Premier Mai by Houbigant: launched in 1908.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women with a dominant lily of the valley note.
- Top notes: citrus, lily of the valley
- Middle notes: rose, jasmine
- Base notes: ambergris, oakmoss, tonka bean, labdanum, patchouli, sandalwood, musk
Combat, 1954:
"It smells of the fresh young girl, sweet and sour, lively and laughing, but with wet eyes for a dream, this fine lily of the valley. Its spring scent defies the scorching dampness to cool the skin of women, as if projecting the shadow of the false twilight of the forest, with its green dome, its leafy smells and its inexhaustible springs. This May 1st prolongs all summer the hesitation of the light season, with no alternations of lukewarmness and rawness."
Combat, 1955:
"Premier Mai (extract and perfumed eau de cologne) of Houbigant - both are suitable for summer. Both smell of the fresh young girl, bittersweet, lively and laughing. This spring scent defies the heat wave, as if projecting, on the moist skin the false twilight of the forest, with its emerald dome, its wet leaves, its watercress beds and its springs."
Bottles:
Premier Mai was available in the following:
- 1/2 oz Extract (parfum)
- 1 oz Extract (parfum)
- 2 oz Extract (parfum)
- 4 oz Extract (parfum)
- 4 oz Toilet Water
- 8.25 oz Toilet Water
c1930s eau de cologne
c1908 Baccarat flacon, photo by Perfume Bottles Auction
1950s purse flacon
1930s flacon
1910s crystal flacon
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued, date unknown. It was still being sold into the 1950's.
This is a rich, deep, musky lily of the valley more complex than most.
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