Caswell-Massey
Encyclopedia
Caswell-Massey is a personal care product company and apothecary shop founded in 1752 in Newport, Rhode Island, by a Scottish-born doctor named William Hunter. It is one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the United States and the world; ranked by the Wikipedia List of oldest companies as one of the oldest ongoing retail companies in the United States, and third oldest ongoing perfumer
in the world. The main product categories it sells are soaps, fragrances, lotions, shaving products and tools, other apothecary-style personal care accessories, and bath- and fragrance-related products for the home.
Originally called Dr. Hunter’s Dispensary, it began as an apothecary shop selling medical supplies. Dr. Hunter was active in the community, and gave the first lectures on anatomy and surgery in the Colonies in 1755. During that time, he also invented orange soda to help his customers take the medicines sold in his apothecary shop.
Newport, Rhode Island
, at the time, attracted the Colonies’ social elite who sought European-style luxuries. While serving his customers’ medical needs, Dr. Hunter also began to serve their cosmetic, personal care and hygiene needs as well. He imported fragrances from Europe and blended some 20 different colognes himself. The fragrances were numbered One through Twenty of which Number Six (created in 1789) was favored by George Washington and John Adams. Number Six, with its orange and bergamot scent, continues to be sold by the company to this day.
For approximately the first three quarters of a century the apothecary shop changed owners in the tradition of each retiring pharmacist handing over the keys to his apprentice. Dr. William Hunter was followed by Charles Feke who in turn was followed by Rowland Hazard in 1822. Hazard took Philip Caswell into partnership and the name became Hazard & Caswell. In 1833 following Rowland Hazard’s death the company became Caswell & Hazard. In the same year the first Caswell-Massey branch opened in New York City.
A fragrance called Jockey Club was introduced in 1840. This fragrance later is said to have been a favorite of President John F. Kennedy. It is also currently sold today. In 1860 Castile Soap is introduced, and was used by Abraham Lincoln after his inauguration in 1861. The company during that time also continued to make other apothecary products. Among General Custer’s personal effects at “the last stand” Battle of Little Bighorn of 1876 was a Caswell-Massey toothbrush, still on display at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
.
The company took its present name Caswell-Massey when then-owner John Rose Caswell formed a partnership with New York businessman William Massey in 1876. In that year the company operated only two stores, one in Newport and one in New York City. Over the next 30 years Caswell-Massey grew to 10 stores in New York City, but closed its Newport store in 1906.
In 1916, a 13-year old Ralph Taylor was hired to sweep the shop and clean bottles in the basement. Twenty years later, in 1936, Ralph and his younger brother Milton bought the company. Ralph and Milton would own Caswell-Massey for 53 years.
During the early-to-mid 1900s leaders in business, politics and the arts frequented the Caswell-Massey stores to fill their prescriptions and purchase personal care supplies. Customers included the Astors and Vanderbilts; Edgar Allan Poe, George Gershwin, Judy Garland, Katharine Hepburn and Greta Garbo. In 1926 a store is opened on Lexington and 48th in New York City, in what was then the Barclay Hotel, later InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel
. That location is currently the company’s flagship store, and is one of the oldest ongoing retail stores in New York City.
Almond Cold Cream soap was launched in 1940. Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower ordered it for the White House after he became president in 1953. Mamie Eisenhower was also a fan of “White Rose” perfume, writing a thank you letter to the company. During the second half of the century, customers also included Jacqueline Onassis (who bought avocado oil
) and the Rolling Stones.
Caswell-Massey currently has one retail store in the United States, sells products through its website and mail-order catalog, as well as through department stores and specialty shops. The store is located in New York City, NY. The website is www.caswellmassey.com
Perfumer
A perfumer is a term used for an expert on creating perfume compositions, sometimes referred to affectionately as a Nose due to their fine sense of smell and skill in producing olfactory compositions...
in the world. The main product categories it sells are soaps, fragrances, lotions, shaving products and tools, other apothecary-style personal care accessories, and bath- and fragrance-related products for the home.
Originally called Dr. Hunter’s Dispensary, it began as an apothecary shop selling medical supplies. Dr. Hunter was active in the community, and gave the first lectures on anatomy and surgery in the Colonies in 1755. During that time, he also invented orange soda to help his customers take the medicines sold in his apothecary shop.
Newport, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, at the time, attracted the Colonies’ social elite who sought European-style luxuries. While serving his customers’ medical needs, Dr. Hunter also began to serve their cosmetic, personal care and hygiene needs as well. He imported fragrances from Europe and blended some 20 different colognes himself. The fragrances were numbered One through Twenty of which Number Six (created in 1789) was favored by George Washington and John Adams. Number Six, with its orange and bergamot scent, continues to be sold by the company to this day.
For approximately the first three quarters of a century the apothecary shop changed owners in the tradition of each retiring pharmacist handing over the keys to his apprentice. Dr. William Hunter was followed by Charles Feke who in turn was followed by Rowland Hazard in 1822. Hazard took Philip Caswell into partnership and the name became Hazard & Caswell. In 1833 following Rowland Hazard’s death the company became Caswell & Hazard. In the same year the first Caswell-Massey branch opened in New York City.
A fragrance called Jockey Club was introduced in 1840. This fragrance later is said to have been a favorite of President John F. Kennedy. It is also currently sold today. In 1860 Castile Soap is introduced, and was used by Abraham Lincoln after his inauguration in 1861. The company during that time also continued to make other apothecary products. Among General Custer’s personal effects at “the last stand” Battle of Little Bighorn of 1876 was a Caswell-Massey toothbrush, still on display at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of the June 25, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn, near Crow Agency, Montana, in the United States. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern...
.
The company took its present name Caswell-Massey when then-owner John Rose Caswell formed a partnership with New York businessman William Massey in 1876. In that year the company operated only two stores, one in Newport and one in New York City. Over the next 30 years Caswell-Massey grew to 10 stores in New York City, but closed its Newport store in 1906.
In 1916, a 13-year old Ralph Taylor was hired to sweep the shop and clean bottles in the basement. Twenty years later, in 1936, Ralph and his younger brother Milton bought the company. Ralph and Milton would own Caswell-Massey for 53 years.
During the early-to-mid 1900s leaders in business, politics and the arts frequented the Caswell-Massey stores to fill their prescriptions and purchase personal care supplies. Customers included the Astors and Vanderbilts; Edgar Allan Poe, George Gershwin, Judy Garland, Katharine Hepburn and Greta Garbo. In 1926 a store is opened on Lexington and 48th in New York City, in what was then the Barclay Hotel, later InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel
InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel
InterContinental Barclay is a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.In 1926, the Vanderbilt family funded the building of The Barclay, a luxury hotel in Manhattan. The New York Central Railroad built the hotel on air-rights of its subsidiary the New York State Realty and Terminal Company...
. That location is currently the company’s flagship store, and is one of the oldest ongoing retail stores in New York City.
Almond Cold Cream soap was launched in 1940. Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower ordered it for the White House after he became president in 1953. Mamie Eisenhower was also a fan of “White Rose” perfume, writing a thank you letter to the company. During the second half of the century, customers also included Jacqueline Onassis (who bought avocado oil
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is an edible oil pressed from the fruit of the Persea americana . As a food oil, it is used as an ingredient in other dishes, and as a cooking oil. It is also used for lubrication and in cosmetics where it is valued for its regenerative and moisturizing properties.It has an unusually...
) and the Rolling Stones.
Caswell-Massey currently has one retail store in the United States, sells products through its website and mail-order catalog, as well as through department stores and specialty shops. The store is located in New York City, NY. The website is www.caswellmassey.com
External links
- "Our Company" section of corporate website, with background and historical timeline.