“You really want to look at that?” the clerk at Goodwill asked. She shouted toward the clerk at the cash register. “She wants to look at this old perfume.” She turned to me again. “I don’t know. It looks pretty dark. I bet it’s gone bad.”

True, the bottle wasn’t promising: an 8-ounce faceted glass canister with a cap the color of purple Jordan almonds. I figured it for yet another bottle of Avon Skinny Dip but thought I’d have a look just in case. Besides, I’d already seen an ounce bottle of Estée Lauder Aliage in the case I knew I wanted.

The label on the bottom of the bottle identified it as Intimate Eau de Cologne by Revlon. I’d never heard of it but dabbed some on my arm anyway. One whiff and Goodwill’s fluorescent lights and slight fust fell away, replaced by visions of rustling organza skirts and white gloves. Intimate was unmistakably a classic 1950s floral animalic chypre with a tingly, soapy top. I couldn’t say “I’ll take it” fast enough.

Revlon released Intimate in 1955, during the glory years of the floral, animalic chypre…

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