CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

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Vintage Perfume/Beauty Blog

Nine Flags & My Islands Colognes by Colton

Posted on October 7, 2008 at 6:16 PM

MY ISLANDS COLOGNE BY COLTON: six different fragrances named for Majorca, Barbados, Stromboli, Skye, Corfu, Malaya―each little bottle fits on top another to make tall bottle. These were targeted for women's use and came out in 1966 and lasted til about 1974. A 1966 advertisement reads: "MY ISLANDS. COLOGNE. A BREATH OF. ENCHANTED PLACES. Give her Skye Corfu Moorea Barbados Majorca or Strom boli by the beautiful bottle.With new My Islands cologne you can lay claim to an island empire of six islands of exotic fas the mystique that is other worlds.My Islands Colognes in selections of 234 and 6 From $8 to $20. Individual bottles or atomizers from $4 to $6." The bottles were designed by Massimo Vignelli.




 The Nine Flags men’s cologne collection came out in 1965, it was still being sold well into 1973, after that it was discontinued.  It was distributed by the Colton company of Boston, Massachusetts, a division of Gillette, and was marketed by Gillette in the United Kingdom.

 

Each bottle held either 2 oz or 4 oz of cologne and was ball shaped and had a long neck covered with a brushed aluminum screw cap. The name of the cologne is on the bottle part of the cap and on the label on the base. The bottles were designed by Massimo Vignelli.



 

This ingenious collection was full of international flair and each cologne was named after its own country and scent as the essences used to make up the cologne was imported from said country. Each scent was tinted with a different color. I have also seen these in atomizer bottles, but more commonly in the splash type bottles. They came in sets of two for $5.00, three for $6.50, four for $7.50, six for $10 and nine for $15.00. The 4 oz bottles cost $5.00.


Nine Flags Thermal Collection Shaving Foam that turns 150 degrees hot right in his hand No hot water. No electricity. Nothing but the hottest shaving foam in an aerosol can, it came out in 1967.


A 1966 newspaper ad mentions "Doyle Dane's campaign will be for Nine Flags International, a new division of Gillette, and its line of men s colognes from nine countries." Another ad reads "NINE FLAGS INTERNATIONAL GIFT COLOGNES FOR MEN Nine Flags searched the globe for the single best men's colognes... mix several to create his own Nine Flags Blend So get with it gals, get your man Nine Flags International Colognes!"


 

Even commercials of the day featured such scenes as ethnic sexy women talking about which country has the best after shave lotion. Other commercials featured a sexy Italian couple, German couple and Swedish couple.

 

These colognes are still very popular amongst men today and command very high prices on eBay. Prices range from $75-$350 for a single bottle.

 

 

The following countries/scents make up the Nine Flags Collection:

 

  • Lichtenstein-Wild Cedar
  • Luxembourg
  • America-Mountain Green
  • Hong Kong-Patcham
  • Brazil-Aromatic Tabac
  • England-Royal Saddle
  • France-Panache
  • Sweden-Clear Spruce
  • Ireland-Green Moss
  • Germany-Live Oak
  • Spain-Manzanilla
  • Italy-Dry Citrus
  • Morocco-Sea Amber

Photos by www.Vignelli.com

Categories: Discontinued, Vintage & Classic Perfumes

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7 Comments

Reply Jenny C
04:27 PM on July 05, 2010
william shaver says...


Hi Bill!
I just looked back and saw the message you left for me. Still interested? I do not know how to personally contact you. I will try and be diligent in checking the thread for a response.
Thanks, Jenny C
Reply Marty Corey
10:43 AM on June 12, 2010
I'm just listing a full bottle of My Islands on Ebay. I've no idea which Island it is, but it's a very pale green. Though there's a maker's tag on it, it simply says "My Islands Cologne 2.5 ounces Essence Imported Blended In U.S.A.", but embossed in the recessed underside is the info about the elusive Colton Company of Boston, makers of the wonderful Nine Flags collection.
Reply william shaver
06:33 PM on April 25, 2010
William Shaver says...
JENNY - I WOULD LIKE TO BY YOUR MY ISLAND'S CORFU IF STILL AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH YOUR DESIRED PRICE. TRANSACTION WILL BE THROUGH PAYPAL.

THANKS, BILL S
Reply William Shaver
05:03 PM on April 25, 2010
Jenny C says...
Hello! I just happened to come across a bottle of My Islands 'Corfu' this past weekend at a local estate sale. It's full and in the original box. Smells quite nice. Know of anyone who would be interested in it?
Reply Jenny C
01:33 AM on March 30, 2010
Hello! I just happened to come across a bottle of My Islands 'Corfu' this past weekend at a local estate sale. It's full and in the original box. Smells quite nice. Know of anyone who would be interested in it?
Reply mary jane
05:33 PM on February 16, 2010
William... thanks for the link. It's always nice to learn something new about the items we carry. I will try to find more of these items in my travels. If you read this reply please contact me through my email or Ebay. I tried to get back to you but the response was blocked by Paypal... I hope to hear from you soon...Happy shopping!
Reply Ellen
12:30 PM on December 02, 2008
Back in the 70s, I went through a couple bottles of "Skye" by My Islands, then I wasn't able to find it again. Boohoohoo---it smelled SO YUMMY, and people always commented on it when I wore it. If any exists today, it is probably quite ancient---oh, well, it was worth a try!

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