wartime. But the regular size bottles were still sold, however, there were shortages of the fragrances being exported to the USA. Some stores also had sales on the perfumes from time to time.

Cristalle by Chanel c1974

Eau de Toilette Cristalle was created in 1974, created by Henri Robert as a toilet water for young girls. It was introduced to the United States in 1977.

Fake Chanel No. 5 Perfume on Ebay!

Heads Up! Here is a vintage Chanel No.5 fake perfume on ebay. This is what I term the "classic fake" style perfume that was made during the 1950s-1970s. It is the usual wrong and fake bottle with the sloping shoulders and the flat stopper. The label and boxes have the wrong font and sloppy printing.

See the info here on how to Prevent Buying a Fake.

Click Here to see the Fake Chanel Auction

Another FAKE Chanel on Ebay

This seller claims that it is "genuine" and says that "there is a lot of misinformation on the web."...

...well I hate to break it to them but this is a classic fake Chanel perfume. The bottle is marked "HP" "Bottle Made in France." It should be marked "Chanel" "Made in France" in the glass. The bottle is also the wrong shape - as you can see it has sloping shoulders, when it should be straight across. The stopper does not have all the faceting that the original bottles have.

The label is fake, and does not use the genuine Chanel font.  The box is cheap and not the same thick cardstock that Chanel used.

Click here to see the auction

Marilyn Monroe's Chanel Cologne Bottle

You've all seen that famous photo of Marilyn Monroe and that bottle of Chanel perfume, but were unsure of what the bottle actually looks like? Well it is Chanel No. 5 Eau de Cologne in the ovoid bottle, not the square bottle.

Vintage 1920s Fake Chanel Perfume Bottle

Vintage 1920s perfume bottle with a beautiful frosted glass stopper molded with an image of moths. The bottle appears to be a copy of a Rene Lalique bottle used for Coty perfumes in the 1920s-1930s. I can tell that it is not an actual Lalique made piece as the stopper is not as finely molded as a genuine example and the sides of the stopper lack the extra details found on the originals. This may have been a bottle made by Coty's own glassworks for one of their perfumes.

The bottle has a fake Chanel paper label affixed to the front. Please note that Chanel NEVER used these type of bottles or the style of paper label shown.

Click here to see the auction

FAKE Chanel Perfume on Ebay

here's some fake Chanel perfumes on ebay....buyer beware!

Click here to see the auction

Click here to see the auction

Vintage 1970s-1980s Fake Chanel No. 5 Perfume Bottle

Vintage 1970s-1980s FAKE Chanel Perfume Spray

Here is a heads up on a vintage fake Chanel perfume spray being sold on ebay, apparently it seems the seller does not know it is a fake. Chanel NEVER sold perfume in this bottle. The bottle is horizontally ribbed and features a black plastic cap with gold lettering and a leaf border along the bottom.

Chanel No. 19 c1970

Chanel No. 19 by Chanel: launched in 1970. Created by Henri Robert. In USA in 1972. Chairman of the board of Chanel, Inc, at the time, H. Gregory Thomas (who also served as president of the company for 32 years),  said that his good friend, Mademoiselle Chanel wanted a perfume all her own. It had to be something very different from Chanel No. 5, and she commissioned her top perfumers to work on the new concoction. 

A confidante of Chanel's is said to have told her: "Why not bottle that indomitable, creative, magnificent spirit of yours? Make it your own personal signature. There must be a fragrance that captures the very essence of Coco Chanel. There are many, many ways I would describe what is uniquely you. But I shall choose perhaps 19 of the most obvious. This perfume must do justice to each. You will always be young no matter what age you reach. And truly elegant in your manner and lifestyle. Intensely female. Graceful. Casually understated. Contemporary. Brilliant. Witty. Fascinating. Generous. Honest. Courageous. Outspoken. Supremely confident and completely independent as few women are or ever hope to be. You are logical. A perfectionist. Unforgettable. And way ahead fo your time and the rest of us as well."

According to the story, Chanel was both delighted and amused by it. And having been born on Aug 19, she found the temptation to name the new fragrance No. 19 too great to resist. This was Coco Chanel's private perfume which she used for the three years preceding her death. Her own private stock, she occasionally gave some to special friends or select couture customers of the 31 rue Cambon salon. But mainly, she kept it to herself, "So that," said Chanel, "when I leave the room a touch of me remains."

Thomas promised her that the fragrance would not be marketed until her death. "She felt that she didn't want it sold as long as she was alive," said Thomas. The unnamed perfume's formula was found among her personal papers. The perfume came to be named Chanel No. 19, after Coco Chanel's birthday, August 19. "She was born on Aug 19," said Thomas, "I know the real year of her birth, but I'm not telling." (It was revealed it was officially in 1883).

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel c2001

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel: launched in 2001. Created by Jacques Polge.

Factices and Dummy Display Perfume Bottles

In this guide I will introduce you to the world of perfume display bottles, also called Factices (pronounced fack-teece), and dummy bottles in the perfume trade.

Coco by Chanel c1984

Coco by Chanel: launched in 1984. The nose behind this fragrance is Jacques Polge.

Rose de Chanel c1926

"Rose de Chanel," introduced in 1926, stands as a timeless emblem of elegance and sophistication within the world of perfumery. Crafted by the renowned Ernest Beaux, this fragrance encapsulates the timeless allure of the rose, celebrated for its delicate beauty and intoxicating aroma. With its launch, Chanel introduced a scent that transcended fleeting trends, embodying the epitome of classic femininity and refined glamour. Today, "Rose de Chanel" remains a cherished treasure, revered for its timeless appeal and enduring legacy.

Une Idée de Chanel c1929

"Une Idée," the iconic perfume from Chanel, made its debut in 1929, marking a significant milestone in the history of fragrance. This olfactory masterpiece was not merely a scent but a manifestation of Gabrielle Chanel's visionary spirit and avant-garde approach to beauty. With its launch, Chanel revolutionized the world of perfumery, introducing a fragrance that transcended traditional gender norms and embraced a sense of modernity and freedom. "Une Idée" embodied the essence of the Chanel woman: confident, independent, and effortlessly chic. Its evocative blend of notes captured the zeitgeist of the Roaring Twenties, a period characterized by innovation, prosperity, and social change. Though decades have passed since its inception, the legacy of "Une Idée" endures, a timeless symbol of elegance and sophistication that continues to inspire and captivate fragrance enthusiasts around the globe.

Vintage 1950s Chanel Perfume Lucite Tester Rack

Vintage 1950s lucite tester rack, holding mini perfume bottles.

Misia by Chanel c2015

Misia by Chanel: will be launched in March 2015. Created by Jacques Polge's son,  Olivier Polge, as part of the Les Exclusifs de Chanel Collection of fragrances.

The feminine fragrance's beautiful name derives from one of Coco Chanel's dearest friends, Misia Sert. Sert was a talented pianist, artist, saloon owner as well as the favorite enigmatic muse of many famous artists such as Renoir. But it was Misia Sert who first planted the inventive seed of perfume genius inside of Coco's curious head.

 Sert received a manuscript from a friend entitled, The Secret of the Medicis" that was found during renovations in a chateau in the Loire region, which allegedly contained the formula for an anti-aging potion created by Rene the Florentine, Queen Catherine de Medici's perfume chemist and master poisoner. Both Catherine de Medici and her beautiful rival in the affections of her royal husband, Henri II, Diane de Poitiers applied this unusual cologne to their faces to escape the ravages of time. Sert had an idea, she promised to give the owner of the ancient manuscript 6,000 francs if she could have the recipe.

She then went immediately to Coco Chanel and told her of the formula, in which she encouraged Chanel to launch her own form of the beauty tonic to be christened l'Eau Chanel. Sert thought that the cologne would be a smashing hit given Chanel's popularity around the world, and bringing in much more than the 6,000 francs she had promised the manuscript owner. The two women carefully conspired over the packaging and details of the fragrance and thus the beginnings of what would become Chanel No. 5. are, as they say...history.

As a scented tribute to the clever Misia, the house of Chanel is launching the fragrance with her name, alongside her friend, Chanel.

So what does Misia smell like? It is classified as a powdery floral chypre fragrance for women.

• Top notes: violet, and iris
• Middle notes: Turkish rose, and Grasse rose
• Base notes: Laotian benzoin, tonka beans, and orris root

Available in the following

• 75 ml Eau de Toilette
• 200 ml Eau de Toilette

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Vintage 1950s Chanel Perfume Tester Rack

Tester rack made up of black bakelite.

Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere c2007

Chanel N°5 Eau Premiere: launched in 2007. Created by Jacques Polge.

Magnolia de Chanel c1927

Chanel's Magnolia fragrance, introduced in 1927, stands as a timeless testament to the brand's enduring commitment to elegance and sophistication. With its delicate yet captivating scent, Magnolia embodies the essence of feminine allure and timeless beauty. Though specific details regarding its composition may vary, one can imagine a fragrance that captures the ethereal essence of magnolia blossoms, evoking images of blooming gardens and romantic springtime evenings. Just like many of Chanel's creations, Magnolia likely exudes a sense of refinement and understated luxury, making it a cherished addition to the brand's illustrious fragrance repertoire.