Crate labels were originally intended to be applied to the ends/tops of produce-filled wooden crates. These wonderful works of art were created as a means of identifying and advertising a particular brand of produce. Fierce competition in the local markets meant that sellers had to find creative ways of attracting buyers to their particular produce - hence, the need for captivating and enticing labels.
Initiated in the 1890's, the use of labels flourished until the 1950's, when the preprinted and cheaper cardboard box was introduced. As a result, the need for labels diminished and they were left in packing houses, storage sheds, printer's archives etc., for collectors, historians & enthusiasts to later discover.
Collecting labels is a wonderful and addictive hobby! Great organized and displayed in collector's albums or as framed artwork for the house - one can chose from a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures as well as a myriad of great themes to suit your individual taste and preference. From wildlife to domestic pets; elegant ladies to pin up girls; fierce lions to meek mice; soaring eagles to fluttering butterflies; fast city life to simple country living; Black Americana to Native American; roaming livestock to underwater sea life; historical to comical; flora and fauna to planes/trains/automobiles .... the list goes on and on!
Add to your current collection or start one today - it is a great way of owning a piece of our rich and historic advertising past.
The James H. Barry Co. - ca. 1930's
Selling, buying and collecting original vintage crate and can labels have become quite a magnificent obsession! Appreciation of the print stems from my family, who as printers & lithographers, established a printing firm in San Francisco in 1879.
Originally printers of the newspaper the STAR, the James H. Barry Company concentrated their efforts in the 20th century on magazines, advertising, books, corporate annual reports, medical journals etc.
Typesetting Room - ca. 1930's.
General Office - ca. 1910
To the best of my knowledge, they did not print labels, however had several wineries and the California Packing Corporation as clients. Sadly, the company closed its doors in 1990, however passion of the print lives on!
