Imperial Leather
Encyclopedia
Imperial Leather is a brand of soaps, toiletries and healthcare products manufactured by PZ Cussons
. The brand originates in Britain
and is now available in a number of other countries including Australia
, Denmark
, Germany
, Pakistan
, India
, Kenya
, South Africa
, iran
and Dubai
. The brand is not widely available in the USA or Canada
but can be obtained in the USA via online sales and in some specialty shops.
commissioned a brand of perfume from Bayleys of Bond Street in London. The perfume was called 'Eau de Cologne Imperiale Russe'. In 1921 Bayleys was acquired by Cussons Sons & Co, chaired by Alexander Tom Cussons
. It was not until some years later in 1938 that Alex Cussons used the original perfume and created Cussons Imperial Leather soap and other toiletries. The soap was initially called 'Imperiale Russian Leather]]', but was soon renamed to Imperial Leather. In 1975 the Cussons Group was itself acquired by Paterson Zochonis, recently renamed to PZ Cussons
.
In the late 1940s to late 1950s Cussons embarked upon a prolific printed advert campaign with a new theme for the advertising of Imperial Leather released frequently. They have become collectable as vintage adverts. Below is a table of some of the advertising themes:
Television has been an important part of Imperial Leather advertising for decades. Imperial Leather adverts have previously featured Julie Walters
and Paul Merton
. Recent Imperial Leather adverts include the rose tattoo (1999), the firemen fantasy (2002), the dancing duck (2002) and the secret shower advert (2005).
In 2001 Imperial Leather was relaunched under the 'release the lather' slogan. An Imperial Leather yellow duck beanie was produced as part of the promotion.
, held in Manchester in 2002. In 2004 Imperial Leather sponsored the TV show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. In 2004 Imperial Leather also sponsored a model cow called Imperial Heifer. The cow was on public display in Manchester. The model was later sold at auction with money donated to the Manchester Kids charity.
In 2004, Imperial Leather sponsored a theme park ride called The Flume which opened at Alton Towers
. Also, in 2006 The Bubbleworks was opened at Chessington World of Adventures
sponsored by the company. Both rides have the same 'bath time with attitude' theme with many rubber ducks. Original Source, another PZ Cussons product sponsored a ride called Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park
. The contract with the rides ended in 2009, the rides had all of the Imperial Leather logos removed.
Sponsorship was also on the players chairs at the 2011 Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne won by Novak Djokovic against Andrew Murray of Scotland UK
vans have been manufactured with the Cussons Imperial Leather livery. There are two different types. Both of them are discontinued and are collectable. They are an Austin A40 van made by Lledo (released in 1997) and a 30 cwt Bedford van also made by Lledo.
PZ Cussons
PZ Cussons is a major manufacturer of personal healthcare products, and consumer goods. It operates worldwide, especially in Africa and Commonwealth nations...
. The brand originates in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and is now available in a number of other countries including Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. The brand is not widely available in the USA or Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
but can be obtained in the USA via online sales and in some specialty shops.
Origins
The brand goes all the way back to 1768 when a Russian nobleman called Count OrlofOrlov
Orlov is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's paramour, and the two junior were notable military...
commissioned a brand of perfume from Bayleys of Bond Street in London. The perfume was called 'Eau de Cologne Imperiale Russe'. In 1921 Bayleys was acquired by Cussons Sons & Co, chaired by Alexander Tom Cussons
Alexander Tom Cussons
Alexander Tom Cussons . Born in Holbeck, Leeds, England to Thomas Tomlinson Cussons and his wife Elizabeth Cussons . Alexander was the Chairman of Cussons Sons & Co, maker of the brand Cussons Imperial Leather and other toiletries.-Career:Tom Cussons was apprenticed in the town of Ossett...
. It was not until some years later in 1938 that Alex Cussons used the original perfume and created Cussons Imperial Leather soap and other toiletries. The soap was initially called 'Imperiale Russian Leather]]', but was soon renamed to Imperial Leather. In 1975 the Cussons Group was itself acquired by Paterson Zochonis, recently renamed to PZ Cussons
PZ Cussons
PZ Cussons is a major manufacturer of personal healthcare products, and consumer goods. It operates worldwide, especially in Africa and Commonwealth nations...
.
Advertising
In 1942 due to World War II all soaps were rationed in Britain. Imperial Leather soap was therefore marketed as being the best choice because it lasted longer than other soaps. The following is an Extract from a World War II advertisement:- "Imperial Leather Toilet Soap is one of the few luxuries still available to the discriminating. Supplies are obviously limited, but if only because Imperial Leather lasts longer and increases the purchasing power of your coupons, you should buy it wherever and whenever you can."
In the late 1940s to late 1950s Cussons embarked upon a prolific printed advert campaign with a new theme for the advertising of Imperial Leather released frequently. They have become collectable as vintage adverts. Below is a table of some of the advertising themes:
| Date | Advertising Theme | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Orchids | Cedric Chater |
| 1950 | Tropical Fish | Cedric Chater |
| 1951 | Butterflies | Cedric Chater |
| 1952 | Treasure Exquisite | |
| 1953 | Miniature Gardens | Cedric Chater |
| 1954 | Ladies Fans | J. Duvelleroy |
| 1955 | Exotic Beauty (Cactuses) | Norman Weaver |
| 1956 | A Garden of Birds | Charles Tunnicliffe Charles Tunnicliffe Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was an internationally renowned naturalistic painter of British birds and other wildlife. He spent most of his working life on the Isle of Anglesey.-Life:... |
| 1957 | Roses | Cedric Chater |
| 1958 | Zodiac and Birthstones |
Television has been an important part of Imperial Leather advertising for decades. Imperial Leather adverts have previously featured Julie Walters
Julie Walters
Julie Walters, CBE is an English actress and novelist. She came to international prominence in 1983 for Educating Rita, performing in the title role opposite Michael Caine. It was a role she had created on the West End stage and it won her BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for Best Actress...
and Paul Merton
Paul Merton
Paul Merton is a British comedian, writer, actor and television presenter. Known for his improvisation skill, his humour is rooted in deadpan, surreal and sometimes dark comedy...
. Recent Imperial Leather adverts include the rose tattoo (1999), the firemen fantasy (2002), the dancing duck (2002) and the secret shower advert (2005).
In 2001 Imperial Leather was relaunched under the 'release the lather' slogan. An Imperial Leather yellow duck beanie was produced as part of the promotion.
Sponsoring
Cussons Imperial Leather sponsored the XVII Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
, held in Manchester in 2002. In 2004 Imperial Leather sponsored the TV show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. In 2004 Imperial Leather also sponsored a model cow called Imperial Heifer. The cow was on public display in Manchester. The model was later sold at auction with money donated to the Manchester Kids charity.
In 2004, Imperial Leather sponsored a theme park ride called The Flume which opened at Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
. Also, in 2006 The Bubbleworks was opened at Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a theme park and zoo in South West London, England. It lies south of Central London. Historically opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931, a theme park was developed alongside it, opening in 1987...
sponsored by the company. Both rides have the same 'bath time with attitude' theme with many rubber ducks. Original Source, another PZ Cussons product sponsored a ride called Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a theme park located in Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK. It was built in 1979 on the site of a gravel pit which was partially flooded, the intention of creating a water based theme for the park. The park's first large roller coaster, Colossus, was added in 2002...
. The contract with the rides ended in 2009, the rides had all of the Imperial Leather logos removed.
Sponsorship was also on the players chairs at the 2011 Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne won by Novak Djokovic against Andrew Murray of Scotland UK
Discontinued products
In the 1950s a number of Imperial Leather products were manufactured which have since been discontinued these include Imperial Leather Brilliantine (solid and as lotion), Imperial Leather After Shave Lotion, Imperial Leather Bath Cubes, Imperial Leather Shaving Stick, Imperial Leather Shaving Bowl and Imperial Leather Shaving Cream. Below is an extract from a 1957 advert for Imperial Leather Shaving Stick:- “Cussons Imperial Leather is the choice of men of fame and men of promise. It is the choice of men of good taste.”
Toys
Die-cast toyDie-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
vans have been manufactured with the Cussons Imperial Leather livery. There are two different types. Both of them are discontinued and are collectable. They are an Austin A40 van made by Lledo (released in 1997) and a 30 cwt Bedford van also made by Lledo.