The Romance of Perfume II

Self-confessed romantic Kay Therese Jones continues her series, this time developing her theme that you can judge a perfume by its name.

‘You can’t judge a book by its cover.’ Really? This is nonsense, as I have proved many times, the most striking example in my possession being The Book of Romance, a truly glorious book to behold. Published in 1902 and sumptuously illustrated, it bedazzles with its heraldic blue cover depicting a knight in battle attire upon his steed, flanked by a pair of magnificent angels and a chalice held aloft, all etched in gold. Of course, the title helped—a clue to its chivalrous content, as did the gilt-edged pages, the price (exorbitant, so it must be good) and the cryptic hand-written inscription: “To Nellie … on her birthday from her (old) sweetheart … 23rd June 1903 …” No signature, just a set of initials in stylish strokes across the page. Oh, the mystery, the intrigue, the sheer romance—and all before you’ve read a single printed word. (Yes, the cost was excessive. So I put on my Shocking Pink dress reserved for such occasions, smiled sweetly at my husband—and voilà, he bought it for me. Wicked, I know, but it works every time.)  READ MORE

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ART, LITERATURE & MUSIC     BEAUTY, FASHION & GIFTS

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