Brooke Martin
The scent of old books is a delightful blend of sweet and earthy tones, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and memories of past adventures. This unique aroma has been described as biblichor, with some candle companies attempting to recreate this comforting scent in their products. Several candles on the market claim to smell like old books, with some reviews noting that they capture the scent of aged paper, ink, and that unmistakable warm, bookish fragrance. Others note that certain candles smell like clean linen or peanut butter, rather than the traditional scent of old books.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Frostbeard Studio, Penn & Beech Candle Co., Armatuer, The Candle Lab, Assouline |
| Scent | Sweet, papery, peanut butter, vanilla, leather, musk, ink, aged paper, clean linen |
| Wick | Wood, cotton-paper |
| Wax | Soy wax |
| Weight | 11oz |
| Burning time | 80 hours |
| Burning instructions | Trim wick to 1/4" before each use. Burn no longer than 2-3 hours at a time. After use, cover with lid to reduce soot. Burn within sight on a heat-resistant surface. Keep away from kids, pets, and flammable objects. Discontinue use when 1/2" wax remains. |
| Customization | Penn & Beech offers the option to blend your own custom fragrance |
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What You'll Learn
Nostalgia and scent
The scent of old books is a delightful blend of sweet and earthy tones, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and transporting people to another time. This unique aroma is a combination of the ageing of a book's binding, the bookshelves that house them, and the types of organic materials used in older inks. It is a scent that many people love, yet it is hard to describe. The closest description is perhaps a sweet, papery fragrance.
The Penn & Beech Candle Co.'s Old Books scented candle claims to capture the essence of the smell of old books, offering a sensory experience that brings to mind treasured memories. Their collection features carefully crafted products, including candles, that are designed to evoke cozy reading nooks and nostalgic emotional triggers. The company also offers the option to blend your own custom fragrance to create an old book scent that is unique to your preferences. For instance, you can combine the old book aroma with a fruit-scented fragrance for something light and cheerful, or with a spice-scented fragrance for a zesty vibe.
Frostbeard Studio's Old Books candle is another popular option, described as having vanilla overtones that transform into a lovely, complex aroma when melted. The candle is hand-poured using soy wax, which is renewable, biodegradable, and vegan, and the fragrance oils are phthalate-free.
Armatuer's Smell Old Books candle also promises to evoke the scent of old books with its wood wick, which mimics the sound of a fireplace.
The Candle Lab's Old Books candle is another unique scent, described as leathery, musky, and slightly sweet, like the pages of an old book. It is hand-poured using a premium soy wax blend, pure fragrance oils, and cotton-paper wicks, ensuring a clean and even burn.
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The science of old book smell
The distinctive scent of old books is a delightful blend of sweet and earthy tones, often inducing memories of past adventures. But what creates this nostalgic aroma?
As a book ages, the chemical compounds used—the glue, the paper, the ink—begin to break down and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the source of the smell. Different materials will produce different VOCs, and the type and amount of VOCs emitted can help determine the overall condition and stability of the paper.
The International League for Antiquarian Booksellers notes that a common smell of old books is a hint of vanilla, which comes from lignin, a compound present in all wood-based paper. In addition to vanilla, old books can also smell of chocolate, coffee, smoke, or wood.
The scent of old books can also be influenced by the environment in which they are stored. For example, a deep leather or wood smell can come from the aging of a book's binding or the bookshelves it is kept on. Similarly, a book that has experienced water damage may smell of mold.
The unique scent of old books holds a special place in many people's hearts, evoking feelings of nostalgia and providing a connection to cultural and familial heritage.
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$7.06 $10.99
Candlemakers' offerings
Candlemakers have certainly caught on to the allure of the old book scent, with several companies offering candles that promise to evoke the comforting smell of aged paper, ink, leather bindings, and bookshelves. Here are some of their offerings:
Frostbeard Studio
Frostbeard Studio's "Old Books" candle is hand-poured in their Minneapolis shop using soy wax, fragrance oils, and cotton-paper wicks. The candle is designed to capture the sweet, papery scent of old books, with vanilla overtones adding complexity. The company also offers quick shipping and free replacements for any damaged items.
Penn & Beech Candle Co.
Penn & Beech's "Old Books" candle is part of a collection that aims to transport you to cozy reading nooks. The candle is hand-poured to order and features a blend free from heavy metals or other contaminants. The company also offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a "Buy Three, Get One Free" promotion. Additionally, they provide the option to blend your own custom fragrance, allowing you to create a unique old book scent.
The Candle Lab
The Candle Lab's "Old Books" candle is a unique scent that combines leathery, musky, and slightly sweet notes, reminiscent of the pages of an old book. Their 11oz candle is hand-poured using a premium soy wax blend, pure fragrance oils, and cotton-paper wicks, providing a clean and even burn for up to 80 hours.
Armatuer
Armatuer offers a wood wick candle that promises to evoke the scent of old books. Wood wick candles are known for mimicking the soothing sound of a fireplace, adding an extra sensory element to the experience.
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Customising your own candle
There are several companies that sell candles that smell like old books, including Frostbeard Studio, Penn & Beech Candle Co., Armatuer, and The Candle Lab. However, if you want to customise your own candle, Penn & Beech Candle Co. offers the option to blend your own custom fragrance to create an old book scent that suits your preferences.
To customise your own candle, you can start by choosing a wax type. Common wax types for candles include soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax. Soy wax is a popular choice for candle makers as it is natural, biodegradable, and has a long burn time. Once you have chosen your wax, you will need to select a wick. Cotton wicks are a popular choice as they are natural and provide a consistent burn.
Next, you will need to select your fragrances. To achieve an old book scent, you can consider using fragrances that mimic the smell of leather, wood, or sweet and earthy tones. You can also experiment with combining different fragrances to create a unique scent. For example, you can combine an old book scent with a fruit-scented fragrance for something light and cheerful, or with a spice-scented fragrance for a zesty vibe.
After you have chosen your fragrances, you will need to melt your wax and add the desired amount of fragrance oil. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct ratio of wax to fragrance oil. Once your wax is melted and your fragrances are added, you can pour the wax into your chosen container and insert the wick. Allow the wax to cool and harden, then trim the wick to the appropriate length before lighting your candle.
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Customer reviews
However, not all reviews are positive. Some customers have expressed disappointment with the Penn & Beech Candle Co.'s Old Books candle, claiming that it does not smell like traditional old books and has too much perfume essence. Armatuer's Smell Old Books candle has received mixed reviews, with one customer noting that it has a strong wood wick scent, reminiscent of a fireplace, but does not mention if it accurately captures the scent of old books.
Overall, it seems that while there are candles that attempt to replicate the scent of old books, the success of these candles varies according to individual customers' experiences and expectations. The complexity of the scent, which can include notes of leather, wood, vanilla, and floral undertones, may be difficult to capture accurately in candle form, leading to mixed reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several candles on the market that are designed to smell like old books. Frostbeard Studio, Penn & Beech Candle Co., Armatuer, and The Candle Lab all offer candles with this unique scent.
The scent of old books is often described as a blend of sweet and earthy tones, with hints of vanilla, paper, leather, and wood. It's a comforting and nostalgic aroma that can evoke memories of past experiences with books.
The smell of old books is often associated with significant life events, such as reading with a loved one or milestones from school. It can also remind people of their cultural or familial heritage. The scent can trigger feelings of nostalgia and encourage mindfulness by helping individuals connect with the past.
You can purchase these candles directly from the brand's websites or from authorized retailers. Be sure to check the brand's website for the latest information on where to buy their products.
Yes, if you enjoy the scent of old books, you might also like other candle fragrances that are warm, spicy, earthy, or sweet. Some brands even offer the option to blend your own custom fragrance to create a unique scent that's tailored to your preferences.
