Annick Le Guerer Si Le Parfum m'etait Conte (2009) {Fragrant Reading} {Fragrance News}

Perfume author Annick Le Guérer will publish a new book from December 17, 2009 entitled Si le parfum m' était conté (If The Story of Perfume Were Told to Me) at Editions Garde-Temps made in collaboration with l'Osmothèque in Versailles. The foreword was written by the President of the Osmothèque Patricia de Nicolaï. 

Like other tomes at the publishing house and her previous work Quand le parfum portait remède, the book is transformed into a less abstract object that is usual for print and scented with 12 perfumes from the past....

The study concentrates on the history of legendary perfume brands and houses reportedly as seen through the conservation work of L'Osmothèque.

The houses and companies surveyed include, according to fragrance consultant Nathalie Pichard, "Houbigant, Pivert, Lubin, Poiret, Guerlain, Chanel, Dior,Hermès, Lancôme, Patou, Caron...And major fragrance houses like Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF, or Robertet... "

The 12 recreated fragrances showcased in the book are Guerlain Ode, Caron Tabac Blond, Patou Joy, Chanel No.5, Lancôme Trésor, Christian Dior Miss Dior, Parfum Royal, Quelques Fleurs, Bal à Versailles, Schiaparelli Shocking, François Coty l'Origan, Guy Laroche J'Ai Osé.

I can only speak for the recent Quand le parfum portait remède which I was able to discover: the encapsulated perfumes which need to be scratched to release their scents are not just sketchy recreations but layered and evocative.

Even if you do not read French, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be able to take pleasure in the exploration of the book, its visual illustrations and cull out enough information to justify a purchase if you are interested in the history of perfumes.

Via Nathalie Pichard's Top Notes Newsletter