Classic Car-Shaped Cologne Bottles: A Nostalgic Scent Journey

The California Perfume Company, now known as Avon, began selling perfumes door-to-door in 1892. In 1965, the company began promoting the sale of figural bottles, which were produced in a wide variety of shapes, including cars. These bottles were typically made of glass and contained either women's perfume or men's cologne or aftershave. The car bottles were made in various colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, and light golden amber. They were sold in large quantities and can now be found at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.

Etsy has a wide range of old car cologne bottles from the 1960s and 1970s

Some of the car-shaped bottles you can find on Etsy include the Avon Straight 8 Race Car Cologne Bottle, the Vintage Avon Touring "T" Car, the Avon Chevrolet 55', the Avon Red Car Cologne Bottle, the Avon Maxwell '23 Car Shaped Glass Bottle, and the Avon Black Glass Sports Car Cologne Bottle.

In addition to cars, other popular shapes of Avon figural bottles include figures of people and animals, books, clocks, shoes, guns, bells, and musical instruments. Most of the bottles held women's perfume or men's cologne or aftershave, while some contained bath oils, lotions, or other cosmetic products.

When collecting Avon figural bottles, it is important to consider the condition of the bottle, the presence of the original box, and the legibility of the original content sticker. These factors can significantly impact the value of the bottle to collectors.

Avon's California Perfume Company began selling perfumes in 1892

The origins of Avon, the cosmetics, perfume, and skincare company, date back to 1886 when David H. McConnell, a book salesman, began giving away small vials of perfume to customers to increase interest in his books. However, interest in the perfumes soon outpaced that of his books, and McConnell began manufacturing and selling perfumes under the firm name California Perfume Company in 1892.

McConnell's business partner, who had moved to California, suggested the name because of the abundance of flowers in California. McConnell hired women, including many housewives, to sell his perfumes door-to-door, and sales rapidly increased. By 1894, the company was utilising all six floors of its building at 126 Chambers Street in New York City. In 1897, they built a laboratory in Suffern, New York.

In 1909, the corporate office moved to 31 Park Place, New York, and in 1916, the company was incorporated in the state of New York, with McConnell, Henderson, and William Scheele listed as company officials. In 1928, the company introduced the Avon line of products, including a toothbrush, men's talcum powder, a gift atomizer, and a vanity set. In 1939, the California Perfume Company changed its name to Avon.

Avon's car cologne bottles were produced in a variety of colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, and yellow

Avons car cologne bottles were produced in a variety of colours, including sapphire blue, emerald green, and yellow. The bottles were designed to look like cars, with the name 'Avon' appearing on the front of the car, as part of the 'grille' or where a license plate would be positioned. The bottles were produced in a range of attractive colours, with the blue and green varieties being particularly rich in tone. Other colours included light golden amber ("topaz"), grey/smoke, and red. The lids of the bottles were made of plastic, with a colour that either closely matched the glass or provided a complementary contrast.

The most popular series of Avon figural bottles is probably their line of glass automobiles

The bottles were sold by Avon as "decanters" and were made to contain either women's perfume or men's cologne or aftershave. Some of the bottles held other cosmetic products, including bath oils. The "heyday" of the vintage Avon figural bottles was from 1965 to 1980, although other figurals have been produced since that time.

The value of these bottles can vary depending on their rarity, condition, and design. Some of the bottles are unmarked on the base and originally bore a sticker with info on the cologne brand name and company name attached to the bottom of the bottle. Some bottles are marked with the name "Avon" embossed on the base, with or without an accompanying mould number. In the case of some of the car bottles, the name "Avon" appears on the front of the car, as part of the grille or where a license plate would be positioned.

The heyday of vintage Avon figural bottles was from 1965 to 1980

The vintage Avon figural bottles were most popular from 1965 to 1980. During this time, Avon produced a wide variety of bottles in different shapes and sizes, including animals, people, vehicles, and household objects. These bottles were made of glass, porcelain, and plastic, and often contained fragrances, lotions, and other cosmetics.

The car-shaped bottles are among the most popular designs, with Avon producing bottles resembling classic cars like the 1936 MG and modern sports cars like the Corvette and Thunderbird. Other popular designs included animals, such as cats, dogs, and even a kangaroo, as well as famous people, such as Elvis Presley and George Washington.

The value of vintage Avon figural bottles varies depending on their rarity, condition, and design. Some of the most valuable bottles include the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1971 George Washington bottle, and the 1978 California Perfume Company bottle.

Today, vintage Avon figural bottles can be found in online marketplaces, antique stores, and estate sales, with many collectors focusing on specific categories or themes. For those interested in collecting these bottles, it is important to look for bottles in good condition, with no chips or cracks, and to ensure their authenticity by purchasing from reputable sellers.

Frequently asked questions