Crate Label, "Buy the Best Brand Bartlett Pears," circa 1940

01

Artifact Overview

In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened eastern markets to the West Coast produce industry for the first time. As produce companies shipped crates of fruits and vegetables across the country, they needed a way to distinguish their goods from their competitors'. Colorful, eye-catching labels, like this one for Buy the Best Brand Bartlett Pears, were created to attract grocers purchasing goods from wholesale markets.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Crate label

Date Made

circa 1940

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

89.311.129

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Out of the West Publishing.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Lithography
Printing (Process)

Color

Black (Color)
Green
Light blue
Multicolored
Red
Yellow (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 7.375 in
Width: 10.25 in

Crate Label, "Buy the Best Brand Bartlett Pears," circa 1940