Old English Lavender by Yardley

Among the perfume bottles in our collection is Yardley's Old English Lavender.  This perfume likely belonged to either Margaret Hodges Hood or her mother-in-law, Eva Hodges.

Lavandula Augustifolia

Yardley is the world's oldest cosmetics company.  It was begun in 1770 and was a major producer of soap and cosmetics by the 20th century.  The perfume Old English Lavender was launched in 1813 and seems to have been discontinued by 1934.  Yardley is still known for their lavender fragrances.  The newer line, English Lavender, has been in production since 1873. While I can find no description of the Old English Lavender, other than "sweet and discrete", today's English Lavender line, considered Yardley's signature scent, combines "lavender leaves, neroli and clary sage with a heart of lavender oil and geranium, enhanced with deeper notes of tonka bean and sandalwood."  According to Yardley, the lavender they have used since the 1930s is Lavandula Augustifolia.  

1924

1931 French ad
"Partout avec l'Elegance"
Everywhere with Elegance