The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants

by G. W. Septimus Piesse

With Instructions for the Manufacture of Perfumes for the Handkerchief, Scented Powders, Odorous Vinegars, Dentifrices, Pomatums, Cosmetics, Perfumed Soap, Etc., to which is Added an Appendix on Preparing Artificial Fruit-Essences, Etc.

G. W. Septimus Piesse was a London perfumer and chemist, and The Art of Perfumery became a standard Victorian manual of his trade. It begins with the history of perfume and the methods of extracting scents from flowers, herbs, woods and animal sources, then gives practical instructions for making perfumes for the handkerchief, bouquets, scented soaps, cold cream, pomades, hair washes, tooth powders and other preparations. This edition adds an appendix on artificial fruit essences. Some recipes use substances no one would recommend today, so the book is best read for its history, its lore of materials and its picture of a craft at the edge of modern chemistry. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.