Silent Night by Countess Maritza c1947

Silent Night by Countess Maritza: launched in 1947.

It was available in the following:

• 1/4 oz Parfum
• 1/2 oz Parfum
• 1 oz Parfum
• 1 oz Toilet Water
• 1 3/8 oz Toilet Water
• 2 oz Toilet Water
• 3 7/8 oz oz Toilet Water
• Cologne
• Perfumed Cream Sachet
• Perfumed Talcum Powder
• Body Powder

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women. I have no published notes in this fragrance, so I am using a vintage 1950s perfume nip to sample.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, orange, lily of the valley
• Middle notes: jasmine, ylang ylang, Damask rose, violet, carnation, tuberose
• Base notes: sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli, benzoin, civet, amber, orris, musk, cedar, vanilla

I dabbed some drops on the back of my hand. On my skin, a very quick burst of aldehydes, lily of the valley and bergamot make for a nose tickled opening. A rush of heady sweetness from a marriage of violet, jasmine, spicy carnation, a hint of tuberose and rose waft up from the warmth of my skin. I delightfully inhale their beautiful bouquet while I detect some orange and banana like ylang ylang. This sweetness is further accented with benzoin and vanilla. After about 20 minutes, some woods start to come forth in a blend of cedar and sandalwood. Spikes of fuzzy oakmoss, dusty orris and pungent patchouli join the crowd while the animalic scents of ambergris, musk and civet round out the base.  This was an absolutely divine perfume to sample. I really enjoyed the sweetness, which was not cloying, as it was balanced by the woodsy notes which gave it a warm, enveloping and sensual effect.

Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1960.


The Pittsburgh Press - Dec 15, 1947:

"SILENT NIGHT Toilet Water by Countess Maritza . Give the gift of utmost charm this Christmas time. Silent Night, exciting and wholly dramatic. And when you sniff it for the first time, you'll follow the rule of giving others just what you'd like to receive. In a jewel-fashioned bottle, the exquisite fragrance of Silent Night will become the silent charm of all who wear it."

Motion Picture, 1951:

"A big thing in a small package is Countess Maritza's Pursette of Silent Night perfume, shaped so that it won't spill until pressed to the desired spot, $1.50."