The Never-Ending Soap Opera or, Imperial Lather..

Imperial Leather, which has been around in one form or another since 1768, has never been so much a soap as an experience. As soon as I became old enough to care about such things, I demanded Imperial Leather gift sets for birthdays and for Christmas. How I relished the sensation of removing the glossy, red packaging from the beige, chamfered block, running my fingertip over that red and gold label, lying in warm, bubbling water and breathing in that heady, glorious scent taking me to places I never was. As the years went by, I dallied in other aromas, but now and again, I wandered back down memory lane, looking for that inimitable red packaging in supermarket and drugstore.
Just recently, it came to my notice that PZ Cussons has ceased to make Imperial Leather soap in 200g bars – said soap now only comes in 125g tablets. Mystery solved – since early this year, I have only been able to find the smaller size of soap. What a rude awakening – the old adage comes into play: use it or lose it. IL lovers, take action now. Use your favourite soap. Demand ever more IL products, or else…