The Newest Finds

California Baby Set
~1910-1912

I know I sound like a broken record, however I have to say it once again, "California Perfume Company treasures, some of the rarest pieces, are still being found today!! And this 1910-1912 Baby Set IS...and I strongly emphasis the word "IS"...among the rarest of CPC items to have ever been found! A huge Thank You goes to George Gaspar for the opportunity and privilege to photograph this rarity for all collectors to enjoy.

I need to set a foundation here before we delve into some heavy detective work in this article.

The California Perfume Company was NOT GOOD at keeping their earlier catalogs up to date with the newest pictures or illustrations of their products as containers (bottles, tins, and boxes) or labels changed. Thus is essential to remember as we research our treasure Baby Set above.

McConnell introduced baby products to the CPC inventory by 1895: California Baby Soap and California Baby Powder, confirmed by a 1895 Order Sheet. The California Baby Powder tin was first illustrated on page 33 of the 1898 For Beauty's Toilet Catalog while the California Baby Soap was first depicted on page 30 of the 1902 For Beauty, Health, and Home Catalog. McConnell used the same baby powder tin illustration in his catalogs up through 1906. The 1907 color CP Book catalog contained no picture of the baby powder tin; though interestingly, some of the 1907 depictions of the California Perfume Company products show container updates from earlier catalogs.

The tin pictured to the immediate left was the second version of the CPC's California Baby Powder sold between approximately 1907 and 1909. This particular tin was illustrated in the 1908 CP Book and 1909 CP Book.

Then, in 1910, a third version of the California Baby Powder tin was introduced.

This spectacular find represents only the second "known" Savoi et Cie, Paris product discovered thus far. The unopened sachet envelope measures 3 7/8 inches x 5 inches. The color of the envelope is a deep burgundy accented with gold lettering. There are no markings on the rear of the envelope. All of the envelope's original White Rose powder is still in the package. Pinning down a date for this sachet envelope is virtually impossible, but a descent guess-timate would be around 1900.

Savoi et Cie, Paris is of particular interest to the California Perfume Company(CPC) collector because of it's ties to David H. McConnell, the founder and president of the California Perfume Company, and more so to Adolph H. Goetting, the original owner of A. Goetting & Co. perfumes and, later, the Chemist-in-Chief at the California Perfume Company's Suffern Laboratory. So, for a quick historical overview, Goetting founded A. Goetting & Co. in approximately 1875, headquartered at 264 Spring St., New York City. His primary market was Drug Stores and other commercial establishments. In time, Goetting garnered an excellent reputation as a world-class perfumer and, in 1896, D. H. McConnell secured Goetting's services as the CPC's new Chemist-in-Chief by buying out A. Goetting & Co. lock, stock, and barrel.

How this all ties together is that Goetting apparently sold the Savoi et Cie, Paris products under the banner of A. Goetting & Co.—like this Savoi et Cie Florida Water (toilet water) to the immediate right dating from approximately the mid- to late-1890s. This unopened, mint condition Florida Water was discovered in the early-1980s...and 30+ years later, another extremely rare Savoi prize is finally discovered.

McConnell continued to sell Goetting products through at least 1918, however the name of the company was slightly changed to "Goetting & Co.," (see the Goetting Products page.) Under McConnell's management, the Goetting name (and products) spanned the breadth of the continental United States (see the San Francisco branch page). Of particular interest, McConnell apparently continued the sales of Savoi et Cie products as well, however, as noted at the bottom of the label on the Lavender Salts bottle to the immediate left, the LOCATION of Savoi et Cie changed to "New York" vice its original "Paris."

The last point to cover is the extraordinary similarities between the Savoi et Cie, Paris Sachet Envelope with that of the CPC's White Rose Sachet Powder box to the right (sachet envelope was not available for photograph) and the Savoi et Cie, New York Lavender Salts bottle to the left with other CPC Lavender Salts bottles of the period. Owing to D. H. McConnell's shrewd business practice of utilizing generic containers (thus saving money) and putting his capital into quality products and visually appealing labels, it becomes easy to see the "cross-pollination"—yes, that's a good word for it—of the later Goetting and Savoi perfumes and toiletries with the California Perfume Company products of the same time frame.

The Savoi et Cie, Paris and the Savoi et Cie, New York are rare as hen's teeth. Please, if you have, or know of, any of these items in someone's collection, I would greatly appreciate a head's up. Thank you!!!

If you have ANY comments or additional information, please contact me at george (at) californiaperfumecompany.com.

Happy hunting! 

Unopened Package of White Rose Sachet Powder from Savoi et Cie, Paris
~1900

A real quick ditty to begin the 2014 New Year!

Savoi et Cie, Paris Florida Water Mid- to Late-1890s

This spectacular find represents only the second "known" Savoi et Cie, Paris product discovered thus far. The unopened sachet envelope measures 3 7/8 inches x 5 inches. The color of the envelope is a deep burgundy accented with gold lettering. There are no markings on the rear of the envelope. All of the envelope's original White Rose powder is still in the package. Pinning down a date for this sachet envelope is virtually impossible, but a descent guess-timate would be around 1900.

Savoi et Cie, Paris is of particular interest to the California Perfume Company(CPC) collector because of it's ties to David H. McConnell, the founder and president of the California Perfume Company, and more so to Adolph H. Goetting, the original owner of A. Goetting & Co. perfumes and, later, the Chemist-in-Chief at the California Perfume Company's Suffern Laboratory. So, for a quick historical overview, Goetting founded A. Goetting & Co. in approximately 1875, headquartered at 264 Spring St., New York City. His primary market was Drug Stores and other commercial establishments. In time, Goetting garnered an excellent reputation as a world-class perfumer and, in 1896, D. H. McConnell secured Goetting's services as the CPC's new Chemist-in-Chief by buying out A. Goetting & Co. lock, stock, and barrel.

Savoi et Cie, New York Lavender Salts ~1905

How this all ties together is that Goetting apparently sold the Savoi et Cie, Paris products under the banner of A. Goetting & Co.—like this Savoi et Cie Florida Water (toilet water) to the immediate right dating from approximately the mid- to late-1890s. This unopened, mint condition Florida Water was discovered in the early-1980s...and 30+ years later, another extremely rare Savoi prize is finally discovered.

McConnell continued to sell Goetting products through at least 1918, however the name of the company was slightly changed to "Goetting & Co.," (see the Goetting Products page.) Under McConnell's management, the Goetting name (and products) spanned the breadth of the continental United States (see the San Francisco branch page). Of particular interest, McConnell apparently continued the sales of Savoi et Cie products as well, however, as noted at the bottom of the label on the Lavender Salts bottle to the immediate left, the LOCATION of Savoi et Cie changed to "New York" vice its original "Paris."

The last point to cover is the extraordinary similarities between the Savoi et Cie, Paris Sachet Envelope with that of the CPC's White Rose Sachet Powder box to the right (sachet envelope was not available for photograph) and the Savoi et Cie, New York Lavender Salts bottle to the left with other CPC Lavender Salts bottles of the period. Owing to D. H. McConnell's shrewd business practice of utilizing generic containers (thus saving money) and putting his capital into quality products and visually appealing labels, it becomes easy to see the "cross-pollination"—yes, that's a good word for it—of the later Goetting and Savoi perfumes and toiletries with the California Perfume Company products of the same time frame.

The Savoi et Cie, Paris and the Savoi et Cie, New York are rare as hen's teeth. Please, if you have, or know of, any of these items in someone's collection, I would greatly appreciate a head's up. Thank you!!!

If you have ANY comments or additional information, please contact me at george (at) californiaperfumecompany.com.

Happy hunting! 

My family and I were attending a big ole' fellowship day after church last Sunday (29 September, 2013) when, while I was having lunch, I received an e-mail from my dear friend, Ms. Marie Barron of Toronto, Canada. Marie informed me that she was in the process of purchasing an older tooth powder along with a few other CPC items. In that e-mail was a picture of the tooth powder she was going to purchase. Well...can you say, "SHOCKED?? STUNNED?? and INCREDIBLY AMAZED??" As soon as I read that e-mail and saw that picture, I rushed to call Marie.

THANK YOU Marie for sharing this super rare CPC treasure!

As early as 1893, the California Perfume Company began catering to the dental needs of many customers by selling tubes of tooth paste as noted on the earliest General Agent's business card discovered thus far and on the price list of the earliest wooden sales case. Product order forms from approximately 1895-1897 and catalogs beginning in 1896 reveal that tubes of tooth paste were quickly dropped from the sales inventory. Alternately, the California Tooth Tablet was added to the line up in approximately 1894 to 1895. And in 1899, the company expanded its dental products to also include the California Tooth Wash. (Please see the Dental Products pages for more information.)

Relatively speaking then, the California Medicated Tooth Powder was somewhat of a "late-comer," initially marketed in the 1903 For Beauty, Health, and Home catalog. (See bottom of page 51.)

Following is the product write-up included in the 1903 catalog:

While our Tooth Tablet, and Tooth Wash serve well their purpose, the teeth require frequently a more scouring treatment to better keep off discoloration; again, many people are in the habit of using a Tooth Powder, to those we recommend this powder. California Tooth Powder will not in any way injure the teeth but delightfully perfume the breath, clean the teeth, and at the same time make the gums healthy. Put up in a neat Opal Jar with Sprinkler Top.

The rarity of this treasure cannot be overemphasized! This represents the ONLY known example of a 1903-1908 California Medicated Tooth Powder found to date. And the real jubilation comes from the fact that... FINALLY...the CPC and early-Avon collectors have a genuine picture of this tooth powder jar. The fact is, the California Perfume Company never depicted/illustrated the Medicated Tooth Powder in any of its catalogs, brochures, representative's materials, advertisements, etc. from 1903 to 1907. Then, on page 45 of the 1908 CP Book catalog, the illustration to the immediate right was printed. The important thing to focus on in this depiction/illustration to the right is the CP trademark—  supposedly used by the company from 1907 to 1910. Very few instances of this trademark were ever found on any CPC items (e.g., the 1909 Calendar and some official correspondence.) From all indications, the Eureka Trademark remained in predominant use throughout 1907 to 1910, after which the CPC Chain Logo was noted on labels and packages. The point: the illustration to the right may actually be an INCORRECT illustration of the actual California Medicated Tooth Powder. Again, the phenomenal discovery of this rare CPC treasure affords the collecting community a first glimpse at a real, bona fide California Medicated Tooth Powder jar...the first ever!!!

And the last point is a "foot stomp!" Stomp, Stomp, Stomp!

California Perfume Company treasures ARE STILL being found today. As mentioned before, a seasoned collector once told me, "ALL the CPCs that could be found have been found." That conversation took place years and years ago...and hundreds of CPCs have surfaced since that time...a lot of those CPCs actually turned out to be the rarest of the rare, just like this California Medicated Tooth Powder jar.

Keep your head up and keep the collecting faith! Much more is STILL out there waiting to found!

Thanks again Marie!!!

If you have ANY comments or additional information, please contact me at george (at) californiaperfumecompany.com.

Happy hunting!

Right from the start, let me say a big "Thank You!" to George Gaspar for submitting this excellent "new Find!"

According to Wikipedia, a Trademark (and I loosely include Logo into this definition as well), "is a recognizable sign, design or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source from those of others. The trademark owner can be an individual, business organization, or any legal entity. A trademark may be located on a package, a label, a voucher or on the product itself."

That's a pretty good definition for our purposes and speaks to the heart of D. H. McConnell Sr.'s use of trademarks and logos throughout his tenure as the president of the California Perfume Company.

For a quick historical overview, the California Perfume Company's first trademark was known as the Eureka trademark (see left). The Eureka trademark began appearing on catalogs, merchandise, and packaging in very late-1897 to early-1898. Compared to succeeding trademarks used by the company over the next 41 years (see the Trademarks and Logos section), the Eureka was very ornate: filled with imagery and fancy detailing. As can be seen in the illustration to the left, the trademark itself depicts elements of discovery and "new lands": two ships in a harbor, the radiant sun rising over the sea, a cornucopia, and a woman in apparent working attire. In my opinion, the Eureka trademark was probably meant to underscore the company's perceived "connection" with California (remembering that the name "California" Perfume Company was meant to provide, "the allusion to far away Californian fields, filled with beautiful flowers.")

Another interesting fact is that the word, "eureka," itself translates from the Greek as, "I have found it!"...an appropriate statement as McConnell redirected the Union Publishing House book business into the hugely successful manufacturer of perfumes, toiletries, and households goods: the California Perfume Company.

Beginning in 1906, a more simplified company trademark/logo began appearing on products and boxes: the letters "C P," the abbreviation for "California Perfume," along with the slogan, "The Sign of Quality." This CP trademark/logo introduction appears to have coincided with McConnell's launch of his first nation-wide advertising effort in the March, 1906 Good Housekeeping magazine. In each advertisement appearing in the March to December 1906 issues, the letter "C" and "P" were prominently displayed.

The CP trademark/logo was used until 1910 when it was superseded with the "C P C" trademark/logo; clearly a full abbreviation for "California Perfume Company." The famous "C P C" trademark and logo variants were proudly displayed on products and boxes through approximately 1931—after which all of the company's wares bore the Avon trademarks.

Now to this UNIQUE find!!!

This "C P C" trademark/logo with it's "The Sign Of Quality" slogan (shown to the left) is the ONLY example of this trademark/logo variant discovered thus far!

The difference between this variant and all the other CPC trademarks/logos is the shield shape (the outer solid line). The shield shape looks somewhat similar to a  wooden plaque on which a trophy is mounted. The shield shape also brings to mind a "welcoming" store sign that would hang above a merchandiser's front entrance. I am sure every one of us could visualize different possibilities...

The other distinctive difference is the use of a dotted line that appears to further accentuate the shield edge/border. This is the only California Perfume trademark/logo that used dotted lines in its rendering.

Though it is highly unlikely we'll ever find out what motivated the company to create/use this trademark/logo, its uniqueness definitely qualifies it for a place amongst our New Finds!

Again, thanks to George Gaspar for this great New Find!

Please, if you see any other examples of this trademark/logo or you find another unique CP or CPC trademark/logo, please contact me at george (at) californiaperfumecompany.com.

Happy hunting!

Natoma Rose Gift Box F
~1914-1915

Box N, Natoma Rose Special ~1914

The 1915 edition of the CPC Book was the California Perfume Company's last of the small catalogs preceding the release of its larger Color Plate catalogs. This last CPC Book edition was published sometime in September to November, 1914. A "New Floral Essence," called Natoma Rose, was announced on page ten of this 1915 CPC Book. Along with a generous write-up extolling the new fragrance, the black and white illustration seen to the immediate left topped the article. The write-up explained that the perfume was, "[p]ut up in a beautiful box, a deep green forming the base of the color scheme; Natoma head in natural colors with red and gold headdress; gold and black lettering and gold border and tracings, all richly embossed." Three container sizes were offered: a one ounce bottle, a two ounce bottle, and the Special (half-ounce). The "Special" referred to the Box N as illustrated. For historical reference, the January 1914 CPC Outlook magazine dedicated an entire page to announce The New Floral Essence...using EXACTLY the same verbiage as found in the 1915 CPC Book. The difference, however, was that only the one and the two ounce bottles were available for retail sale...and an atomizer version was available for demonstration purposes. Important Point: the Box N would then have been a mid-year 1915 introduction to the Natoma Rose product line-up.

Gift Box N Bottle ~1915

All of the Color Plate catalogs picturing the Gift Box N, beginning with the 1915 edition, used the SAME illustration—see above right for an example of the actual bottle, with correct glass stopper and label style, illustrated in the 1915 through 1920 Color Plate catalogs.

Ok, now that the background information is finished, let's get into the interesting stuff!

This Natoma Rose Box N bottle seen at the top of this article is WAY different from any other discovered to date! It represents quite an oddity! Just a note though, if there is ANYTHING that I have learned while collecting CPC's, it's to "expect the unexpected"! I see more and more that McConnell had no problem mixing and miss-match bottles and labels in order to keep the production flowing and the customer amply supplied with his superior CPC goods. So then, the only question is "what is the approximate date of the piece?"

The two distinctive elements of the bottle are clearly the neck label and the round C P Co. label on the front of the bottle. The neck label is VERY important because the 1915 CPC Book is the ONLY document illustrating the Box N bottle possessing a neck label with "Natoma Rose" in that style of block lettering. The Color Plate catalogs depicted Gift Box N bottles as having neck labels as seen on the bottle located above right. Apparently the block lettering neck label was quickly superseded and probably had a production run from mid-1914 (-ish) to mid-1915 (-ish).

As for the round C P Co. label on the front of the bottle, that label was in use from approximately 1911 (see Daphne Gift Box F article below) through approximately 1922.

Leaving room for my earlier comment, ""expect the unexpected," a reasonable deduction for the existence of this variant is simply that popularity for the Box N exceeded expectations—Natoma Rose was a very popular fragrance for approximately 10 years—when introduced and there may not have been enough Natoma labels printed for the available bottles, therefore the round C P Co. (generic) labels were used as a short-term replacement.

There is one nagging factor though: the use of a clover leaf vice arrowhead glass stopper. Admittedly, that does present a mild dilemma. As noted in the Natoma Rose page in the Box N section, three different stopper variants were used over the production run of the Box N. Please note that the arrowhead stopper was found on a Box N bottle dating to the early-1920's. Apparently, the three stoppers were possibly used simultaneously over the production run. I really am not sure about this point... Ideas?

All is all, this is a VERY welcome addition to any CPC collection...an oddity, but more importantly, a Natoma Rose!

If you have ANY comments or additional information, please contact me at george (at) californiaperfumecompany.com.

Happy hunting!