Repartee by Lentheric c1949

Launched in 1949, Repartee by Lentheric carries a name that evokes a sense of wit and sophistication. The term "repartee," borrowed from French and pronounced "rep-ar-TAY," refers to quick, witty, and clever replies or exchanges. This word conjures images of elegant social interactions and intellectual charm, suggesting a perfume that embodies the grace and sharpness of verbal sparring.

The choice of the name Repartee is emblematic of post-war society’s fascination with refinement and repartee in both conversation and personal style. In the aftermath of World War II, there was a cultural shift towards embracing sophistication and a return to more nuanced, thoughtful modes of expression. The name would resonate with an audience eager to reflect their own sophistication and sharp wit through their choice of fragrance.

In scent, Repartee would likely be interpreted as a fragrance with a lively, sparkling character, mirroring the quickness and brightness of its namesake. The composition might feature crisp, fresh top notes that capture the essence of a quick-witted exchange—perhaps with bright citrus elements or lively aldehydes. As the fragrance develops, it could unfold with a refined bouquet of floral notes, adding depth and elegance. The base would likely ground the fragrance with warm, sophisticated notes that offer a lasting impression, such as sandalwood or amber, reflecting the enduring appeal of a clever and engaging conversation.

Women of the late 1940s would have related to Repartee as a symbol of their own refinement and intellectual engagement. This era was characterized by a resurgence of elegance and a desire to convey sophistication in every aspect of life. Repartee would have appealed to women seeking to project an image of grace and wit, aligning with the broader cultural trend towards refinement and stylish self-expression following the constraints of the war years.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a spicy floral chypre fragrance for women. It begins with a bright citrus top accented with aldehydes and peach, followed by an opulent floral heart punctuated with rich spices, resting on a warm, animalic, powdery base.

• Top notes: aldehydes, peach, neroli, bergamot, sage, reseda, lilac
• Middle notes: pepper, jasmine, orange blossom, cinnamon, cloves, carnation and rose
• Base notes: vetiver, boxwood, sandalwood, musk, civet, oakmoss, amber, tonka, vanilla, cedar, macassar

The New Yorker - Volume 25, 1949:

"Lentheric's Repartee is one of the most versatile of those floral blends that change according to the wearer. It's a new scent, but it is already available in toilet waters, bubble baths, sachets, and so on."

Mademoiselle, 1949:

"Fresh from France. Lentheric's Repartee, bright blending of flowers and spice, $15 an ounce."

Femme, 1950:

"The great success of Repartee determined Lenthéric to create a Repartee Toilet Essence which has all the qualities of an eau de toilette with the tenacity of a real perfume. Women find in the latter the captivating note of perfume, that is to say - as you know - "the charm of yesterday, the spirit of today, the taste of tomorrow." Thanks to the Perfumed Essence, we can use Repartee widely, at every moment of the day, from waking up until night.."

L'Amour de l'art, 1950:

 "Repartee by Lentheric: Lively, fair, pleasant and witty like a repartee full of freshness and gaiety, this scent unites jasmine with rose without neglecting the more heady scents of amber and musk."

Combat, 1954:

 "Eau Repartee de Lentheric: From a woody background - cedar, chypre and macassar - emerges, triumphant, the sunny aroma of jasmine. Harmonizing with the atmosphere of a nocturnal party in a park, it is a garden, precisely, that it holds its fiery charms of sage, softened by the vibrant foam of the resedas, amplified by this composite and aristocratic smell of lilac, orange blossom, rose and boxwood, which one breathes in June, in the alleys of Versailles. But how much dominates the jasmine, little white sun, musky prince of hot siestas."

Bottles:

Parfum Flacons:

The Repartee Parfum flacon was made by Verreries Brosse and is a column of clear crystal with its lower half molded to look like a knot of fabric. The bottle has an unusual, chunky glass stopper, which looked more like an overcap. Instead of having a just a stopper plug, the stopper was hollowed underneath and had a plug in the center so that it could be placed into mouth of the bottle, forming a tight seal. A thin gold foil paper label is wrapped around the top part of the bottle just under the stopper.

The bottle stands 3.25" tall.

This same type of stopper/overcap design was also used by Germaine Monteil as well.

Bouquet Lentheric Bottles:

The luxury edition of the Bouquet Lentheric bottle follows the design of the parfum flacon with the knotted fabric motif. The 4 oz bottle stands just over 7.75" tall.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.

Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Lentheric company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Lentheric fragrances.  

The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Lentheric company how much we miss the discontinued classics such as Repartee and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back the original formula of the perfume! 


Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.