Eau de Cologne Part II - The Birth of Eau de Cologne

After the first column Eau de Cologne – Then and Now! about the famous Eau de Cologne from Johann Maria Farina, we will focus on the exclusive fist edition where it all began…

The fist cologne Eau de Cologne was launched in 1709. Its creator is Johann Maria Farina (Giovanni Maria Farina, Jean Maria Farina, John Maria Farina), an Italian who lived in Koln, Germany. He dedicated his Eau de Cologne in the honor of this city, where he lived from 1708.

In July of 1709 he founded a cologne company, which became very popular and successful. It was named Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz, placed in Koln with a signature logo of a red tulip. The company still runs today and the owners are the eighth generation of Farina’s offspring.

                                        Fragrance Museum Farina-Haus, Keln

While a resident of Germany, Farina found inspiration in his native Italy, sunny citrus fruits and aromas of the Mediterranean coastline. As a contrast to the intense and strong perfumes that were available in Europe and were based on cinnamon, musk and sandalwood oils, his creations gave a completely different approach--a complex scent was a true innovation at that time. The formula consisted of several different essences combined with pure alcohol.

The top notes bring citruses. Bergamot is in the foreground, unripe and green, suitable for Eau de Cologne. In the production of a fragrance, a designer must combine multiple samples, new and old, in order to obtain a constant odor. Each of the plants responds to different climatic changes, which affect the changes of the fragrance itself. Some of the samples that Farina meticulously preserved, compared and sorted are still kept in a museum in Koln.

The Eau de Cologne Original is blended out of citrus oils (lemon, orange, mandarin, bergamot, lime and grapefruit). The floral notes in the composition are neroli, lavender and jasmine, while the aromatic flavor is added with rosemary and thyme. Aromas of petit grain (orange leaves) are in charge for the fresh green notes.

The first sale points of the Eau de Cologne fragrance were in Koln and Frankfurt. In 1716, he first received an order for 12 bottles, sent to Madam Billy in Aachen, and later, after the year of 1730, he was given greater and more important orders, delivering 3700 bottles to about 39 addresses. Eau de cologne eventually became a favorite among the aristocracy! Since 1740, Eau de Cologne achieved real success, it becomes immensely popular and in demand. In a letter written in 1747, Farina states that Eau de Cologne finally gained fans and regular customers across Europe.

Vials in which the Eau de Cologne was primarily bottled are specific and unusual: long and thin cylinders, the length of the 8 ounces, named Rosoli. At first it was possible to obtain Eau de Cologne in full and half measures. Each bottle is sealed with special red seal on which was inscribed the name of the family and the seal of the company. In addition to the bottles, every customer received a certificate on a paper with instructions for use, on which it was primarily written that Eau de Cologne, in addition to the external use, can also effectively be used against bad breath, for dental hygiene and as an anti- infectious diseases product.

Later, the bottle design has changed as we can see from the attached photos (the original photographs - the property of the Museum Farina).

Eau de Cologne Original is the first fragrance that has driven perfumers to do similar creations. Its originality is embroidered with the simplicity and elegance, fresh aromas and sophistication. After the death of Johann Maria Farina (1685-1766), the family business has been taken over by his descendants.

In 1806 the great-grandson of Farina, Jean Marie Joseph Farina, opens the perfume business in Paris, which he later sold to the prestigious company Roger & Gallet. Roger & Gallet owners then gained the right to produce Eau de Cologne Extra Vielle as an opposite to the “firstborn” from Koln--the legendary Eau de Cologne Original.

Roger & Gallet Jean Marie Farina Cologne Extra Vieille launches in 1806. This fragrance, with its freshness of the Mediterranean coastline view, bathed in brilliant Italian citruses, was created as a relaxant and scented aromatherapy that caresses all your senses. Aromatic citrus scents in the top notes are offered by vibrant and sparkling citrus fruits (bergamot, lemon, mandarin, orange). The heart brings aromas of neroli, myrtle, petit grain, carnations, roses and rosemary, while the base hides a discreet spicy clove twist.

The bottle of Roger & Gallet Jean Marie Farina Cologne Extra Vieille had over the years changed its design, and today it is available in the same clean and elegant form as the fragrances of the Roger & Gallet series. Besides cologne, Roger & Gallet has expanded the wide range of products with the same notes as the popular cologne, including body lotion, bath, soaps, scented candles, liquid soap, body cream, deodorant. The fragrance experienced its re-edition in 1991.

The Museum of the Eau de Cologne creator--Jean Marie Farina--is located in Koln. It is open to visitors, being one of the attractions of the city. It was established in 1709 as the oldest perfume factory in history, which resists the passage of time. The museum building of several floors offers a detailed historical review of Farina’s work and creations. It is possible to see a replica of the original distillation items which Farina used at that time, surveys of manufacturing perfume through different phases, extensive archives, barrels of cedar wood, documents, files, photographs focusing on the legendary Eau de Cologne, etc.

The Museum celebrated the 240 years since the death of Johann Maria Farine on the 25th of November 2006. In his honor, there was an organized commemoration ceremony at its premises.

A visit to the museum is certainly a true walk through history, since the art objects, portraits and furniture tell about the time that has passed since the establishment and production of the first fragrance. If you want to visit this museum, you can get all the information about the tour on the official site - Fragrance Museum Farina House.

Eau de Cologne Original is the beginning of the story, a bright citrus debut ... More about the successful editions and the series that have been around for years, many of which are still available, can be found in columns Eau De Cologne - Then and Now....

Sources: Jean Maria Farina Fragrance Museum, Roger & Gallet, Jean Maria Farina - Wikipedia.