Fragrance history research
This is where my research on the history of perfume lives. Every claim carries its source. Each one is labeled as documented, debated or legend.
The History of Perfume
A museum of perfume history from the earliest evidence to today. It has twenty exhibits with images from museum collections. Each exhibit shows what the evidence supports. Open the museum.
House and perfumer histories
The Fragrance Library holds the stories of houses, perfumers and materials. Start with the house pages or the perfumer entries.
The Fragrance License Map
Who makes the fragrances for which brands. Open the License Map.
Who writes it
I’m Samuel Sayre. I’m a fragrance historian with 25 years in fine fragrance. I write everything on these pages myself.
How it’s sourced
- Primary sources first: patents, house archives, museum records and period texts.
- Scholarship second, named in each entry.
- Documented facts, scholarly interpretation and legend are labeled apart.
- Images come only with documented rights.
Questions
Where do I start to date a vintage bottle?
Start with the house pages in the Fragrance Library. They give launch years and changes over time. The bottle, label and box each changed in different years.
Where can I learn the history of perfume?
Start with the History of Perfume. It runs from the earliest evidence to modern houses. Every exhibit lists its sources.
How do you know a story is true?
I check it against primary sources. When the evidence is thin I say so. Legend stays labeled as legend.
Who makes my favorite brand’s fragrance?
The License Map shows which companies make fragrances for which brands.