rnate label with floral border and large spray of flowers in center. Personal appearance is one of the final frontiers in reenacting: buying the “right stuff” only takes money; but altering the way you look is quite a different affair. Not all of us—much as we might like—can wear period facial hair (although a lot more of us should than do); but something we can do without too much trouble is to dress our hair. They did: not many of us do. Not only does it change the way you look—and leave its mark on your caps and hats, a subtle but telling detail—it also changes the way we smell. Olfactory authenticity is just as important as any other kind….but is rarely considered. Pomade is a waxy compound which gives a shine to hair and keeps in place. A glance a any random handful of male cartes de visite will show its presence and effect.

Here is a mid-19^th century recipe:

“East India Pomatum; Pomade des Indes; or Pomade d'Orient. Take beef-suet, 3/4 pound avoirdupois; lard, 1/2 pound; pure bright beeswax, 2 ounces; finest annatto, 1 drachm; gum-benzoin in coarse powder, 3/4 ounce; and grain-musk, 6 to 8 grains; digest in a covered vessel set in a water-bath, with frequent agitation, for 2 or 3 hours. After repose, decant the clear portion, add of oil of lemon, 1 Imperial fluid drachm; oil of lavender (English), 1/2 fluid drachm; oils of cassia, cloves and verbena, each 10 or 12 drops; and stir the mass until it has somewhat cooled. Lastly, pour it into pots or bottles, and let it cool very slowly, and undisturbed. Very fragrant.”