Elizabeth Arden Pin Cushion Perfume Presentations

 Elizabeth Arden's "Perfume Pins" presentations, offered from the late 1930s through the 1950s, embodied a unique blend of charm, nostalgia, and ingenuity. These delightful creations were inspired by the Victorian tradition of decorative hat pins and transformed a practical object into a whimsical perfume accessory. The concept was as captivating as the fragrances themselves, making these presentations coveted treasures among collectors and perfume lovers.

The central feature of these presentations was the pin cushion, which varied in shape, color, and design across different years. One year, the cushion might take the form of a delicate heart, evoking romance, while another year, it might resemble a charming hat, paying homage to vintage fashion. The fabric coverings also changed with the seasons, sometimes in soft pinks or powdery blues, adding to their appeal as decorative objects.

The ingenuity lay in the integration of perfume into the pins. Tiny stoppered bottles, cleverly affixed to the end of a pin, simulated the look of a classic hat pin while containing a small amount of perfume. These miniature bottles were designed with precision, often featuring delicate glasswork that complemented the overall aesthetic. In other versions of the presentation, real, functional pins accompanied the cushion, alongside a small attached bottle of perfume, enhancing the utility and allure of the set.

These "Perfume Pins" were both practical and nostalgic, evoking the elegance of a bygone era while providing a modern twist. They served as a nod to the craftsmanship and charm of antique vanity items, seamlessly blending functionality with beauty. Women of the time would have found them not only delightful to display on a dressing table but also practical for carrying a touch of fragrance in an unexpected, stylish way.

The rarity of these presentations today reflects their ephemeral nature. The tiny perfume bottles were often used, and the pins themselves were easily separated from their cushions, making complete sets challenging to find. This transience adds to their mystique, making surviving examples a testament to Elizabeth Arden's innovative approach to blending design and scent during the mid-20th century.

1940 Elizabeth Arden "Hatpin" perfume presentation, a miniature bust of felt and other hat trims, with glass perfume bottle hatpin. Ribbon label Elizabeth Arden. 6 1/2 in. 

Photos by Perfume Bottles Auction (close up showing tiny hat pin perfume bottle) 

Price realized: $700 in 2010.

Tide of Advertising and Marketing, 1939:

"Take Elizabeth Arden...She's got a new "Perfume Pincushion", a flower and lace trimmed pale blue rayon satin sacheted pincushion that cries for a Victorian hat. In it are thrust pink, yellow, blue and mauve stoppered glass hatpins. Fasten your veil with one, stick one in your lapel, or pin your corsage with it."

1930s Elizabeth Arden “Perfume Pin-Ups” Blue Grass perfume bottle, clear glass, plastic screw-cap, label, box with sachet cushion and three hatpins. Bottle 2 in. Photos by Perfume Bottles Auction.

Price realized: $100 in 2012. Described in the original ad below.

The New Yorker, 1939:

"Elizabeth Arden, always highly imaginative where lovely femininity is concerned (pink is no discovery to her), offers Easter presents that are the height of delicate froufrou. A notable one is a blue satin-covered old-fashioned pincushion with four pins stuck in it."

Stage, 1939:

"Elizabeth Arden's little gadgets are always amusing and charming. Now it's four perfume pins on a blue satin, moss- fringed pin-cushion."

Dance, 1940:

"Elizabeth Arden has put four of her perfume pins around a rosette of posies in an old-fashioned pincushion made gay and young with a cerise satin top and an edge of starched frills. The perfume pins are glass bubbles of perfume."

Cue, 1950:

"There are, too, several beguiling perfume novelties: An artful red velvet, heart shaped pin cushion from Elizabeth Arden, with four pearl stickpins holding in place a bottle of "My Love." $6.50"