La Joie d'Elizabeth by Elizabeth Arden c1928

La Joie d'Elizabeth by Elizabeth Arden: launched in 1928.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a light, elusive and feminine floral fragrance for women.  .

• Top notes: aldehydes, citrus
• Middle notes: jasmine, lily of the valley, rose
• Base notes: ambergris, oakmoss, sandalwood

Good Housekeeping, 1928:

"LA JOIE D'ELIZABETH, a new vivacious perfume, with a subtle blend of enticing fragrances. In a smart cubical bottle and French gray suede container. $22."

 

Home Journal, 1929:

"La Joie d'Elizabeth - Le Reve d'Elizabeth - Mon Amie Elizabeth - L'Amour d'Elizabeth These four perfumes — creations of Elizabeth Arden — are being introduced in Elizabeth Arden Salons throughout the world."

The Amarillo Globe Times, 1929:

"La Joie d'Elizabeth - an irresistible bouquet odor - the fragrance of youth - modern youth, with all of its gaiety and happy laughter, is at the same time perfectly poised and unbelievably wise."

The Chicagoan, 1931:

" ELIZABETH ARDEN'S FAMOUS FIVE FRAGRANCES... L' Amour, Le Reve, Mon Amie, La Joie and L'Elan... express the emotions in perfumes that are incomparably delightful. In many sizes, priced from $15 to $125. The twin box contains a combination of any two of the Five Fragrances. $6."

Harper's Bazaar, 1933:

"Elizabeth Ardens' La Joie, Le Reve, L'Amour, L'Elan, Tuberose and Moon Moss, atomizer included, $7.50 to $125."

Vassar Miscellany News, 1934:

"LUCKEY'S PERFUME BAR ATTRACTS Many each day to its distinctive display of Elizabeth Arden Perfumes. We have these choice preparations: Le Reve D'Elizabeth —an elusive odor of dream-like charm: perfect for furs. La Joie D'Elizabeth —Happiness captured in fragrance L'Elan D'Elizabeth —Rich, warm and irresistible. Tuberose —The true odor of the flower itself. These fragrances are reserved for those who are sensitive to perfection in perfumes. They are priced at $1.00 a dram."

DC & I, 1935:

"ELIZABETH ARDEN brings out her charming "Perfume Trio" set, — one dram size bottles of three of her delightful perfumes, Blue Grass, L'Amour d'Elizabeth, and La Joie d'Elizabeth, all packed in a lovely white and silver box. These dram size bottles are priced at $1 each.."

Bottles:

c1929 ad

The largest size of the parfum was a 32 ounce bottle which retailed for $125 in 1930.

La Joie d'Elizabeth, photo by Baron de Meyer.

This is an exquisite Elizabeth Arden La Joie Vintage Perfume Bottle with original box. The delicate pink flower-shaped stopper is wired on to the neck of the bottle. The opalescent bottle rests in the pink fabric-lined box which is stamped on the back "Box made in France."

 The bottom of the bottle has a gold metallic sticker which reads "La Joie, Distributor, Contents 1/4 fl. oz." The box has yellow cellophane fringe on the top and bottom. 

The silver sticker reads "La Joie, Elizabeth Arden, New York, Distributor, Contents 1/4 fl. oz."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Both the perfume and its crystal cube bottles were produced in France for Elizabeth Arden, but were discontinued starting around 1940 due to the start of the second world war. Wartime importation difficulties in getting necessary ingredients and bottles from France prohibited the Arden company from continuing production of the fragrance. From newspaper ads, I see that some left over bottles were still being sold as late as 1944, but at drastically reduced prices to clear out the old stock. The perfume was never again produced after the war ended, and this causes it to be one of the most elusive of Arden's discontinued fragrances to be found today.