Lightyears Collection
Fritzsche Brothers

Click on image to enlarge Corriander essential oil, from Fritzsche Brothers, division of Schimmel & Co.

Fritzsche Brothers (or Fritzche Brothers, as it is sometimes spelled) was established on August 28, 1871, at 62 Cedar Street, New York City, as a subsidiary of chemical maker Schimmel & Co., of Leipzig, Germany, for the purpose of importing and selling essential oils.

In 1894, Schimmel sent to America Frederick Henry Leonhardt, to give Fritzsche's non-technical president, Carl Brucker, needed technical assistance. Leonhardt, known as "Fritz," became a U.S. citizen in 1904. In 1934, when Brucker's successor, F.E. Watermeyer, died, Leonhardt became president. He held this position until 1953 when he surrendered the presidency to his vice president, John H. Montgomery, and assumed the position of chairman of the board. Thus Leonhardt's career with Fritzsche Brothers spanned a period of over 60 years.

In the 1920's, it was Leonhardt who arranged for Ernest Guenther to undertake his world travels and studies which resulted in Guenther's classic, 6-volume text, The Essential Oils, published in 1947.

The issue in the essential oil business is the uniformity and reliability of the oil itself. Guenther sent back samples to Fritzsche of properly collected and processed oils from all over the world, a task which greatly advanced the science and helped dealers sort out the genuine from the tainted or spurious.

In 1952, the year before he retired from the presidency, Leonhardt sanctioned the purchase by Fritzsche Brothers of Dodge & Olcott. In 1963 the firm was renamed Fritzsche, Dodge & Olcott. In 1980, Fritzsche, Dodge & Olcott was acquired by chemical giant BASF. Ten years later, in 1990, BASF sold Fritzsche, Dodge & Olcott to Givaudan.

• --, 12/23/2023. Frederick Henry Leonhardt was my gran. I knew Dr. Gunther when I was a child. Watermeyer and my Grandfather of Poppy as I called him was a very loving man.
  

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• DR JOHN RUSSEL, 06/16/2023. I HAVE A FRITZECHE BROTHERS, INC
  LABELED BOTTLE OF
  OIL ALMOND SWEET U.S.P.
  (EXPRESSED) DOMESTIC
  W/ AN 11 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER.

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• Chris West, 04/25/2023. My Grandfather was John H Montgomery

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• linda Reitz, 08/09/2022. My grandfather , Christian Philip Reitz was employed by Friz, Bros in Germany and then was was friend of Leonhardts' and was asked to come to the US in the late 20's. he was a flavor chemist, the developed the flavor for Fruit Stripe gums in his lab. My father Ralph, was give the middle name Leonhardt for the admiration he had for his friend. I have many pictures of the celebrations the company had over the years. as a little girl, I remember Opa, coming home from the city to Long Island everday on the 6 pm train, the whistle would blow and I knew to walk to the corner and meet him for the walk home.
  

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• Richard Merrill, 06/08/2022. I left Norda Chemical in 1970 with 7 years experience in still operation. Started Fritzche Bros, Clifton, East Hanover, ran stills for 35 Years. FD&O, BASF, Givaudan. Building 2 East Hanover, specialty room. Extractions, fractionations. Always volunteering for OT in liquid compounding down in building 6. I loved it there, hated the day that I had to walk out
  
  

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• Darlene Potocnik, 01/28/2022. I had the pleasure of working for Fritzsche Dodge & Olcott inc In the billing dept. For 3 years 1981-1984 till they moved to Clifton Nj…awesome company

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• Joe Marcus, 12/15/2021. I have from my dad’s phRmacy base ment several bottles of product that must be at least 100 years old. They are oils of cassia, cajeput, coriander, andpimenta. Could these be of any value.
  
  

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• Paula Biggs, 09/15/2021. I have found a few amazing old bottles from Fritzsche Brothers Inc . Thank you for the history on the company you have helped me date the bottles.
  
  

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• Maryann Scocchio, 06/15/2021. Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Fritzsch Brothers New YORK, August 28 1871 - 1921
  My Dad was employed by George Leuders, then Monsanto

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• Chris jensen, 10/30/2020. I have just acquired for resale a sterling silver letter opener, made by George W. Shiebler of NYC for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the company of Fritzsche Brothers, dated 1896. It is quite ornate, a fascinating piece of the company's early history for anyone interested. Pictures are available upon request.
  
  

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• John Bengivenni, 10/30/2020. I have a book called Fritzsche Brothers Practical Guide for manufacturer of liquors
  Mew York LEIPZIG 1886
  
  Does this have any value?

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• LETLE JACK MYERS, 08/17/2020. I have a brown bottle like the one shown. It has the cork stopper.
  Stock #1131000
  OIL CEDARIMMERSION U. S. P.
  RAGENT GRADE 1oz.
  Does this bottle have any value and can you tell me a bit of history on it?
  THANKS

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• Cion Rhiney, 08/10/2020. I just found this today at a thrift store. It's pretty cool! It's a background music film soundtrack for, I guess a trade film called "Essential Oils of the Mediterranean"
  (a first edition limited to 1000 copies). A Fritzsche Brothers, Inc. Production. Photographed and Edited by Ernest Guenther, Ph, D, Narrated by Robert Hite. It doesn't list who's doing the music, but I really think it's interesting. https://www.discogs.com/Unknown-Artist-Essential-Oils-Of-The-Mediterranean/release/3334968
  
  

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• Amanda H., 07/22/2020. Mr. Ernest Guenther was my great great uncle. I have always been fascinated by his travels around the world. One of my most prized possessions are his binoculars which went on his travels with him. I am trying to learn more about him and would love to hear from anyone if they have any photos or videos from his safaris.
  
  

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• Roland Abate, 06/18/2019. I worked at the Fritzsche Dodge & Olcott Clifton, NJ facility from 1973 thru the mid 1990s. Maybe I could help identify the person in your photo.
  Roland
  

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• Roland Abate, 06/18/2019. Regarding your inquiry about the picture of the lab at 3rd Street in Clifton I may be able to help identify the individual.
  I worked at FD&O 3rd Street from 1973 thru the mid 1990s I was the last plant manager for that facility before moving to Easy Hanover, NJ
  Regards,
  Roland

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• Susan kalage, 06/18/2019. I have about 4 bottles of Fritzsche brothers inc ,some empty some haveoil in them. They are numbered underneath we 80-56 anchor in the middle. What do I do with them
  
  

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• Nancy Zalikowski, 03/18/2019. Back in the early 1970’s I received a small sample bottle of what I was told was a sample of a new perfume. I absolutely loved the smell and have kept the bottle all of these years...and yes, you can still smell this wonderful fragrance. I was curious to find out something about this bottle that has the name FRITZSCHE-D&O so I decided to google it and am surprised to find this article. I truly still love this fragrance and would buy some today if I could...how wonderful
  
  

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• AL, 03/15/2019. WISH TO KNOW IF FRITZSCHE BROS. HAS ANY KIND OF HISTORIAN WHO COULD GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT A LARGE FRAMED PICTURE FROM THE 3RD STREET CLIFTON LOCATION THAT I HAVE. HAVING BEEN EMPLOYED AT FRITZSCHE BROS THRU GIVAUDAN FOR OVER 50 YEARS,I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHO THE PERSON IS IN THE PICTURE WHICH WAS TAKEN IN A LAB. POSSIBLE IT IS CLEMENS KLEBER AS THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN MANY YEARS AGO. ANY HELP WOULD BE WELCOMED.
  
  

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• Robert Lucian, 03/19/2018. I recently picked up a bronze paperweight at an estate sale.... It commemorates the 50th anniversary of Fritzsche Brothers, Inc, New York
  August 28th 1871 - 1921...
  

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• Andrea L.Cassullo Harkins, 05/04/2017. I am the granddaughter of Frederick H.Leonhardt. my Grandfather
  and Mr. Watermelon were also very good friends, and together acquired
  property up in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. My family istill goes up
  there every year. The place is over 100 years old. Also I remember when I
  was in elementary school, my mom would give me perfume samples which I
  would give to my teachers at Christmas. When my Dad became president of
  the company, he would bring home different candy to taste. My sister and I
  also went on a couple of tours of the company when we were young. My name
  is Andrea L.Cassullo Harkins. Harkins is my married name. I now live in
  Texas.
• -, 01/18/2008.
  In the 1880's, Fritzsche bragged that it had installed rope and pulley elevators in its plant and had begun to employ women.