A Romance of Perfume Lands, or the Search for Capt. Jacob Cole with Interesting Facts about Perfumes and Articles Used in the Toilet

Boston: Clifford & Co, 1881. Second edition. A highly unusual novel, apparently written to advance the trade of the "Messrs. Clifford & Co, dealers in Perfumery and Toilet Articles". Advertisements for a variety of trades, backing onto many of the text pages. Each port of call presents an opportunity to discuss another item of toiletry. On reaching New Orleans, they were especially interested to see the manufacture of "Cotton Seed, Peanut, Benne and Caster Oils". These were preferable to animal oils as hair pomades of animal fat contribute to baldness- "It is the heating of the head which causes the falling off of the hair...". The chapter about Sydney visits the "Orangery", owned by Richard Hill, Esq. and goes into details about the commercial products derived from oranges. (George Bennett, in his book "Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia..." 1860, cites Richard Hill and his Orangery in New South Wales, obviously the source of the author's information). When the travellers encounter eucalyptus trees, there are details about the commercial products derived from them. The novel travels the world in a similar vein. Very unusual. Not in Muir or M&Mc. Also includes Hawaii, India, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, New Orleans, etc.

Small 8vo, (viii pp adverts for Boston area businesses, including the pastedown), viii, (2pp adverts), 300pp, 6pp ads, 31 b&w wood-cut ills in text. Title page printed in red, blue and black. Green cloth with gold stamped and designs & illustrations on front cover and spine. Spine tips a little rubbed, otherwise very good condition.