RT20b C. B. Woodworth & Son Perfume Stamp

Originally founded by a certain Dr Mitchel and Ezra Taylor in 1855 in Rochester, New York, the company was acquired in 1856 by Chauncey B Woodworth in association with Reuben A Bunnel. Bunnel had an interest in his own perfumery business – Campbell, Bunnel & Co – but by 1860 Woodworth had succeeded to the entire business. In its early years the company produced perfumery, soaps and toilet articles and also glassware for perfumes and related products.

By the end of the American Civil War, with branches in New York City, Chicago, Baltimore and New Orleans, the company was rated as one of America’s leading perfumers. To manage the increase in business Chauncey B would be joined by his son Chauncey C, in 1865 and the company’s name changed from Woodworth & Bunnel to CB Woodworth & Son. This leadership continued until 1890 when both the father and his oldest son (Chauncey C.) retired. By 1906 the senior members of the company were Frank E Woodworth, youngest son of Chauncey B, Frank K, son of Frank E and Chauncey C Woodworth Jr. It was still very much a family business but in recognition of the different family members then involved, the name was changed again to CB Woodworth’s Sons Company.

An 1897 advertising card for its famous ‘Blue Lilies’ fragrance shows that the company promoted itself as producing ‘Imperishable perfumes, triple extracts and toilet preparations’ and it is for these products as well as its vanity cases that it is best remembered.

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