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Author: Bertrand, C. F.
Title: Le Parfumeur Impérial, ou l’art de préparer les odeurs, essences, parfums, aromates, eaux de senteur...
Place Published: Paris
Publisher:Brunot-Labbe
Date Published: 1809
Description:

Le Parfumeur Impérial, ou l'art de préparer les odeurs, essences, parfums, aromates, eaux de senteur, poudres, pommades, huiles, pâtes, lait virginal, cosmétiques, vinaigres de propreté, savons et savonnettes, pastilles odorantes, fumigations, bains aromatiques, gants parfumés, rouge de toutes qualités, ainsi que la recette la plus moderne pour la composition de l'Eau de Cologne; suivi d'un index alphabétique des substances propres à la parfumerie. 8vo. xiv, 402, [2] pp. Original red pastepaper wrappers, faded, printed paper label on spine,

The FIRST EDITION of Bertrand's study of perfume and cosmetics. "The year 1809 saw the publication of Le Parfumeur Impérial by C. F. Bertrand. There was no longer a royal perfumer, but the actual substance of Bertrand's book contained material similar to that discussed by eighteenth-century handbooks, such as how to make pomades of hyacinths, roses, jonquils, and mixed flowers (pommades de pot-pourri). Bertrand also contributed to the raging controversies by suggesting his own recipe for eau de cologne." — Morris, Fragrance, p. 173. Also included are recipes for vinegar waters, then a necessary part of the toilet for reasons of health. "[Vinegar] was a preservative against contagion and 'bad air.' By the time Bertrand's book appeared, perfumed gloves were no longer the rage they had been. The Hungary waters were prominent, as were the eaux de Cologne." — Sagarin, The Science and Art of Perfumery, p. 217. ¶ Montesquiou, Pays des Aromates, no. 20. Not in Wiggishoff.

Donated by Ben Kinmont, Bookseller, Sebastopol, CA.

Original red pastepaper wrappers, faded, corners of wrappers folded over, untrimmed and mostly unopened.