Michael Edwards will release the 27th edition of his “fragrance bible”, Fragrances of the World 2011, in January. The new guide lists approximately 8000 fragrances (with over 900 new additions) classified by fragrance family, and includes over 900 niche fragrances from 60 perfume houses. The reference book is used by numerous retailers to help customers find fragrances they might like based on the scent(s) they already know and enjoy.
Also included in this year’s edition: images of scent notes provided by Givaudan. The book is $195 USD, or $175 if you pre-order at Fragrances of the World by December 15th. (via fragrancesoftheworld, moodiereport)
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I’ve been very tempted to buy one of these for several years but so many new releases get added each year I always tell myself, “next year”. So, should I get it “this year”?
I don’t know. Do you need to know what fragrance family a perfume is in that badly? I don’t, so can’t see owning a copy (unless I happened to find it very cheaply) although I do think his Perfume Legends is indispensable.
*blushes* Actually, I’m not really looking for information, just a big, glossy, pretty book about perfumes. The only “coffee table” book about perfume that I have to display is the one National Geographic put out years ago that has the laveder fields of Provence on the cover. If I can’t find a nice, chunky, pretty-pictures book, I’m going to have to break down and make one of my own!
Ooooh! Make one of your own – now THAT’S an idea. I vote for that. You’ll get to make it anyway you want and it’ll be a creative project to boot! Just imagine the possibilities.
Oh — well, this is not that! Great for pictures, although expensive: Perfume by Stamelman. Also the Roja Dove book, and Barille’s Book of Perfume. All of those better described in the reviews…
http://www.nstperfume.com/perfume-books/
browsed all of them, have some. Roja dove is the perfect coffee table bokk especially if most of your friends are not afficionados like us, just ordinary people who love a good scent here and there.
For perfumistas, this is like a children’s picture book. (still, good for revising the basics)
Perfect! Thanks so much. These sound just like what I’m looking for.
Ha! I just noticed my typo “laveder” – that’s how I sound after I’ve taken a big sniff of the stuff and my sinuses swell up! lol
You can get most of it for free here:
http://www.fragrancedirectory.info/usadirectory/
(hope that’s ok Robin!)
It’s absolutely ok. I don’t know how many scents they’ve got listed there now, but it’s true that it’s the same (actually, more) info for each scent. The user interface makes me insane, but hey, it’s free
Somebody posted this awhile back in some comments section (maybe it was you?) so thanks again! But like Robin said the user interface is rather frustrating for me.
At the Reference Library, scroll down to Fragrance Families, and then hit the ‘cross’ by families – this allows you to drill down to specific types of ‘woods’ (for example) to see the fragrances – the ref. lib is a real treasure, because each family is sub-divided – so don’t give up. You can fnd a fragrance by using Fragrance Brands, again at the ref. lib. page. I am so happy to find this again!
I wish his books were less expensive! Honestly! I love to have one but I’m just not willing to cut into my perfume $$ to buy a nearly $200 book! oh well.
I don’t need the information that badly either, and don’t think most consumers would find it that helpful (and the book is not really geared towards consumers anyway).
I know, Daisy! I thought of this too. Actually, this is sick, but every purchase I make I stop myself and say “do you need this or could this go to your perfume fund”? Even when I’m *grocery shopping*! :O
La Maroc, for a perfume enthusiast I’m not sure you could go too wrong as it sounds massively comprehensive. But I would prefer to sample a bit to see how readable it is. Personally I couldn’t read a mere list of notes. The only perfume books I have are the two editions of Tunin & Sanchez, the guide, and the glossy R. Dove one. i would love to have access to a bigger perfume library but i need to read a little first before buying and the physical shops here dont really stock any.
Actually, having looked at the site that is posted i dont think I would spend more than $30 – $40. The info is sparse, the pics (at least on the site) are nice.
Thanks for your input, Merlin. Looks like the Roja Dove one is going to the top of my holiday wishlist!
La Maroc, a nice feature of the Dove is the pics of the original classical perfume flacons, lalique, baccarat etc. When the flacons were true crystal art as opposed to mass plastic/glass kitch. As has been said it is not an in-depth study, nor did I find it really inviting an in-depth study. But a beautiful coffee table book for sure!
right on Daisy!
I’m waiting for the Kindle version…:-)
Ha…
I agree with Robin, Perfume Legends is a great perfume book
Of every perfume book I’ve bought, that is the one I have learned the most from….expensive, but worth it.
Hi! Does anyone know if this book is available in the UK? I’m currently trying to start my own fragrance shop (at the moment i’m selling on ebay from my own home) and think this book would be a great help!! I’ve searched on ebay and the only edition available is the 2007 one. I read a post on another article by a woman who swears by the 2008 edition (the post was made in 2008) when helping her customers but I really would like to get my hands on the 2011. I know I could buy from this site but at the moment it’s too expensive for me as i’m brand new to the business world.
Can anyone help?
This is a specialist sort of book — I’ve never seen it in a bookstore here, only online, and would guess it’s the same in the UK. I’d put an automatic search in eBay and wait patiently.