European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 27, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Oidne s water the Sweet smell of Success 6 stripes Magazine to airy 27,1386 by Linda White travel editor fainting ladies in victorian novels Wurch always revived with Cau do Cologne. In fact it was not unusual in past centuries for people to drink it mixed with water wine or soup. It was sold for medicinal purposes until 1810, touted As a remedy for plague Colic Toothache labor pains and bad breath. The transition from Medicine to cosmetic took place without a loss of popularity and Cau do Cologne remains a big seller today. Genuine eau de Cologne or a Dunisch Wasser is a perfumed water in reality 140-proof Ethyl alcohol manufactured in Cologne Germany. Like Champagne Cologne water owns the name of the place where it is produced. Legally eau de Cologne from anywhere else cannot Call itself original. Eau do Cologne is not a perfume. It is a volatile fragrant water to be used As a pick me up rather than As a scent. Pour some in the hands inhale it then Pat it on neck and wrists. Some 20 firms in Cologne produce eau de Cologne 13 of them using the name Farina. Farina be Zenober is the oldest founded in 1709, tracing its ancestry to Johann Maria Farina the italian immigrant who brought his recipe for Aqua Mirabilio Miracle water to Cologne and established an Empire. The largest firm is 4711 its distinctive Symbol in Gold and Aqua glows in Neon All Over the City. Its name comes from its House on Glocke Gasse so numbered when it was requisitioned by occupying French forces at the end of the 18th Century. The building with its glockenspiel remains a City landmark. The formulas for eau de Cologne remain secret that is the reason it is no longer called a Medicine. In 1810, Napoleon decreed that All medical formulas had to be disclosed. To retain the secret Farina dropped medicinal claims. The firms say their formulas Are known Only to a select few that the ingredients Are kept under lock and key. The essence is made from natural oils of Citrus blossoms and fruits it is blended with the alcohol and stored in old Oak barrels maturing like wine to develop its bouquet. Farina brought his formula with him when he came to Cologne. The founder of 4711, Wilhelm Mulhens received his formula As a wedding present from a carthusian Monk. Both claimed recognition from Royalty and nobility both received awards at world exhibitions. And soon of course More and More producers of eau de Cologne appeared on the scene. The 19th Century saw a veritable Farina invasion More than 100 firms sprang up. Not Only did they use the Farina name it was easy to find a Farina for a partner in those Day they also incorporated the wording Gegenhuber dem Platz in their address. That Means across from whatever Square the firm happened to be situated on in imitation of the original Farina address Gege Nober jul chs Platz. Actually a licks Platz does not exist on the map of Cologne. It is the dialect name for Julichs Platz a Square named in Honor of a tradesman who was executed for leading a rebellion against the municipal administration. Until 1797, a Bronze Monument of Culich s severed head stood in the Square. At the end of the last Century trademark Laws came into being so Farina was Able to claim the right to Gegenhuber the firm adopted the red crests its Symbol. These Days the eau de Cologne firms have diversified into a variety of cosmetics and distribution k worldwide. F t $