Wilhelm Mülhens
Wilhelm Mülhens | |
|---|---|
 3rd Cologne Address Book 1797, Page 179: Wilhelm Mülhens in Klöckergasse | |
| Born | June 25, 1762 |
| Died | March 6, 1841 (aged 78) Köln, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, perfumer |
| Known for | Founder of the company that made the fragrance 4711 |
Wilhelm Mülhens (25 June 1762 – 6 March 1841) was a German perfumer and businessman who was the founder of the Mülhens company, known for the fragrance 4711.
Early life
[edit]Mühlens was born in Troisdorf, the sixth of eleven children of Jakob Mülhens and his wife Anna, née Volberg.[1] His life prior to 1796 is not well known.
Work
[edit]In 1803 Carlo Farina, who was not part of the famous cologne-producing family, fraudulently sold Mülhens that family's naming rights.[2]
In 1805 Mülhens was first recorded as a cologne manufacturer, later sold under the product name 4711 from 1881. After the Napoleonic wars his company also exported the cologne abroad, including Paris and Stralsund.
Legal case
[edit]In 1832 Mülhens was found guilty of abusing the name "Farina", and the 1803 contract was found to be void.[3] To continue operating under the name "Farina" in 1832 Mühlens's son, Peter Joseph Mülhens, took on a Farina from Mortara as a partner in the company for "office work and supervision of fabrication."
Death
[edit]Mülhens died in Köln on the 6 March 1841.
Gallery
[edit]-
5th Cologne Address Book 1822, Page 228: Wilhelm Mülhens (Mühlens) listed under the company Franz Maria Farina -
Letter from Wilhelm Mülhens on 3 February 1826 -
Letter from Wilhelm Mülhens on 21 October 1826 -
7th Cologne Address Book 1831, Page 261: Wilhelm Mülhens Glockengasse No.12
References
[edit]- ^ Home and Historical Society Troisdorf. Troisdorfer Köpfe
- ^ Stiftung Rheinisch-Westfälisches Wirtschaftsarchiv (RWWA) Abt.33, Köln: Original Akten Notar Flamm vom 19. August 1803 und Mülhens-Briefe.
- ^ 22. Mai 1832 Urteil des königlichen Landgerichts, 1. Civilkammer zu Cöln.
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| People | |
