"Solon Palmer - Perfumer & Chemist and wholesale & retail dealer in every description of perfumery, fine soaps, combs, brushes and toilet articles in general. Also Western Agent for Bazin's (late Roussel's) Perfumery."
"Solon Palmer, one of the oldest and most widely known perfumers of America was born at Alstead, NH on Feb 3, 1823 and died at his home 622 West End Avenue New York City on Monday Jan 19, 1903. Educated in the common schools of his native place, he engaged in teaching at the age of sixteen years taking a place in the local school. A year or two later, he removed to Ohio where for a time he had charge of a country school. While prosecuting advanced studies, he developed a taste for chemistry and this directed his attention to medicine as a life profession. When of age he had fully determined to become a physician and going to Cincinnati entered upon a course of medical study. The journey was made by crossing Pennsylvania by canal to Pittsburgh and thence down the Ohio River to destination.
Mr. Palmer began the manufacture of perfumes at Cincinnati in 1847. In this new line of effort, he derived marked advantages from his previous scientific training. Proceeding cautiously and satisfied with nothing short of substantial results, he soon developed a profitable business and his products became widely known. In 1870, he transferred his business to New York City, and entered upon the manufacture of perfumery in a large way at No 12 Piatt Street. Shortly afterwards, he removed his plant and offices to Nos 374 and 376 Pearl Street where he continued the manufacture up to the date of his demise, being at that time the oldest perfumer in the United States actively engaged in business, and the acknowledged dean of the perfume industry in America, although not widely known personally in the trade, as he did not make a practice of attending trade meetings.
Mr. Palmer was probably the first American to engage in the manufacture of perfumery on a commercial scale. From the beginning he was loyal to the retail drug trade and the perfumes and toilet soaps of his manufacture were made exclusively for this trade. He was a man of untiring energy and gave his personal attention unremittingly to his business down to the time of his fatal illness. Mr Palmer had a love for reading and study and ripened into a man of fine literary and artistic tastes with a mind well informed on a wide variety of topics.
In religious belief a Universalist, he became quite prominent in the affairs of that denomination. While residing in Cincinnati he was a member of the old Plum Street Congregation. Upon taking up his residence in the East he joined the Church of the Good Shepard in Jersey City, and for many years was President of its Board of Trustees. After establishing his residence in New York he joined the Church of the Eternal Hope. He took an active interest in charitable work, and at all times his means and counsel were at the service of the church he loved. and in which he shone as an exemplary member. He was a just and generous man. reverencing integrity in the spirit and conduct of others. and practicing it in his own.
His business career was a brilliant example of success honorably achieved and worthily employed. Mr. Palmer leaves a widow and two children. Mr. Eddy Palmer his partner and successor and Mrs. George Coon."
The issue of adding "after market" accents to rather plain perfume bottles to increase their value is not new to the world o...
