FIGURAL TINS
This next article Judith advised me not to reprint because severalitems are out-dated now (it was originally written in 1992). But after reading it, I foundso many things that would be of interest to collectors that I felt it appropriate toreprint. Just be aware that as time passes, so does information and some of this may notbe relevant today. Perhaps Judith will offer us a more updated version at another time.this article was originally accompanied by various illustrations which are not availableat this time.
ON THE GO: TIN TRANSPORTATION
by Judith Neuman
Tin boxes and cans are everywhere. They’reso common that we rarely notice them, and we often toss them out unless something specialdraws us to them. Occasionally that happens, and after a while you have a few tins sittingon a shelf. One or two more and suddenly you have a small collection–you’ve been bittenby the tin bug! Some of us are attracted by their graphics, some by their subject matter,others by their design. Among the most desirable are figural tins– tins that are shapedand printed to look like something else. Because they are a miniature representation of areal object they stand out more than a simple illustration. Among these, wheeled tins arepopular because, being toylike, they bring back memories of our childhood.
Perhaps the combination of usefulness anddecorative quality is the reason so many succumb to the charm of tin boxes. They serve adual purpose. Not only are they pleasing to look at, but the tight fitting lid keepsthings fresh.
In addition, tin takes color and detaillike few other materials. Although an interesting design can catch the eye, it is enhancedby the depth of color achievable by the photolithographic process on tin. And, becausetinplate is a malleable material, it can be molded into various shapes. Many tins are inthe shape of a house, others resemble an automobile or bus. Even round tins, with the helpof a clever illustrator, can look like a person.Unfortunately, unusual configurations callfor additional labor, thus increasing the cost. Most tins made in this country are roundwith a flat top because this is a simple shape that can be made completely by machine. Afew U.S. manufacturers have machinery that can fabricate square boxes with flat tops, butthe more complex shapes have been made either in England or Hong Kong.
England was the home of the tin box industrywhen it was at its zenith between the two World Wars. Some of the ingenious shapes madethen are no longer possible today, even if the old molds were available. The additionallabor required for those shapes makes them too costly for today’s price competitivemarket. Although it is satisfying to know that machinery cannot always replace the humanhand, it is depressing to realize that we can no longer afford the fun and charmrepresented by the tin boxes of that era.
However, rather than mourn the past, weshould take advantage of the present. Since mid-century, designers and manufacturers havepresented us with a world of wit and imagination, even if it is housed in more limitedconfigurations. Although older figural tins are very desirable, they are also expensiveand hard to come by. Even when you find them, their cost limits their use to decorationrather than a knock about kitchen container. A contemporary tin, which often can bepurchased for between five and ten dollars, can fill practical purposes too. Still, it iswise to exercise reasonable care with your newer tins as they are certain to be antiquesof tomorrow. Although it’s amazing how hardy these little boxes are, keep them dry toprevent rust and out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. If you move, wrap eachseparately to prevent scratching in transit.
Since the 1920’s TRANSPORT has figuredstrongly in tin box design. As this moving theme is still popular, autos, buses, trams,trucks, and wagons are well represented present day tins. The most eye-catching of theconveyances have real wheels, while on the others the wheels are part of the flatillustration.
Some tins were designed as packaging for gourmetitems such as candies and teas. Once the original contents had been used, the mostinteresting packages were used to hold other things, often reminding the owner of theirfirst purpose. Such long term advertising is a good investment for the manufacturer. Someclever promoters even sold their product in a series of related designs hoping thecustomer would purchase the complete set. The four piece Cadbury Circus is a lovelyexample of this, as well as the Carlectables, even though the latter do not advertise aspecific product.
Many of these tins mirror our times, as shownby the cars mentioned above, the character of whose occupants is so succinctly rendered.This group includes a police car, taxi, chauffeured limousine, and several family cars.With shallow bodies, the Volkswagen Bug and the sleek Porsche Speedster are designed foritems like pencils.
The San Francisco Streetcar, Fire Truck,Popcorn Wagon and Lupins Flower Truck with its unusual balloon tires and two boxconstruction, are other examples of contemporary subject matter. The only airbornevehicles in this collection are the Ski Gondola and the plastic nosed Space Rocket whichis a model of tongue-in-cheek humor.
Though other tins are historic in subjectmatter, they also tell a story. Illustrated in cartoon style is the Stage Coach withCowboys and Indians in full battle. The Gypsy Caravan and the open air Touring Car bothrecall other times.
Strictly for fun are the Super Tour Bus,Dolly’s Tea Van, the children’s Ice Cream truck, and the Bear Express, which was oncefilled with Gummy Bears. A holiday theme is obvious in the Antlerville Trolley’s NorthPole Express and the wagon filled with Christmas toys.
The power of advertising combined with atin box is shown in the double-decker London Bus. Huntley & Palmer, English cookiemanufacturers, have been packaging their goods in printed tin containers since the end ofthe 19th century when the technology for printing on tin made great advances. By the earlypart of the 20th century, multicolored printing had become commonplace and other companiesquickly saw the commercial advantages of the eye-catching tin containers. McVitiepackaged their Smarties in an octagonal truck. Bentley’s Candies is represented by a1930’s London Taxi and a Double-decker Bus. An oval Tram, with a slot in the top for lateruse as a bank, touts three different products.
Although not as common as in England, U.S.companies have also used figural transport tins as packaging. Chicago’s Marshall Field andCo. packed their famous Frango Mints in a replica of their delivery truck. Fannie Farmer’sCandies and Allied Van Lines have used the same shape and design with their own logo andcolors. The Federal Express van is smaller but similar. These last three examples and thePorsche Speedster are the only tins without people in them and lack the spark that humaninterest gives most of the others.
The largest of the designs in thiscollection is a Municipal Tramway, “Last Service, Tram to Depot”, 3.75 x10 x 7″H, showing the depth of color than can be attained with photolithography atits very best. The smallest is the Clean Machine car, driven by a robot andenclosing a mini-bar of soap. Only 1.5 x 2.5 x .75″H, this is what they mean whenthey say good things come in small packages. The truth is, with many tin boxes, that goodthings come in all sizes, all styles and subject matter. And no doubt, just around thecorner, there’ll be a new find that will attract me just like a magnet to tinplated steel.We’re on the go again!
Manufacturers mentioned here include, butare not limited to, Ian Logan, Metal Box and Silver Crane Co. of Great Britain; Enesco,Keller Charles, Hallmark and Tinscapes of the U.S.
Some Figural Tea Tins
by judy@cor.com (Judith Neuman)
Saw your chapter on Tea tins and since youasked for additions to it, thought I’d throw in a few figural tins for tea. Actually, thefirst tin I ever purchased was filled with Swee-Touch-Nee tea in the early ’60’s.
Their loose teas are packed in a tea chestwhich is red and gold with black printing. This was a hump-backed chest and unlike thetins that are made today, the lid had a sharp edge, not a rolled edge.
The next Swee-Touch-Nee I purchased had aflat lid (for easier stacking on the store shelves) and the edge was rolled. This came out in 1972. But at a garage sale a few years ago I came across a real oldie, a pre-1914humpback with cyrillic lettering for the name. I wrote to the company, now part of Consolidated Tea Co., and was told that the name is a transliteration of the Russian wordsfor flowery. The original lettering on the package was in the Russian alphabet, but thatthis was changed prior to World War I. Needless to say it was not in perfect condition,but neither would we be after all that time.
In 1987 I found an octagonal Harbor TeaHouse from Oxbridge Products of Oxford England, packaging for traditional English breakfast tea. Then there is the Tea Centre of Stockholm which contained SoderblandningTea, no doubt a popular Swedish brand, which I found about 1990. Not to be outdone, theIrish Blarney’s Tea put their product in Blarney’s Castle, purchased 1995.
And just this past year I found awonderful elephant used by the English firm of Williamson & Magor for their Indian tea. The animal is red with black and gold details as well as embossing.