Seamus Hammond
In 1912, Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born perfume maker from Manchester, England, boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic as a first-class passenger. Saalfeld was 47 years old and carried with him a leather satchel filled with perfume samples. The American perfume market was booming at the time, and Saalfeld may have planned to sell his fragrances in New York and other major cities. He survived the sinking of the Titanic but left his luggage behind. Of the 65 vials that Saalfeld packed in his luggage, 62 were recovered from the ocean floor, along with the leather portfolio in which they were transported.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Adolphe Saalfeld |
| Profession | Perfumer, chemist |
| Age when boarded the Titanic | 47 |
| Place of origin | Near Leipzig, Germany |
| Place of residence | Manchester, England |
| Class | First-class passenger |
| Number of perfume vials in his luggage | 65 |
| Number of vials recovered from the ocean floor | 62 |
| Type of luggage | Leather satchel/pouch/portfolio |
| Contents of the luggage | Perfume samples, two wallets, essential oils |
| Scent of the perfume | Flowery, reminiscent of lavender and roses |
| Status of the vials | Most were found intact, a few had broken open |
| Display status | Never been on public display |
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What You'll Learn
The life of Adolphe Saalfeld
Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born Jew, was a perfume maker and chemist from Manchester, England. Diversifying into perfumery, he modelled some of his fragrances on the bestsellers of the day. He visited Grasse, the European centre of the essential oil business, many times. At the age of 47, he boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic as a first-class passenger, with a return ticket for cabin C-106. He carried with him a leather satchel filled with 65 perfume samples, intending to sell them in New York, where the American perfume market was booming.
Saalfeld survived the sinking of the Titanic and was rescued by the Carpathia, but he left his leather bag behind. In it were two wallets with over sixty phials of assorted fragrances and essential oils. The bag was recovered in 2001, nearly 89 years after the ship sank. Of the 65 vials, 62 were recovered and are not on public display.
In his diary, Saalfeld wrote about his experience on the ship:
> "I just had an hour’s roaming about on this wonderful boat. I liked my cabin very much – it’s just like a bed-sitting room and rather large. They are still busy finishing the last things on board."
After departing from Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland, he wrote to his wife:
> "Dear Wifey, After a fair night’s rest and an excellent breakfast I am enjoying a promenade in glorious weather. The wind is fresh and the sea moderate, but on this big boat one hardly notices any movement."
Adolphe Saalfeld passed away in 1926 at the age of 61.
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The American perfume market in the early 1900s
Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born perfume maker who settled in Manchester, England, boarded the Titanic with a bag containing over sixty phials of assorted fragrances and essential oils. He intended to sell his fragrances to department stores in New York and other major cities, as the American perfume market was booming at the time.
In the early 1900s, the American perfume market was undergoing significant changes. Perfumes were initially considered a luxury item, restricted to wealthy buyers who used them to mask body odours by applying them directly to clothing and handkerchiefs. However, with advancements in synthetic scent creation and scent extraction technologies, perfumes became more affordable to produce and purchase. As a result, they started to become more accessible to a wider range of consumers. This shift was also influenced by the introduction of name-brand cosmetics and hair products infused with fragrances, such as powders, pomades, creams, lotions, and shampoos, which were steadily making their way onto the shelves of American pharmacies.
The early 1900s also witnessed the establishment of prominent American perfume companies, including Solon Palmer, Richard Hudnut, and Colgate, known for its Cashmere Bouquet-scented products. Caswell-Massey, one of the oldest American soap and toiletries companies, introduced the well-known fragrance Jockey Club in 1840. The success of Frenchman François Coty's line of fragrances in the American market during the 1920s further transformed the industry. Coty revolutionised perfume packaging by collaborating with jewellery designer René Lalique to create exquisite bottles that enhanced the perceived value of the product.
During this period, the perception of fragrances for men also began to evolve, albeit at a slower pace compared to women's fragrances. Before the early 1900s, men's scents were typically limited to traditional barbershop aftershaves like Bay Rum and Florida Water, and even then, most men preferred unscented options. However, World War II brought about a shift in men's grooming habits. The emphasis on neat and clean grooming during military service led to a growing acceptance of grooming products among men, including scented options. By the early 1950s, iconic male fragrances such as Aqua-Velva, Seaforth!, Old Spice, and Canoe gained popularity.
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The discovery of Adolphe Saalfeld's luggage
Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born Jew who settled in Manchester, England, was a perfumer and chemist. In 1912, he boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic as a first-class passenger, carrying a leather portfolio filled with perfume samples. Saalfeld, who was 47 at the time, intended to capitalise on the booming American perfume market by selling his fragrances to department stores in New York and other major cities.
Saalfeld survived the sinking of the Titanic, but he left behind his leather bag, which contained over sixty phials of assorted fragrances and essential oils. The bag travelled two and a half miles down to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where it remained for almost 89 years. In 2001, a salvage expert named Dik Barton and his diving crew set out to recover artefacts for an exhibition. They discovered Saalfeld's small leather pouch, which immediately stood out to them. Upon opening the pouch in a laboratory, the crew was greeted by a scent reminiscent of lavender and roses.
Out of the 65 vials that Saalfeld packed in his luggage, 62 have been recovered from the ocean floor, along with the leather portfolio in which they were transported. The perfume vials have never been on public display, but some people have had the opportunity to view and smell them in museums. The discovery of Adolphe Saalfeld's luggage provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of perfumery in the early 20th century and offers a unique connection to the tragic story of the Titanic.
The leather satchel, bearing Saalfeld's name, was found to be crumbling but intact after nearly nine decades on the seafloor. Most of the perfume vials were also found to be unbroken, with some possibly still containing remnants of Saalfeld's fragrances. This discovery sheds light on Saalfeld's ambitions as a perfumer and adds a layer of complexity to the stories of survival and loss associated with the Titanic. The artefacts recovered from the wreck site, including Saalfeld's perfume samples, serve as a tangible link to the past and offer a unique perspective on the personal stories of those who were aboard the Titanic.
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The contents of the leather satchel
The leather satchel that belonged to Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born perfume maker from Manchester, England, contained 65 vials of assorted fragrances and essential oils. Saalfeld boarded the ill-fated RMS Titanic in 1912 as a first-class passenger, carrying with him a leather portfolio filled with some of his most recent perfume samples.
At the time, the American perfume market was booming, and Saalfeld, a chemist by trade, sought to diversify into perfumery and sell his fragrances in New York and other major cities. He modelled some of his perfumes on the bestsellers of the day, such as La Rose Jacqueminot, which may have been inspired by the scent of lavender and roses.
The leather satchel was recovered from the Titanic's wreck site in 2000, bearing Saalfeld's name. Remarkably, after nearly nine decades on the seafloor, the bag still contained his perfume samples. A few vials had broken open, but most were found to be intact, with some even retaining a faint aroma. Of the 65 vials packed in his luggage, 62 were recovered and have never been on public display.
The discovery of Saalfeld's perfume vials provides a unique glimpse into the world of Edwardian perfumery and the ambitions of a man who sought to make his fortune in the American perfume market.
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The preservation of the perfume vials
The story of Adolphe Saalfeld, a German-born perfume maker from Manchester, England, is fascinating. Adolphe boarded the Titanic with a bag of perfume samples, hoping to strike it rich in New York. Unfortunately, he left his samples behind when the ship sank, and they remained at the bottom of the ocean for 89 years. Of the 65 vials in his luggage, 62 were recovered, and some may still contain traces of his fragrances.
To ensure the preservation of the perfume vials and their precious contents, several measures can be taken:
Storage Location
Keep the perfume vials in a dark, dry, and cool location. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or any source of light, as light can break down the scented liquid's composition and alter its fragrance. A closet or a hallway closet is ideal, as these areas generally have consistent temperatures and are shielded from light. Avoid storing them in the bathroom or kitchen due to temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Original Packaging
Store the perfume vials in their original packaging or box whenever possible. The original box provides an extra layer of protection from light and physical damage. Additionally, the cardboard boxes are designed to maintain the integrity of the aromatic elixir within.
Consistent Temperature
Ensure that the storage location maintains a consistent temperature. Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of the perfume. Avoid placing the vials in very cold refrigerators or freezers, as this can damage the perfume. Instead, opt for a room with a consistent, moderate temperature.
Prevent Oxidation
Minimise the exposure of the perfume to oxygen as much as possible. Keep the caps on the bottles tightly secured. Avoid shaking the bottles, as this can introduce unwanted oxidation through bubbles and disrupt the delicate chemical bonds within the fragrance.
Handle with Care
Perfume bottles, especially antique ones, can be fragile. Avoid placing them on high shelves to prevent accidental damage from falling. When displaying the vials, consider using low shelving to reduce the risk of breakage.
By following these guidelines, the perfume vials and their contents can be preserved for a more extended period, allowing future generations to appreciate the fragrances created by Adolphe Saalfeld.
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Frequently asked questions
Agolph Saalfeld, a German-born perfume maker from Manchester, England, boarded the Titanic with 65 vials of perfume samples in his luggage.
Yes, 62 of the 65 perfume vials that Saalfeld packed were recovered from the ocean floor.
No, the perfume vials have never been on public display. However, some people claim to have seen the perfume vials at a museum in Victoria, BC.
