Le Reve d'Elizabeth by Elizabeth Arden c1927

Le Reve d'Elizabeth by Elizabeth Arden: launched in 1927. This perfume was one of four other signature scents launched that year (La Joie d'Elizabeth, Le Jardin d'Elizabeth, L'Amour d'Elizabeth, L'Etoile d'Elizabeth) and only sold in the Elizabeth Arden salons throughout the world.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a heavy, spicy oriental fragrance for women. It was described as a warm, winter scent, good for furs.

• Top notes: bergamot, carnation
• Middle notes: rose, jasmine, gardenia
• Base notes: vanilla, sandalwood, musk, ambergris, oakmoss, tonka bean

Ladies Home Journal, 1927:

"Mon Amie Elizabeth- the perfect gift of a friend to a friend. L’Amour d’Elizabeth - the glory of love in fragrance. Le Reve d’Elizabeth - the perfume of dreams. La Joie d’Elizabeth - the joyous ardor of love."

 

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:

"Le Reve d'Elizabeth -  a perfume of quiet breeding and distinction - which may be used with particular success on furs. "

 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."

 

Bottles:

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

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.