Information for Soap-Makers
Hello, all;
I noticed a recent thread concerning making one's own shaving soap and thought to include some links to a few older works on the subject.
To be fair, the industry may have moved on in some respects since these books were written, but the history as well as the basic processes remain the same. If you are at all intrigued by the process of making soap then all of these works should prove interesting in some measure.
The first work, dating from 1896, is "The Art of Soap-making: A Practical Handbook of the Manufacture of Hard and Soft Soaps, Toilet Soaps, Etc." by Alexander Watt. This is a fairly complete manual for the would-be soap-maker, including all sorts of recipes and procedures. Do be warned: the recipes are for industrial quantities of the stuff! The Art of Soap-making: A Practical Handbook of the Manufacture of Hard and Soft Soaps, Toilet .. (Open Library)
Next up is a book from 1922: "Soap-making Manual" by E.G.Thomssen. This work is again aimed at someone interested in industrial production, but the processes and chemistry should be applicable on a smaller scale. Of particular interest will be the notes on pages 87-93 concerning shaving soaps. Soap-making manual (Open Library)
The last book concerns itself with scents and essences. This is "Manual for the Essence Industry" by Erich Walter, written in 1916. This work is again aimed at industrial production, having many chapters on essences for food and perfumes. Happily for us, the last portion of the book is devoted to essences as used in cosmetics and soaps. Recipes abound and might reasonably be adapted to small (experimental) batches. Manual for the Essence Industry (Open Library)
I do trust that you find these books of interest.
Cheers,
- Ignatz
