Smith, Kline & French Co. Perfumes

SMITH, KLINE & FRENCH CO. of PHILADELPHIA. In 1830, John K. Smith opened his first pharmacy in Philadelphia. Over the years the Smith, Kline and Company favorably amalgamated with the French, Richard and Company because of their successful management decisions.

Merck's Market Report and Pharmaceutical Journal, Volume 2:

"FRENCH CAVE & CO PHILADELPHIA. The general line of business conducted by French Cave & Co Philadelphia is that of Perfumers and Manufacturing Chemists and Pharmaceutists [sic]. About one half of their capital is invested in the perfumery department which also employs about one half of their force. The firm is composed of Samuel H. French Jr. and Jos. Cave. The former is the youngest son of the late Clayton French who died a few years ago and who was the head of the late firm of French Richards & Co, the large drug house of Philadelphia. Samuel H. French Jr. learned the Drug business with Dr. L. Wolff and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1882, after which he entered the house of French Richards & Co, and in 1888 became a partner in that firm. 

Joseph Cave was Chemist and Perfumer with French Richards & Co. He is a native of England. He came to this country in 1869 and graduated at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1872, where he learned the business. He entered the employ of French Richards & Co of Philadelphia in 1870, and by his industry and devotion to the interests of the house, won his way to the position he occupies with that firm.  

French Cave & Co succeeded to the manufacturing department of the late firm of French Richards & Co (who retired from business in 1891) and continued the manufacture of the specialties made by that firm French's Perfumes being the most prominent and important. Their plant is located at 435 Arch St Philadelphia to which they lately moved from their former location at 16 and 18 North 10th St Philadelphia. They occupy three floors each about 135 feet deep besides office room which is on the second floor of same building. Their machinery is all modern and is run by electricity. The laboratory is fitted throughout with the latest improvements and all their processes requiring heat are done by steam so that the danger of fire is reduced to a minimum and the entire plant is lighted by electricity. 

In addition to manufacturing a full line of all the odors of perfumes in demand, French Cave & Co are the proprietors of French's 'Sweet Chimes Perfume' which is their leading specialty. This odor is very popular and the sales of it alone amount to about 4000 pints per annum. French's Toilet Water Essences for making Toilet Waters are another leading specialty of this house. They make this line in the following odors Essence of Violet Water, Florida Water, White Heliotrope Water, Lavender Water, Verbena Water, Bay Laurel for making Bay Rum, White Rose, Oil of Cologne, and Lilac Blossoms. They have a large and increasing demand for these essences from the drug trade in all parts of the country as these specialties are popular with the druggists for the ready production of Toilet Waters at a moderate cost.

 This firm are also the proprietors of French's Columbian Lavender Salts which are put up in an attractive style. The bottle is a new design the stopper being in the form of an eagle for which they own the patent from the United States Government. The goods of this house are put up in attractive form and are noted for excellence of quality. This firm manufacture their perfumes direct from the Imported French Pomades and use only the finest grades of Essential Oils and raw materials that can be obtained." 

In 1891, Smith, Kline and Company acquires French, Richards and Company, which provides the company with a greater portfolio of consumer brands. It changed its name to Smith Kline & French Laboratories to focus more on research in 1929.

Years later, Smith Kline & French Laboratories opened a new laboratory in Philadelphia; furthermore, it bought a laboratory called Norden Laboratories which was doing research into animal health to benefit their research in various other areas.

• 1891 Eskay
• 1891 Idealia
• 1891 Scottish Queen
• 1906 French’s Purity
• 1906 French’s Rose-Violet
• 1906 French’s Carnation Pink
• 1911 Blue Danube
• 1925 Artemis