What's That Smell?

A DigitalNZ Story by Donna Robertson

The fragrant and the malodorous jostle for your nose's attention.

perfume, odour, smell

Image: Publicity photograph for Ashes of Roses cosmetics

Publicity photograph for Ashes of Roses cosmetics

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Newspaper

ON SMELLS AND SMELLING. (Daily Telegraph, 26 February 1886)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

FOUL SMELL. (Colonist, 17 August 1888)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

ABOMINABLE SMELLS. (Tuapeka Times, 26 May 1883)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

VILE SMELLS. (North Otago Times, 21 February 1878)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

SMELLING MISCHIEF. (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 September 1915)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

ANTI-SMELL SOCIETY. (Evening Post, 19 December 1935)

National Library of New Zealand

Newspaper

KILBIRNIE SMELLS. (Evening Post, 12 January 1891)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Oily, precious object causes stir in Wellington (News). "Does anyone still think this smells like perfume?" 23 September 2008

Oily, precious object causes stir in Wellington (News). "Does anyone still think this smells like perfume?" 23 September 2008

Alexander Turnbull Library

Newspaper

A Vulgar Odour (Southland Times, 21 March 1901)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Advertising photograph for Walker Perfumes showing perfume gift packs

Auckland Libraries

Image: Poster advertisement for 4711 carat perfume

Poster advertisement for 4711 carat perfume

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Shop display for Mischief Perfume

Shop display for Mischief Perfume

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Poster advertisement for 4711 carat perfume

Poster advertisement for 4711 carat perfume

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unusual articles for Christmas shoppers, woman holding large perfume bottle

Unusual articles for Christmas shoppers, woman holding large perfume bottle

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Head and shoulders portrait of Miss Valda Adams, holding a bottle of perfume

Head and shoulders portrait of Miss Valda Adams, holding a bottle of perfume

Auckland Libraries

Image: FASTIDIOUS EVE.��Creams, lotions, powders and perfumes are all employed to enhance her charm, retain the "milk and rose*" coipplexion, and the burnished sheen of her hair. (NZ Truth, 18 December 1930)

FASTIDIOUS EVE.��Creams, lotions, powders and perfumes are all employed to enhance her charm, retain the "milk and rose*" coipplexion, and the bur...

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Window display for the Opera House Pharmacy, 145 Manners Street

Window display for the Opera House Pharmacy, 145 Manners Street

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Showing a dark outline of a woman holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Showing a dark outline of a woman holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: 1/4 length portrait of a model lying down holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

1/4 length portrait of a model lying down holding a cosmetic bottle, for Sargood Son and Ewen 1940

Auckland Libraries

Image: Publicity photograph for Eau de Cologne scent by Colgate

Publicity photograph for Eau de Cologne scent by Colgate

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa