If you like to collect perfume bottles or perfume-related items, the International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA) is the organization to join.  The IPBA was organized in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1988.  There are more than 1,200 members from 20 countries. What makes membership in the IPBA so much fun is that we share the same passion -- we all love to collect perfume bottles and/or perfume-related items.  Members willingly share their knowledge and, in the process, new friendships are formed.

We joined the IPBA in 1995 and became founding members of the Lone Star Chapter in 1996.  After you join the international organization, you are eligible to join or organize a regional group in your area.  When you join, you will receive an annual Membership Directory listing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all the members, worldwide, and their collecting interests.  You will also receive the Perfume Bottle Quarterly -- published exclusively for members of the IPBA.  This beautiful 32-page color newsletter features articles written by members on all types of perfume bottles and perfume-related items.

Here are some of the categories of collecting:

Art Glass
Atomizers (crystal, glass, porcelain)
Commercials (including Baccarat and Lalique)
Dime Store Novelties
Factices (giant replica display bottles)
Filigree metals
German Porcelain crown-tops
   (metal stoppers are crown-shaped)
Miniatures (small commercials -- generally
    replicas of full-sized bottles)
Perfume Accessories (jewelry and clothing)

Perfume Advertising
Perfume Burners
Perfume Cards (sometimes used for sampling)
Perfume Lamps
Perfume Solids (solid waxy perfume in bakelite or
       metal containers, i.e., Estee Lauder)
Powder boxes, tins, sachets and pomanders
Scent bottles (18th & 19th Century porcelains,
     crystals, lay-downs and fine metals;
     Czechoslovakian; Baccarat; Lalique)

The possibilities are almost endless -- you can collect whatever you like.

NOW HERE COMES THE FUN -- THE CONVENTION!  Once a year there is a convention, show and sale in a major city in the U.S.  The 2009 convention will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The event starts on Thursday with an optional host-city tour and ends on Sunday at noon.  The show, for buying and selling, is set up in a large ballroom with aisles of display cases filled with glittering glass, porcelain, and other perfume-related treasures.

The festivities include presentations from members on various areas of perfume bottle collecting, an auction, a luncheon featuring a keynote speaker, and moderated round-table discussions with subjects ranging from categories of collecting to internet buying/selling, bottle care and photography.

The IPBA’s welcoming program assigns Mentors to new members, or first-time attendees, to answer questions and to introduce them to other collectors. New members and first-time attendees will also be invited to attend a special presentation on “Perfume Bottle Collecting 101” -- an introduction to perfume bottle collecting.

Once you have attended a convention, you will vow never to miss one.  We have attended 14 conventions and can assure you that the camaraderie is not to be missed.

It does not matter what you collect, how many items you have in your collection, how long you have been collecting or what your collection is worth -- you are welcome to join the IPBA. Two people residing at the same address may join for one membership fee.  To request a Membership Application, send an email to Joan at ladybugs1995@sbcglobal.net.  Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions about the organization or about perfume bottle collecting in general.