[WOMEN] [COSMETICS] Icilma Preparations for the Toilet

London: International Icilma Trading Company Ltd., 1924. Staplebound wraps. Illustrated wraps. Near fine. 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. 40 pages. This charming color illustrated pamphlet gives us a glimpse into the advertising claims of beauty products in the begining of the 1900s. Illustrated throughout, Icilma was used for the complexion, hair, hands, and toillete. Products included cold cream, lip stick, tooth powder, nail polish powder, hair lotion, hair powder (dry shampoo), soap, and more. Icilma, the word, is a combination of two Arabic words 'icil' meaning flows and 'mha' meaning water. In 1898, founder of Icilma, Stephen Armitage, a British citizen, acquired permission to exploit a natural mineral water spring located next to Lake Mouïlah in Port-aux-Poules, Algeria. After a failed attempt to open a health resort, Armitage moved to Paris and then London. Using Calcium Fluoride, present in the spring water, products were produced for the toilet. In 1922, Lever Brothers acquired Icilma. Very lightly rubbed at the spine, otherwise pristine. (Inventory #: 4544)