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Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Prince Matchabelli Company any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by.

The main objective of this website is to chronicle the history of the Prince Matchabelli fragrances and showcase the bottles and advertising used throughout the years.

However, one of the other goals of this website is to show the present owners of the Prince Matchabelli perfume company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Prince Matchabelli brand might see it.

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Monday, January 13, 2014

Incanto by Simonetta c1955

Incanto by Simonetta: launched in 1955. Perfume created by Simonetta Visconti, an Italian fashion designer.





As told in the 1960 publication "Marketing in Latin America",
"The Prince Matchabelli line of perfumes and toiletries purchased from Vick Chemical Company in 1958 glorifies Chesebrough-Ponds products with the "Continental air" which appealed to upper income Latin Americans. One blend, Simonetta Incanto, was created for Prince Matchabelli by Simonetta of Rome, an Italian duchess who has become famous as a couturiere. This, added to the crown symbol of the Matchabelli coat or arms, gives the line the snob appeal which is so influential in marketing."

In 1960, Incanto was available as:
  • 3 oz Cologne ($5.00)
  • 6 oz Cologne ($7.50)
  • 2 oz Spray Mist Cologne ($3.50)
  • 1 dram Perfume Purse Spray ($4.00)
  • ¼ oz Perfume ($9.00)
  • ½ oz Perfume ($17.50)
  • 1 1/2 oz Perfume ($30.00)


Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like?  It is classified as a deep woodsy floral fragrance for women, heavy on the jasmine.

  • Top notes: bergamot
  • Middle notes: Sicilian jasmine, rose, Italian mignonette
  • Base notes: tobacco, oakmoss, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, musk

Bottles:


The black enameled crown bottle came in three sizes:  1/4 oz stood 1 7/8" tall, the 1/2 oz stood 2 1/2" tall,  and the largest 1 1/2 oz stood 3 3/8" tall.



Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, 1958:
"Simonetta Inc., New York, N. Y. Filed June 3, 1955. INCANTO "Incanto" is an Italian word, an English translation of which would be "spell." For Perfume. First use Apr. 20, 1955. SN 7,084. Eugene-Gallia S. A., Paris, France. Filed Apr. 25, 1956."

Vick Chemical Company Annual Report, 1956:
"Prince Matchabelli successfully introduced its latest cologne - Spring Fancy- in the spring of 1955. Incanto, an Italian perfume and cologne in companion were market tested in the spring in preparation for national introduction this fall under the sponsorship of the famous Italian couturier - Simonetta of Rome. "

Vogue, 1956:
"Simonetta, famous for her Italian fashions, has extended her designing talents to perfume. The subtle, velvety rich fragrance of "Incanto" is the result. Added now (for lighter spell-casting, perhaps?) is this cologne that sprays mistily from a jet black flask."

Modern packaging Encyclopedia, 1960:
"Round set-up boxes in the form of Roman columns provide luxury-type packages for Simonetta's Incanto perfume. A heavily embossed paper simulates the fluted column in appearance as well as to the touch. (F.N. Burt Co box.)"

This bottle is made of black satin glass with a clear stopper and sits on white silk in its original column shaped-box. In fine condition. Height 3 3/8 in. Photo by Mastro Auctions


Fate of the Fragrance:


Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1960.
 


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