Getting Started: Collecting Perfume Atomizer Models

There's something delightfully chic about the perfume atomizer. It calls to mind the days of the twenties and thirties, and even the forties, when big band was in, Elizabeth Taylor was the queen of the silver screen, and scent was spritzed with a charming and delicate perfume atomizer. Aware of the retro charms of the atomizer--almost a symbol of America in its heydays--modern designers are beginning to bring back this lovely little piece of Americana. But if you're looking into collecting, you are probably more interested in the old atomizers, the antiques and collectibles.

There are several good sites online which specialize in selling vintage perfume atomizer models (and several more scams who specialize in taking your money and giving you a cheap imitation, or nothing, in return; let the buyer beware), but some of the best places to find antique and collectible atomizers are your local flea markets, trade days, or yard sales. Often, these places are ideal for the new collector because it doesn't matter if you're inexperienced at telling what is valuable and what isn't; most perfume atomizer models here will run two or three dollars, sometimes even less, sometimes a little more. You should try to keep your early purchases under five dollars; never spend more than ten or fifteen dollars, no matter what the seller tells you, until you can be fairly certain of the atomizer's value. Once you are more experienced, if you see a two hundred dollar atomizer for twenty or thirty dollars, by all means, go for it!

Once you become adept at collecting atomizers, you may wish to specialize. Different manufacturers made different atomizers, with different shapes, styles, colors, quality, and values. Or, you may not. Some collectors, even after twenty or thirty years of collecting, will take any atomizer they can find. Others collect only atomizers that capture their fancy, regardless of make or value. Whichever kind of collector you become, a perfume atomizer is a satisfying and worthwhile collection that doubles as a beautiful decorating material.