"This Re-enactment Question Stinks!"

[corsair2k3]

Okay, so if I don't want to reek of aqua-velva or irish spring when I strut my stuff among the masses...

I reckon a pirate might have doused himself with captured "stinkum"--if for no other reason but the novelty

Does anyone have any links to sites that provide period perfume/cologne formulations?

Thanks in advance...

The Corsair

[HBlackthorne]

I have heard of people who put cedar or pine in their "garb bags". Further some would use incense like Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, etc. Look at what Pirates were around wood, tar, spices,.....

[jendobyns]

Okay, so if I don't want to reek of aqua-velva or irish spring when I strut my stuff among the masses...

I reckon a pirate might have doused himself with captured "stinkum"--if for no other reason but the novelty

Does anyone have any links to sites that provide period perfume/cologne formulations?

Thanks in advance...

The Corsair

One place to start could be Sally Pointer's "The Artifice of Beauty". She covers a fairly broad range of history, naming a bunch of sources. There is also a group called "Early Perfume" on yahoo groups. They don't appear to be very active lately, but there is good information in the archives if you care to dig a bit.

Also look at period housekeeping manuals and cookbooks. They frequently cover that sort of thing. If you surf Katie Cannon's blog, she gives sources for the recipes she features. Have a good rummage 'round here: http://www.agelessartifice.com/blog/about/

Given the huge quantities of some of the receipts, I have opted to buy Katie's products and have been quite happy. Although painting my face in zinc (a better option than lead) is still rather strange.

[jendobyns]

Um, after rummaging around a bit on Katie's blog, I found this: http://www.agelessartifice.com/blog/category/recipes/page/20/ So smelling like rosewater, wine and cinnamon/cassia seem to be acceptable.

A couple of pages back (newer receipts) there is also one for powder. It's rather violet scented. I have the perfumed powder. It doesn't sit on the skin like modern talc based powders, as it tends to move around a bit, but it does smell nice.

[Mission]

Well they used turpentine quite extensively in various medical treatments... (There's a piratey scent for ya'.) Somehow I doubt it caught on with the fops and ladies, though.

[jendobyns]

Um, after rummaging around a bit on Katie's blog, I found this: http://www.agelessar...es/page/20/ So smelling like rosewater, wine and cinnamon/cassia seem to be acceptable.

A couple of pages back (newer receipts) there is also one for powder. It's rather violet scented. I have the perfumed powder. It doesn't sit on the skin like modern talc based powders, as it tends to move around a bit, but it does smell nice.

That should be: http://www.agelessar...es/page/20/

Remove the space and "So" at the end if you click on the first link and it doesn't work for you.

[Fox]

Kidd and co captured a whole heap of myhrr, then used it to caulk the Adventure Galley because they'd run out of pitch...

[Coastie04]

http://www.tarsmell.com/products.html

They've got some pine tar soap and hand cream (bottom of the page). I've used the soap before and it's a pleasant pine tar smell and does work in salt water too (just in case you want to get really authentic for a reenactment, or the shower facilities are just too crowded). You can also get some Stockholm tar to spread liberally on your 'work' garb for that extra authentic look.

Arrrgh!