The Evolution Of 4711: Cologne's Historical Fragrance

The history of 4711 cologne dates back to the 18th century when Johann Maria Farina, an Italian perfumer, moved to Cologne, Germany, and created a fragrance that he named after his new home: Eau de Cologne (water from Cologne). In the early 1800s, merchant Wilhelm Mülhens obtained the rights to produce and sell the cologne under the Farina name, and he also licensed the scent to numerous other people. However, legal action by the Farina family put a stop to this in 1835. Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand, then adopted the name 4711 for the company and its products, derived from the building number of the Mülhens' Glockengasse building.

The origins of 4711: a wedding gift of a secret recipe in 1792

The history of 4711, the world's first Eau de Cologne, began in October 1792 when Wilhelm Muelhens (or Mülhens) received a secret recipe as a wedding gift. This recipe was for an "acqua mirabilis" or "aqua mirabillis", a miracle water intended for both internal and external use. The gift was bestowed by a Carthusian monk, Franz Maria Farina, although some sources suggest the monk had no connection to the Johann Maria Farina family, whose name was to become integral to the 4711 story.

Soon after receiving the secret formula, Muelhens set up a small factory in the Glockengasse area of Cologne, Germany. He marketed his miracle water as a health drink, served neat or mixed with wine, and sold it as a remedy. The name "Eau de Cologne" or "Cologne Water" was inspired by the city of its creation, and the product quickly gained a reputation as a healing miracle water.

The house where Muelhens lived and worked was assigned the number 4711 during the French military occupation of 1794. The French general, frustrated by the city's disorganised layout, ordered that all houses be sequentially numbered. This number was to become synonymous with the brand, and the original 4711 Glockengasse building is now a popular tourist attraction.

In the early 1800s, Muelhens was keen to capitalise on the growing reputation of the Farina family's product. He obtained the rights to the "Farina" name and licensed the scent under this name, distributing it to a number of other people. However, this led to legal action from the Farina family, who accused Muelhens of using the name without authorisation. By 1835, all the licenses were voided, and the affiliated businesses were closed.

Muelhens' grandson, Ferdinand, later adopted the "4711" name for the company and their product, after the family was barred from using the "Farina" name again. The "4711" name was registered as a trademark in 1845, and the brand was officially born.

The name: derived from the house number assigned during the French occupation of Cologne

The name "4711" is derived from the house number assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building during the French occupation of Cologne in 1794. The French general in charge of the occupation, frustrated by the disorganised layout of the city, ordered that all houses be sequentially numbered. This new system of continuous house numbering was intended to end the confusing disorder of house naming and ultimately facilitate the quartering of troops. Previously, buildings were known by names only, which must have presented considerable disadvantages in everyday life. For example, a stranger to the town might be told to go to the "House of the Bear", and then on to the "House of the Whale", until they finally arrived at their destination, the "House of the Ox".

The introduction of a comprehensible numbering system was rational enough and aided orientation. The Glockengasse building, where Wilhelm Mülhens founded his small factory and began to manufacture his "aqua mirabilis", was given the number 4711. The address changed again when the continuous numbering system was abolished and replaced by a street-based system, but the name "Original Eau de Cologne" remained unchanged. Ironically, a classic German perfume owes its name to the French.

The original factory: established in Glockengasse, Cologne

The original factory of 4711 cologne was established in Glockengasse, Cologne, in the late 18th century. The origins of the fragrance can be traced back to 1792, when businessman Wilhelm Mülhens was given a secret recipe as a wedding gift from Franz Maria Farina, a Carthusian monk. The recipe was for an "aqua mirabilis" or "miracle water", intended for both internal and external use.

With this recipe in hand, Wilhelm Mülhens founded a small factory in the Glockengasse area of Cologne, Germany, and began to produce and market his miracle water. Initially, it was sold as a health drink, served undiluted or mixed with wine, and touted for its medicinal qualities. However, the French occupation of the city in 1794 brought about changes that would ultimately shape the destiny of the fragrance.

The French troops introduced a new system of continuous house numbering, aiming to bring order to the confusing disorder of house names. This reorganisation was intended to facilitate the quartering of troops. Wilhelm Mülhens' building in Glockengasse was assigned the number 4711, a designation that would become synonymous with his fragrance. The original Glockengasse building, where it all began, no longer exists due to urban renewal.

In the early 1800s, Mülhens sought to capitalise on the reputation of another well-known fragrance creator, Johann Maria Farina. He obtained the rights to the "Farina" name and licensed it for his own production and distribution. However, this led to legal disputes with the Farina family, which ultimately resulted in the voiding of the licenses and the closure of affiliated businesses by 1835.

Undeterred, Mülhens sent his son to Italy to find another Farina and re-establish the company under that name. This led to further legal entanglements, and eventually, Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand, adopted the "4711" name for both the company and the cologne. The "4711" trademark was officially registered in Germany's commercial register in 1875.

The Glockengasse address holds a significant place in the history of 4711 cologne, as it was the site of the original factory and the source of the iconic name. While the specific building where production began no longer stands, the legacy of that location remains an integral part of the brand's identity.

Medicinal uses: marketed as a health drink and remedy in the 18th century

In the 18th century, 4711 was marketed for its medicinal qualities. It was sold as a health drink, served undiluted or mixed with wine. In 1799, Mülhens sold his ‘aqua mirabilis’ – healing miracle water – as ‘Cologne Water’, with the label: ‘Franz Maria Farina – Klöckergasse No. 4711 in Cöln a. R.’.

In 1810, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the disclosure of the recipes of all internally administered pharmaceutical products, which included 4711. To protect the secret recipe, the product was hastily redesignated as a remedy for external use only. The manufacturer declared it a stimulating tonic, to be used for aroma-therapeutic purposes.

Trademark: registered in 1845, the 4711 name was appropriated by Ferdinand Mülhens

The history of 4711 Eau de Cologne dates back to the 18th century when Johann Maria Farina (1685-1766) relocated from Italy to Cologne, where he began to manufacture and sell an "eau de cologne" that quickly became popular. In the early 1800s, Wilhelm Mülhens, a merchant, was interested in capitalising on the cologne and the Farina reputation. Legend has it that he was given the secret recipe for "aqua mirabilis" (miracle water) by a Carthusian monk as a wedding gift in 1792.

Mülhens obtained the rights to produce the cologne and licensed the scent under the Farina name. However, legal disputes with the Farina family led to the closure of the licensed businesses. Mülhens' son then went to Italy and found another Farina, establishing a company under that name once again. This resulted in more legal action, and in 1881, Wilhelm Mülhens' grandson, Ferdinand Mülhens, was legally barred from using the Farina name.

As a result, Ferdinand Mülhens appropriated the "4711" name for both the company and the cologne. The name was derived from the building number assigned to the Mülhens' Glockengasse building in 1796 by Daurier, the French commander of the occupying forces. The unique numerical trademark was the result of French modernisation efforts during their occupation of Cologne, which included a new system of continuous house numbering. This was intended to end the confusing disorder of house naming and ultimately facilitate the quartering of troops.

In 1845, the "4711" name was registered as a trademark, and the brand and logo were created. The original Glockengasse building associated with the number no longer exists due to urban renewal, but the 4711 trademark has endured and remains a popular German fragrance.

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