Vintage Perfumes: Classic Fragrances from the 19th and 20th Centuries

I ended up purging & donating this book, which is extremely unusual for me—have over 1500 in my home. It’s just not that interesting or well written compared with those by Susan Irvine, Chandler Burr, or best of all, science & fragrance genius Luca Turin. Purchase one of theirs instead—-there’s more thought & experience in them by far.

The vintage fragrances selected for Jan's book are fragrances that are still in production today. She provides the background on why changes to formulas were made over the years and some history as well. I would have liked to have had similar information for discontinued vintage fragrances, since this information is increasingly more difficult to find. This paperback is primarily all text, without the luxury of color photos to drool over.

Good, as far as it goes. Some little-known insider knowledge of past, beloved fragrances, written in chatty, slumber-party style.For more depth, history, elegance, and encyclopedic cross-cultural references, read Luca Turin.

Inspiring, for a perfumer like myself! Though I'll bet anyone who loves fragrance will get a lot out of it.

really enjo this item!! Thanks

Lovely book, describes many perfumes. Excellent if you formulate your own scents, gives you an idea of what combinations to try. If you love perfumes, gives classifications so that if you like a specific scent, you can look for other similar scents to search out and try. Well written, pleasant to read. Recommended.

Not all that much information

I received this Non Fiction book on Classic Fragrances for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5* rating and found some of my own favorites in this listing from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Some show dates of when they were introduced. Also there are various bits of info like on one of my favorites, about updates to the original fragrance. I shall keep this on hand to check on others. I have really enjoyed this.

Good descriptions of the vintage perfumes and invaluable information regarding changes to formulas over the years.

Nothing ground breaking or insightful that couldn’t have been found on multiple fragrance websites (Basenotes,, Bois de Jasmin, or even Fragrantica). A thin collection of fragrance mementos. Buy the Luca Turin/Sanchez Perfume books instead.