Today is International Fragrance/Perfume Day-March 18th. The power of perfumes can entice one today, and also stir memories of the past. I have a few books to celebrate the the history of perfumes.
The first book is “The Mystery & Lure of Perfume” by C.J. Thompson, published 1927. This history of perfumes begins at the Garden of Eden, and sweet smelling plants found within. Ever since then, people have been trying to make fragrances. The author brings lots of legends and tales in his history, a rather thorough walk through the ages. It makes for an interesting and enjoyable read. About halfway in the book, describing the early eighteenth century, he tells of Eau de Cologne. It was invented by Johann Maria Farina and his brother Johann Baptist Farina in Italy. They moved to Cologne Germany in 1709. They made a cordial water, later named Eau de Cologne, still in existence today.
I then move to “Perfumes and Spices” by A. Hyatt Verrill, 1940. The subtitle “The story of the history, source, preparation, and use of the spices, perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics which are in everyday use.” This book, as well as a basic history, goes into the details of specific plants (trees, bushes, flowers) and spices, why they were important, and how they were used. It is an equally entertaining book. In one chapter of how perfumes are made, he says “The formula of the famous German Cologne has been a secret of one family for generations, and could not be bought at any price.”
The third book I have is “The Essence of Beauty, a history of perfume and cosmetics” by Aytoun Ellis, 1960. It may be hard to believe, but this book also is interesting. Imagine three books about perfumes, all looking at some basic history, but being able to stand alone-in the direction they focus on. One similar discussion with all three books, would be on the toilet water of Eau-de-Cologne. This author explains that it is a toilet water because of being diluted with rose water or orange water. The item was called “Kolnisches Wasser” and renamed Eau-de-Cologne. The author then actually breaks down several “recipes” of the perfume.
I mention this, because in a trip several years ago to Cologne, I visited the Cologne Cathedral (also discussed on January 6th), I made a short walk to the home of Eau de Cologne. There was a fountain inside that one could reach into. The aroma spread throughout the room.
I also have a German-language book on the history of Eau de Cologne. Behind it is a memorial souvenir from the board of Kolnisch Wasser at celebrating 160 years (published in 1952). It has actual photographs that were glued into the program. That would make them 232 years old this year.
In a recent cruise stop between Rome and Barcelona, we drove through Grasse, on the way to Gourdon. Grasse is the perfume capital of the world. There were fields of various flowers like Lavender leading up to the city. The pink umbrellas (2800 of them) were set up for the 51st annual rose festival in the city. In Gourdon, we went through an old candy factory, and tasted all sorts of chocolates flavored with various flowers and fruits.
Whether one celebrates International or just plain National Fragrances/Perfume Day, I nose you will scents my fragrance enthusiasm for reading.
Did you hear about the perfume that did not smell at all? It was total non-scents.
Librarytomes 