Florida Water

Florida Water is an American version of Eau de Cologne, or Cologne Water. It has the same citrus basis as Cologne Water, but shifts the emphasis to sweet orange (rather than the lemon and neroli of the original Cologne Water), and adds spicy notes including lavender and clove.

The name refers to the fabled Fountain of Youth, in St. Augustine, St. Johns county, Florida, as well as the "flowery" nature of the scent.

In the Americas

According to current trademark holders, Lanman & Kemp Barclay, Florida Water was introduced by the New York City perfumer (and founder of the original company) Robert I. Murray, in 1808. In 1835 Murray was joined by David Trumbull Lanman and the firm became Murray & Lanman, then David T. Lanman and Co., and in 1861 became Lanman & Kemp. The company states that their product, now sold under the Murray & Lanman brand, still uses the original 1808 formula, and that the current label is also a slightly modified version of the 1808 original.

Florida Water was regarded as a unisex cologne, suitable for men and women alike. Victorian etiquette manuals warned young ladies against the "offensive" impression made by a strong perfume, but Florida Water and Eau de Cologne were recommended as appropriate for all, along with sachets for scenting the linen and fresh flowers in the corsage. [The Woman's Book, Vol 2, various authors, 1894, page 354] Large quantities were also used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave. In the 1880s and 1890s Murray & Lanman Florida Water was advertised as "The Richest of all Perfumes" and "The most Popular Perfume in the World."

Like other colognes of the era, Florida Water was valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and could be used as a skin toner or as what we would now call a "body splash". It was also used as a toilet water (eau de toilette), by adding it to the bath or wash-water.

In China

Florida Water (Template:Lang) has also been manufactured in Hong Kong since the turn of the 20th century, the most famous of which is the hundred-year-old Kwong Sang Hong "Two Girls" Brand of Hong Kong. Once a common household item throughout Hong Kong, particularly as a refreshing topical application on skins during summer months, "Two Girls" Florida Water remains moderately popular as a 'retro' toiletry product in Hong Kong and southeast Asia, complete with elaborate, nostalgic packaging designs.<ref>For example, see the Hong Kong-based Two Girls website</ref>

After the Communists took over mainland China in 1949, private cosmetic companies were all nationalized, brand names such as "Liu Shen" (Template:Lang), "Maxam" (Template:Lang) and "Butterfly" (Template:Lang) were then created and made popular. However, the formulations in these products can be quite different from Murray & Lanman and Two Girls.

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/florida-water-was-created-by-a-white-man-in-1808.2237633/

• This spiritual water that black people love so much was created by a white man. Solange promoted this PRODUCT in a song that was supposed to be about Black power and pride and excellence.

"Lanman & Kemp was founded at 313 Pearl Street [New York City] in 1808 by Robert J. Murray (d. ca. 1854), a Quaker merchant and member of the family for which Murray Hill is named. His grandfather, Robert Murray (1721-1786) had converted to the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania and with his wife Mary Lindley Murray and brother John Murray (1737-1808) moved to New York in 1753. The Murrays became extremely wealthy as merchants during the boom that accompanied the Seven Years War but were tainted by Toryism after the Revolution. Lindley Murray (1745-1826), who returned to England and became famous as a grammarian, was Robert J. Murray's uncle. His father, John Murray, Jr. (1758-1819) remained in New York as a merchant and was active in Quaker affairs, including abolition and the care of the poor.

Lanman & Kemp engaged in the wholesale drug trade, buying and selling materia medica throughout the United States and worldwide. They sold their own patent medicines as well as those of other producers. Their most popular product was "Florida water," an all-purpose toilet water touted for cosmetic and restorative qualities, its name associated with Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth in company advertising. Florida water was introduced by Robert Murrary on February 14, 1808 and is still sold under its original brand. Lanman & Kemp also dealt in opiates, medicinal and culinary herbs, spices, liquors, flavorings and perfumery extracts, paint and pigments, medical apparatus and glassware. In addition, they acted as purchasing agents for overseas clients and traded in retail shop fixtures, books, guns, harness, and sewing machines.

Lanman & Kemp enjoyed a very large export and re-export business, particularly with Latin America, where David Lanman had traveled and retained a wide circle of correspondents. The firm employed traveling agents who covered the territory, taking orders, and also took direct orders by mail. The firm was also a large importer of raw materials from Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean, particularly opium bought through Turkish merchants. This import-export business was financed through London banking houses."

Last edited: Mar 17, 2019