A passion for miniatures, starting a collection

To become a collector of perfume phials, you will first need to learn to distinguish the various containers: tube, miniature bottle, miniature replica, sample, pendants or perfumed cards.
You can collect anything. Once you have decided what you will collect, learn all the little tricks that will make an informed collector out of you.
By Delphine Desveaux . 25/05/01

The market for miniature perfumes collections has really boomed only in the last 15 years. It first started in Belgium then it reached France and spread to Italy. With a collection of miniatures that you have acquired or found in the souvenir box of your family, you can go into trading or buying (Don't forget to ask for a receipt if you are buying exceptional or very old pieces)
Though over time, collections increase in value, it would be a shame to miss rare occasions. For instance, no one purchased the miniature set Bruno d'Harcourt was selling in 1986. Since then, it has become the subject of a legend and of regrets for many.

The importance of bottles

Miniature samples must recall the shape of the original bottles even if they are made by different manufacturers and made of different materials. (Glass versus crystal, for instance). The bottle is a determining factor to the success of a miniature. For instance, bottles manufactured by Lalique increase considerably the value of miniatures by Coty, Nina Ricci, and recently, for pieces created for their own fragrances.

Starting a collection...

Like any other collection, you will start gradually. However, perfumers offer free miniatures only for purchases over 400 francs of the same brand.
So you'd better not bother your perfumer if you only buy a foam bath. Good contacts make rich collectors! You might want to focus on a particular theme: color, brand, shape or simply let yourself be guided by the pleasure of acquiring miniatures. Though, remember that miniatures are more rare that larger sizes because they don't stay long on the market and they are produced in lesser quantities since they are not intended for sales purposes.
Evidently, their market value decreases when they hit the market. "The value of a sample depends on its rarity, its condition (full bottle with the stopper and original labeling, presented in its original packaging), and the charm that emanates from it," explains Régine de Robien, an expert in vintage phials at the Hôtel Drouot.
But some miniature perfumes are easy to acquire at large department stores, or by mail order as free gifts with a purchase.
In our next issue: where to find perfume miniatures.