Holly Berry by Prince Matchabelli c1940

Holly Berry by Prince Matchabelli, launched in 1940, carries a name deeply rooted in the festive imagery and emotions associated with the holiday season. The choice of the name "Holly Berry" likely reflects an intention to evoke the cheer and warmth of Christmas, with the holly plant being a traditional symbol of Yuletide celebrations. The crisp, spiky leaves and bright red berries of the holly plant are emblematic of winter, often used in decorations to bring a touch of nature indoors during the colder months. By naming the fragrance "Holly Berry," Prince Matchabelli sought to capture this sense of festivity and nostalgia, creating an immediate association with the joyous and communal spirit of the holidays.

The cologne itself mirrors this festive imagery, with its merry green hue reminiscent of holly leaves, further enhancing the connection to the plant's symbolism. The scent is designed to sparkle with the same liveliness as the holiday season, offering a sensory experience that transports wearers to a world of warmth, gatherings, and celebration. The name "Holly Berry" evokes images of cozy firesides, snow-dusted landscapes, and homes adorned with garlands of holly. Emotionally, it conjures a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and the joy of shared traditions, making it a name that resonates deeply with the spirit of the season.

In the context of perfume, "Holly Berry" would be interpreted as a fragrance meant to embody the essence of the holidays. Its festive aromatic profile, with tart fruit notes, sweet, warm spices, and a green, fern-like woodsy base, would be seen as a reflection of the scents commonly associated with wintertime celebrations. The tartness of the fruit notes might be reminiscent of winter berries, while the warm spices could evoke the scent of holiday baking, and the green, woodsy base could mirror the fresh, natural scent of evergreen foliage.

Women of the 1940s, the era in which this fragrance was launched, would have related to a perfume called "Holly Berry" as a delightful seasonal accessory, something to enhance the festive mood of the holiday season. The name would have appealed to their sense of tradition and the desire to capture the essence of the holidays in a personal way. During this time, women were beginning to embrace fragrances that were not only for special occasions but also for everyday wear, and a scent like "Holly Berry" would have offered a way to carry the festive spirit with them throughout the season.

The 1940s was a time when the fragrance market was dominated by rich, complex scents, often with floral, spicy, or chypre compositions. However, "Holly Berry" stood out as a unique offering, specifically designed to evoke the holiday season. While other fragrances of the time might have focused on more year-round themes, "Holly Berry" was distinctly seasonal, aligning with the growing trend of fragrances tailored for specific moods or occasions. Its festive aromatic profile, with its blend of tart fruit, warm spices, and green woodsy notes, would have set it apart from the more traditional offerings of the time, making it a unique and cherished addition to a woman's perfume collection.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is a festive aromatic holiday scent, with tart fruit notes and full of sweet, warm spices and green fern-like woodsy base notes.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, black currant, bayberry, cranberry, orange, pomegranate
• Middle notes: ivy, cinnamon, cloves, fern, rose, jasmine, lavender, violet leaf, nutmeg
• Base notes: myrrh, oakmoss, labdanum, vetiver, patchouli, juniper, balsam fir, pine, cedar, patchouli, Mysore sandalwood, tonka bean, galbanum, musk, turpentine, frankincense

Scent Profile:

As you bring the bottle of Holly Berry to your nose, the first impression is an invigorating burst of aldehydes, which provides a bright, effervescent quality that instantly uplifts the senses. This is followed by the zesty freshness of bergamot, its citrusy tang adding a lively sparkle to the opening. The black currant introduces a tart, juicy fruitiness, its sharpness balanced by the sweeter, slightly resinous note of bayberry. 

As the fragrance unfolds, the rich, ruby-like essence of cranberry emerges, offering a mouthwatering tartness that mingles with the sun-warmed sweetness of orange. The scent of pomegranate rounds out the top notes with its deep, slightly earthy fruitiness, enhancing the complex interplay of tart and sweet that defines the initial experience.

As the top notes begin to mellow, the heart of the fragrance reveals itself with a lush, green accord of ivy, bringing a fresh, slightly bitter edge reminiscent of climbing vines and dewy foliage. The warm, aromatic presence of cinnamon and cloves follows, their sweet spiciness enveloping you in a cozy, festive warmth that is both comforting and invigorating. Fern adds an earthy, verdant layer, its subtle, mossy character evoking the scent of a forest floor in the depths of winter. 

Interwoven with these are the delicate floral notes of rose and jasmine, their soft, romantic sweetness adding depth and elegance to the composition. The powdery green scent of violet leaf and the soothing herbaceous quality of lavender further enrich the middle notes, offering a balance of freshness and tranquility. Nutmeg introduces a final hint of spice, its warm, slightly sweet aroma rounding out the heart of the fragrance with a touch of exotic allure.

As the fragrance settles into its base, the rich, resinous scent of myrrh emerges, bringing with it a deep, almost meditative warmth that anchors the entire composition. Oakmoss lends a damp, earthy quality, reminiscent of moss-covered stones in a dense woodland. The smoky, balsamic depth of labdanum intertwines with the grassy, slightly smoky character of vetiver, creating a complex, grounding effect. Patchouli adds a touch of earthiness, its rich, dark scent adding depth and mystery. 

The crisp, aromatic sharpness of juniper and the fresh, forest-like notes of balsam fir, pine, and cedar transport you to a snow-covered forest, their woody, evergreen aromas embodying the essence of winter. The luxurious warmth of Mysore sandalwood imparts a creamy, smooth texture, while tonka bean adds a sweet, almost vanilla-like warmth that lingers on the skin. 

The bitter green edge of galbanum cuts through the sweetness, adding a sharp, herbal contrast. Musk provides a sensual, animalic undertone that deepens the fragrance’s allure, while the subtle, resinous bite of turpentine hints at the scent of freshly cut wood. Finally, the smoky, incense-like aroma of frankincense rounds out the base notes, leaving a trail of mystery and warmth that lingers long after the fragrance has settled.

Together, these notes create a rich, multifaceted scent that captures the festive spirit of the holidays, evoking images of winter berries, evergreen forests, and the warmth of a cozy hearth. The balance of tart fruit, sweet spices, and green, woodsy base notes makes Holly Berry a celebration in itself, offering a sensory experience that is both comforting and invigorating, perfect for the holiday season.

Sales Management, Volume 55, 1945:

"HOLLY BERRY COLOGNE: The latest Prince Matchabelli creation is this sparkling new fragrance which has been designed to convey the gay festive spirit of the Yuletide season. Container has a colorful holly leaf and berry motif. "

Modern Packaging, 1945:

"Prince Matchabelli introduced "Three of Hearts" just in time to be featured for Valentine's Day promotion. Three of his most popular scents in their familiar crown-emblazoned flacons are packaged together in a soft blue box, bowed with a cerise ribbon - a truly Valentine gift box. The three of hearts is significantly featured as the decorative motif. The three little bottles in a row provide a scent to please every mood. Potpourri, spicy; Gypsy Patteran, wild-flower; Holly Berry, holiday spirit."

Glass Packer, 1946:

"THREE OF HEARTS, a trio of crown-emblazoned flacons of three Prince Matchabelli colognes, is being presented in the Valentine theme. Potpourri, Gypsy Patteran and Holly Berry are packaged in a truly Valentine gift box, a soft blue, bowed with a cerise ribbon and significantly featuring a Three of Hearts."

The New Yorker, 1947:

"Royal match of Prince Matchabelli Perfume and Cologne. Choice of fragrance!:. $2. Christmas Rose Cologne. Holiday fragrance, festive companion to Holly Berry Cologne. Each. $2."

Vick Chemical Company Annual Report, 1947:

"Prince Matchabelli Inc. Engaged in the manufacture and sale of women’s fine perfume, toiletries and cosmetics. The products of this division are identified by the Matchabelli crown and include the following distinctive names: Crown Jewel, Stradivari, Duchess of York, Abano, Holly Berry, Potpourri and Summer Frost. Executive offices and sales display at 711 Fifth Avenue,New York; Plant at Bloomfield, NJ."

Harper's Bazaar, 1947:

"Tender Duchess of York and Ave Maria, $3.50 to $35. Christmas Jingle Bell. Three crowns of Prince Matchabelli Perfume. $4.50. One-crown Bell, $1.75. Christmas Rose Cologne. Holiday fragrance, festive companion to Holly Berry Cologne. Each, $2. (all prices plus tax) Crown Jewel Perfume."

Woman's Home Companion, Volume 76, 1949:

 "Matchabelli's Cologne Carols in Holly Berry and Potpourri fragrances, $1.00."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Holly Berry by Prince Matchabelli, a fragrance that once captured the essence of the holiday season, was eventually discontinued, though the exact date remains a mystery. Its enduring popularity is evident from the fact that it was still being sold as late as 1959, nearly two decades after its initial launch. During this time, Holly Berry had become a beloved staple in the fragrance collections of many, cherished for its festive aromatic blend that evoked the warmth and nostalgia of Christmas.

The decision to discontinue Holly Berry, like many classic fragrances, likely reflected shifts in market trends and consumer preferences. As the fragrance industry evolved, newer scents emerged, and older classics gradually faded from the shelves. However, the fact that Holly Berry remained available for so long suggests that it held a special place in the hearts of those who sought to capture the spirit of the holidays in a bottle.

Today, Holly Berry is remembered as a symbol of a bygone era, a fragrance that transported wearers to a time of festive cheer and seasonal celebration. Its discontinuation marks the end of an era, but its legacy lives on in the memories of those who treasured it, as well as in the rare bottles that occasionally surface in vintage collections. Though it is no longer produced, Holly Berry remains a poignant reminder of the enduring power of scent to evoke the most cherished moments of our lives.