Article: Perfumed Writings

Since the Victorian era people’s senses have been enchanted with perfumed writings. Communications and messages of love, warm wishes and hope were often written on scented stationary or with scented ink. These intimate personal messages were often scented with floral or incense aromas which evoked memories of Victorian drawing rooms scented with sachets. Writing boxes were commonly found with floral filled fragrant notions tucked inside them to scent the papers. It was also during this era that soldiers battling the Crimean War were sent aromatic letters of encouragement from home.

Pleasant fragrant notes were not only for soldiers, other scented sentiments were also found in Valentines Day cards. This popular form of perfumed love notes continue on into modern day. On February 14, 1926 the New York Times printed an article titled: St. Valentine’s Old Spell Keeps Cupid at Work. The article pays tribute to “wonderful creations those valentines --- lacy, highly scented paper, adorned with plump cupids”. The same article also describes the importance of a love letter. The first step is described: “Sam purchased a sheet of gilt-edged letter paper and a hard nib pen, warranted not to splutter and proceeded to set down the story of his sentiments and emotions toward the fair Mary”. Both men and women of this era wrote love letters and it was something that warranted special writing implements and stationary.

Writings, poems, spells and delicately inked calligraphy were also found in antiquity times to be scented. These verses had certain elements of the text highlighted in red ink. Red inks in the 15th century were often produced by a plant resin known as Dragon’s Blood. It has very unique properties as well as exhibiting a pleasant earthy perfumed aroma. The resin is derived from various species of palm plants; it is also the same resin used to make incense. The Dragon’s Blood resin was often associated with having medicinal qualities in ancient Greek, Roman and Arab cultures. Metaphysical, spiritual, and religious writings were written with appropriate herbal scented inks which enhanced the intent as well as the meaning. Dragon’s Blood ink was associated with power or strength. Medieval folklore tells stories of treaties that were deemed of great importance were only signed with this special scented red ink.

Throughout history perfumed writings have been used in various ways. Taking a look back at some of these historical uses, the actual use of the scent was meant as a special touch, an added pleasant sensory experience. No matter what the scent is, it gives people a good feeling, as long as it is applied lightly. This is something that these past cultures knew about. Today, psychologists believe that scents are an integral part of the sensory encoding. No doubt that we can recall memories from just experiencing a smell, but do they actually assist us in memorization? One study titled: “Lemon Smell as a Memory Trigger” showed that using lemon scented paper did not make any significant improvements to one’s memory of a reading of a short passage. Published in Psychology Today magazine is a small article titled: Dollars and Scents. It relates information of businesses utilizing scents in the consumer environment to increase sales. Businesses are just now discovering this; they are now adding that special touch.

Perfumed writings are something special and thoughtful; it enhances the recipient’s experience. So, go ahead and send those aromatic wishes to family and friends.

References
Stephanie Hofland's and Rebekah A. Dieter's Experimental Paper, Psych-E: vol 1. Lemon Smell as a Memory Trigger, Dordt College.
http://www.psychology.siu.edu/psyche/archives/vol1/hofland.html

Dollars and Scents , By: Merritt, Layla J., Psychology Today, 00333107, Jun2006, Vol. 39, Issue 3

St. Valentine's Old Spell Keeps Cupid At Work, By: Allanson Shaw, New York Times Feb. 14 1926.