Ben Hur by Jergens c1904

In 1904, The Andrew Jergens Company of Cincinnati developed a Ben-Hur line of toiletries, capitalizing on the immense popularity of the Ben-Hur story. This line of toiletries was inspired by the title of the bestselling novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace, published in 1880. The novel had garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative and themes, leading to various adaptations and continued popularity into the early 20th century.

The Novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" (1880)

The novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, follows the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Jerusalem who is betrayed and falsely accused of attempting to assassinate a Roman governor. He is enslaved and sent to the galleys but eventually earns his freedom. Judah's journey intertwines with the life of Jesus Christ, making the story not only an epic tale of adventure and revenge but also one with deep religious and spiritual overtones. The novel was praised for its vivid descriptions, historical accuracy, and the way it portrayed the cultural and political climate of the time.

Broadway Production (1899)

The novel’s popularity led to a Broadway production that opened in 1899, produced by Marc Klaw and A.L. Erlanger. This stage adaptation was a spectacular affair, famous for its use of live horses in a chariot race scene, a feat that was revolutionary for its time. The Broadway production further cemented the story's place in popular culture, reaching audiences who may not have read the book.

Silent Film Adaptations

The story of Ben-Hur was adapted into silent films as well. The first adaptation, a short film in 1907, and the more famous and elaborate silent film released in 1925. The 1925 silent film, directed by Fred Niblo and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, starred Ramon Novarro as Judah Ben-Hur and Francis X. Bushman as Messala. This version was renowned for its grand scale and impressive special effects, particularly the chariot race scene, which remained one of the most thrilling sequences in cinema history for decades. The film was a major box office success and helped solidify the Ben-Hur story in the cinematic canon.

Ben-Hur Toiletries by The Andrew Jergens Company

The Andrew Jergens Company capitalized on the Ben-Hur craze by launching a line of toiletries in 1904. This line likely included products such as perfumes, soaps, and lotions, which were marketed to evoke the luxurious and exotic themes associated with the Ben-Hur narrative. The use of the Ben-Hur name helped these products stand out in the marketplace by associating them with the grandeur and popularity of the novel, the Broadway show, and later, the film adaptations.

Connection to Perfume

Perfume and other toiletry products are often marketed with themes of elegance, luxury, and exoticism, which align well with the dramatic and historical narrative of Ben-Hur. The Andrew Jergens Company's decision to use the Ben-Hur name was a strategic marketing move, leveraging the existing popularity and cultural impact of the story to appeal to consumers looking for products that evoked a sense of adventure, opulence, and historical romance. Another company, Brocard, a Russian perfumery, introduced their own version of Ben-Hur perfume in the early 1900s.

In summary, the launch of the Ben-Hur line of toiletries in 1904 was a clever marketing strategy that tied into the existing cultural phenomenon of the Ben-Hur story. It utilized the widespread recognition and thematic elements of the novel and its adaptations to create a distinctive and appealing brand identity for its products.

The Ben-Hur perfume line, launched by The Andrew Jergens Company in 1904, became a popular and affordable choice for consumers, often found at five-and-dime stores like Woolworth. Its widespread availability and affordability contributed to its enduring presence in the market, with the product continuing to be sold into the 1930s through prominent catalogs such as Sears and Montgomery Ward.

Promotional Strategies and Celebrity Endorsements

Connection to the 1925 Silent Movie

The popularity of Ben-Hur was significantly bolstered by the 1925 MGM silent film adaptation, which brought renewed attention to the brand. This connection was strategically utilized in marketing campaigns:

• Carmel Myers Advertisement: In 1925, actress Carmel Myers, who starred in the MGM film, advertised Ben-Hur perfume using innovative promotional materials. One notable example was a blotter impregnated with the perfume, which consumers could slip inside a waxed envelope for a lasting fragrance experience. This clever use of scented blotters allowed potential customers to sample the perfume in a novel and memorable way.

• Ramon Novarro Endorsement: In 1926, Ramon Novarro, who played the lead role of Judah Ben-Hur in the film, appeared in advertisements promoting the perfume. Dressed as his character, he appealed directly to American women, urging them to try Ben-Hur perfume. This endorsement from a popular film star added a layer of glamour and authenticity to the product, making it even more attractive to consumers.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women.

• Top notes:
• Middle notes:
• Base notes:

Fragrance Composition:

If beauty had a scent of its own, it would be that of Ben Hur, the 1904 fragrance that brings to mind the unforgettable allure of a rose garden. With subtle top notes of ylang-ylang and base notes of tonka, this sweet musky scent is always captivating and never overpowering.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes of ylang-ylang
• Heart notes of rose
• Base notes of tonka bean

Product Line:

The Ben-Hur line of toiletries by The Andrew Jergens Company became a significant success due to its wide range of products, affordability, and strong brand association with the popular Ben-Hur story. Launched in 1904, this line of products included an array of items infused with the Ben-Hur perfume, making it a comprehensive personal care collection.

Products in the Ben-Hur Line

The Ben-Hur collection was diverse, catering to various aspects of personal grooming and fragrance. Some of the key products included:

• Perfumes: The flagship product, Ben-Hur perfumes, were housed in various bottle designs over the years, reflecting the changing tastes and styles.

• Colognes: Lighter than perfumes, Ben-Hur colognes offered a refreshing fragrance option.
• Toilet Waters: These were lightly scented solutions used for personal hygiene and as a refreshing splash.

• Sachets: Fragrant sachets were used to scent drawers and closets, extending the Ben-Hur fragrance into home environments.

• Talcum Powders: These were used for personal hygiene, providing a soft fragrance and a smooth feel to the skin.

• Bath Salts and Bath Oils: Infused with the Ben-Hur fragrance, these products made bathing a luxurious and aromatic experience.

• Body Lotions and Cleansing Creams: These products combined skincare benefits with the appealing Ben-Hur scent.

• Personal Deodorants: Offering both fragrance and freshness, these products were essential for daily hygiene.

Bottles:

The Ben-Hur perfume line, introduced by The Andrew Jergens Company in 1904, enjoyed enduring popularity and evolved in its presentation from the 1920s to the 1950s. The variety in packaging and bottle design over the decades reflects changes in both aesthetic preferences and manufacturing technologies of the time.

Early Bottles (1920s-1930s)

• Frosted Glass: The earliest Ben-Hur perfume bottles were made of frosted glass, offering a soft, matte finish that suggested luxury and refinement.

• Delicate Blown Glass: Some bottles were crafted from delicate blown glass, which highlighted the craftsmanship and elegance of the product.

• Pressed Glass: These bottles were often more ornate, featuring intricate designs and patterns pressed into the glass. This technique allowed for mass production while still maintaining an elegant appearance.

• Stoppers: The early bottles typically came with either cork or glass stoppers, which added to the luxurious feel and ensured the perfume’s scent was well-preserved.

• Powder Boxes: Face powder boxes matched the graphics used on the boxes for the perfume and the gift sets.

• Miniature bottles from the late 1920s and into the 1930s have black bakelite screwcaps. This bottle was still used in the 1940s, but the difference is the graphics on the bottles and boxes, the 1920s-1930s used Art Deco themes.

Mid-Century Bottles (1940s-1950s)

• Plastic Screw Caps: By the 1940s and 1950s, the design of Ben-Hur perfume bottles had shifted to smaller bottles with plastic screw caps. This change likely reflected advances in manufacturing and materials, as well as a shift towards more practical and cost-effective packaging solutions.

Fate of the Fragrance:

The Ben-Hur line's popularity can be attributed to several factors:

• Affordability: Despite its association with luxury and opulence, the Ben-Hur line was made to be accessible to a wide audience, making it an affordable luxury.

• Brand Association: The Ben-Hur name, already well-known and respected due to the novel, Broadway production, and silent films, provided a strong, recognizable brand that consumers trusted and were drawn to.

• Product Range: The extensive range of products ensured that there was something for everyone, making it easy for consumers to incorporate the Ben-Hur fragrance into multiple aspects of their daily routine.

• Packaging and Design: The various bottles and packaging designs over the years kept the product line fresh and appealing, helping maintain consumer interest.

Historical Context

The early 1900s was a time when personal grooming products were becoming more widely available and popular. The development of the Ben-Hur line by The Andrew Jergens Company coincided with this trend, offering consumers products that were both practical and indulgent. The success of these products reflects the broader social trends of the time, including an increasing interest in personal hygiene and the use of scent as a form of personal expression.

Legacy

The Ben-Hur toiletries line is an early example of successful brand extension, where a well-known cultural product was used to market a wide range of consumer goods. Its success paved the way for similar marketing strategies in the future, where brands leverage popular stories or themes to create a distinctive identity and appeal for their products. The Ben-Hur perfume and its related products remain a fascinating chapter in the history of personal care and branding.

Ben-Hur by Jergens was discontinued sometime in the 1950s or early 1960s. However, it was recently brought back in a reformulated version by the Vermont Country Store.