Bonds aftershave

Agent_M · October 2004

a couple of weeks ago there was an article in an english paper about the aftershave bond wears, unfortunatly the copy I had at work got thrown away. Can anyone help so I can put it on my birthday wish list?
cheers

Mr Martini · October 2004

What's the name of the paper the article was in?

Agent_M · October 2004

I think it was either the star or the mirror, it did say it was mentioned in the books but I dont remember any of the flemming books having it in

superado · October 2004

I know that in the books, he uses Guerlain's Imperiale. I tried for years looking for an aftershave of this, but it only comes in Eau de Toilette (pardon spelling), I think. I have the spray, which is something I just had to have because of Bond! Guerlain's other classic scent, Vetiver, comes in both spray and aftershave, and I think it's pretty good. It's not a popular scent, which I like because I don't want to smell like everyone else. And because demand is low, they go pretty cheap on special at Perfume places in the mall.

Bill Tanner · October 2004

Now I'm confused; ask me about clothes or cars and I'll describe them in microscopic, anally retentive detail - but when it comes to scent I'm all at sea.

As I can't remember what was described in which novel I've always laboured under the assumption that Mr B used Floris No 89 as an aftershave (wonderful shop on Jermyn Street, by the way) though I can only find a magazine article that mentions this and can't match it with a reference from the novels.

Both Kingsley Amis and Benson's Bedside Companion mentions Pinaud Elixir "that Prince among shampoos" and Guerlain's "Fleurs des Alpes" (presumably soap) over Camay. From where does the other Guerlain information originate?

Can anyone (Superado? - you're always a reliable and meticulous source) provide any of the references from the Fleming novels to clear all this up with the definitive information.

Sir Miles · October 2004

Quoting Bill Tanner:
Guerlain's "Fleurs des Alpes" (presumably soap).

Yup, that is indeed soap.

I also believe that Bond uses Lentheric lotion as his after-shave lotion and Floris Lime bath essence - for men of course

scaramanga1 · October 2004

Quoting Sir Miles:

Quoting Sir Miles:
Quoting Bill Tanner:
Guerlain's "Fleurs des Alpes" (presumably soap).

Yup, that is indeed soap.

I also believe that Bond uses Lentheric lotion as his after-shave lotion and Floris Lime bath essence - for men of course

I might have known you'd have the answers Sir Miles!

Wesson_Smith · October 2004

Clothes!
Sea Island Cotton? Is it a make - a type or a fake brand? H E L P!

superado · October 2004

Quoting Bill Tanner:
Now I'm confused; ask me about clothes or cars and I'll describe them in microscopic, anally retentive detail - but when it comes to scent I'm all at sea.

As I can't remember what was described in which novel I've always laboured under the assumption that Mr B used Floris No 89 as an aftershave (wonderful shop on Jermyn Street, by the way) though I can only find a magazine article that mentions this and can't match it with a reference from the novels.

Both Kingsley Amis and Benson's Bedside Companion mentions Pinaud Elixir "that Prince among shampoos" and Guerlain's "Fleurs des Alpes" (presumably soap) over Camay. From where does the other Guerlain information originate?

Can anyone (Superado? - you're always a reliable and meticulous source) provide any of the references from the Fleming novels to clear all this up with the definitive information.

Hey there Bill. Since I am not infallible, I will own up to my errors in hopes of setting an example

After arriving home I looked at my Bond reference books, scanned some of the novels (but have misplaced my "Book of Bond"), but for the life of me cannot find "Guerlain's Imperiale" listed anywhere. I am still puzzled, because now I wonder what I read years and years ago to make me go out to a store and specifically look for this specific Guerlain scent. Was it a Gardner book? Or some article about Fleming?

Bill Tanner · October 2004

Well funnily enough Supe... after checking a few of my books I still can't find a reference to the Floris No. 89 either! False memory syndrome? A similar thing apparently happened to John Glen when he attributed the Citroen 2CV to Melina Havelock. When he later checked the novel he found it wasn't there.

You reminded me to dig out my copy of the Kingsley Amis's Book of Bond (and I'd forgotten what an excellent book it is) but he doesn't mention it. There's a reference to the various girls scents: Guerlain's 'Ode', Caron's 'Muguet', Balmain's 'Vent Vert' and Chanel no. 5. Amis also mentions Bonds shampoo as Pinaud Elixir but doesn't say from which book.

Can anyone clear this up which decent references?

Sir Miles · October 2004

In one of the reference books I use it also says that Bond uses Guerlain's Imperial as his cologne and the others that have been mentioned - but it doesn't give book references

It also states that Bond uses an old-fashioned Gillette or new Hoffritz to shave with - all these sound like Fleming references to me, although Gardner wasn't adverse to using the odd branded name !

PUCCINI · October 2004

there was one for selling back in 1965, when Thunderball came out, but I don't remember its name, it has Bond (Connery) face in the cover...

superado · October 2004

Quoting Sir Miles:
In one of the reference books I use it also says that Bond uses Guerlain's Imperial as his cologne and the others that have been mentioned - but it doesn't give book references It also states that Bond uses an old-fashioned Gillette or new Hoffritz to shave with - all these sound like Fleming references to me, although Gardner wasn't adverse to using the odd branded name !

Sir Miles! Thank you, I still have my marbles. Do you remember the name of your reference book? It might be the same one I remember reading.

Sir Miles · October 2004

Quoting superado:
Sir Miles! Thank you, I still have my marbles. Do you remember the name of your reference book? It might be the same one I remember reading.

No problem, just wish I had more time to root through the other books I have. The name of the book I used is The Book Of Bond, James Bond by Hoyt L & Harry L Barber. It's quite a decent reference book.

Bill Tanner · November 2004

Superado - did you ever find clarification for this? I'd love to have a definitive answer.

Asp9mm · November 2004

Mr B's No 89 Floris is now in their classics section of colognes and makes you smell like 'old men' as my girlfriend so eloquently puts it, it is a fine fragrance, though a little old fashioned. Floris's Santal range is great as is their JF range. If you have a TK Maxx near to you, you can usually find N0. 89 at a really bargain price of £4.95 for 100ml.

Bill Tanner · November 2004

I remain as befuddled as ever.

Is it Floris No. 89, Guerlain's Imperiale, or Vetiver?

Someone must be able to provide definitive references from the original novels.

Asp9mm · November 2004

The original novels don't mention any particular cologne, just the fact that Bond shops at Floris and he prefers women to use Guerlains Fleur de Alpes soap (it is a girly soap not a blokes).

Fleming shopped at Floris and used No. 89, and after using Floris in DAF, he got loads of freebies from them.

Gardners Bond used Dunhill's Elite EDT in Scorpius. And that is the only time a specific brand is mentioned in the novels.

The Gillette and Hoffritz razors are mentiond by Fleming and Bond thought about using the latter as an impromptu knuckle duster in TMWTGG.

Cmdr_Egorunamuck · November 2004

Quoting Vesperkitten:
Mmmm... I love a good smelling man. What do some of you guys wear?

Homer Simpson's Sea Island briefs.

But seriously (?) ... I agree with Superado. I also like Guerlain's Vetiver very much; wish they would create something that would last, though. However, after the very hot then chilling shower, anything washes off, including the scent of the next Bond girl.
______________________

"Because he's BOND!!!"

"Surely, you're joking!!?"
"Don't call me Shirley."

superado · November 2004

Quoting Bill Tanner:
Superado - did you ever find clarification for this? I'd love to have a definitive answer.

Up to last night, I still have been skimming through the novels, Bond references, and even the comic strips! Someone else corroborated the use of Imperiale, so if not in the novel, it must have been adopted at some point. I even thought about Pearson's "Authorized Biography of 007," or perhaps Col. Sun, since for some reason, apocryphal Bond "facts" from those sources are held in good light by Bond reference book authors (like Benson and Bond's birthdate, taken from Pearson's 007 biography).

Does anyone here have a good correspondence relationship with Raymond Benson? Or can a member of CBn pose this question there?

milomarch · September 2006

I too have failed to locate a source in the books for Guerlain's Imperiale, but I know I bought a bottle of it many years ago due to its Bond connections. I think I must have read that it was Flemings personal choice from his biography perhaps. I suppose the same holds true for Floris 89. The only reference the books make to any kind of fragrance that Bond uses is 'Lentheric' aftershave, which I believe can only be found now on ebay. I did purchase a box of Guerlain's Fleurs des Alps (light green colored/scented soap that comes in a box of 3) several years ago when I was last in Nassau (Bahamas). They sold it in a well known fragrance store there called 'The Nassau Shop' on Bay Street, near the Straw Market.

clum · September 2006

this discussion is classic!

almost as good as the discourse on the inflation-adjusted price of Bond's sticky bun

)

Barry Nelson · September 2006

He wears his own brand and has been since the 60's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Authentic-1970s-007-JAMES-BOND-Cologne_W0QQitemZ200024490425QQihZ010QQcategoryZ32991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

BTW, I had a bottle of this in the early 70's and my girlfriend liked it.

Bill Tanner · September 2006

clum wrote:

this discussion is classic!

almost as good as the discourse on the inflation-adjusted price of Bond's sticky bun )

You can't joke about sticky buns - Bond's or otherwise.

That discussion was one of my favorites, and for those interested:
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=22797

clum · September 2006

that's it!

)

a high-brow conversation regarding sticky bun expenditures

I :x ajb!

words · September 2006

clum wrote:

that's it! )

a high-brow conversation regarding sticky bun expenditures

I :x ajb!

I often think there should be a 'classic threads' section. I remember a hilarious one that degenerated into a huge argument about which celebrity cat would make the best James Bond (although that's not how it started). There was pages of it! (sorry - going off topic here please carry on talking about aftershave).

Alex · September 2006

words wrote:

clum wrote:

that's it! )

a high-brow conversation regarding sticky bun expenditures

I :x ajb!

I often think there should be a 'classic threads' section. I remember a hilarious one that degenerated into a huge argument about which celebrity cat would make the best James Bond (although that's not how it started). There was pages of it! (sorry - going off topic here please carry on talking about aftershave).

I remember that one well, though I'm unable to locate the thread. An amusing light hearted clash over felines. But then we all know how competitive some of us are.

words · September 2006

Alex wrote:

words wrote:

clum wrote:

that's it! )

a high-brow conversation regarding sticky bun expenditures

I :x ajb!

I often think there should be a 'classic threads' section. I remember a hilarious one that degenerated into a huge argument about which celebrity cat would make the best James Bond (although that's not how it started). There was pages of it! (sorry - going off topic here please carry on talking about aftershave).

I remember that one well, though I'm unable to locate the thread. An amusing light hearted clash over felines. But then we all know how competitive some of us are.

Yes to a ridiculous degree sometimes!

I tried finding it once too, but I can't for the life of me remember how it started (I know it was nothing to do with cats originally ?:) )

007 White Knight · September 2006

I haven't seen his aftershave in any books but thank you

bawtrees · December 2006

There is a mention of Bond using Pinaud Elixir shampoo in the book 'OHMSS'.

superado · August 2007

Mystery solved...I think. After playing around with Google Books (http://books.google.com/), I can now confirm with greater certainty, that Guerlain's Imperial was mentioned only in Gardner's "License Renewed," in the chapter, "Thoughts in a Surrey Lane":

" ...After drying himself with a rough towel, Bond rubbed a small amount of Guerlain's
Imperial Cologne into his skin before ... "

Benson then mistakenly assumed/mentioned that Gardner carried over from Fleming that Guerlain's Imperial as Bond's staple scent, where it seems more like a case of Gardner embellishing on Fleming's details.

Bonds aftershave

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