LOOSE-WILES BISCUIT TINS
SUNSHINE BISCUIT INFORMATION
By Anonymous
Yesterday I bought a huge, oval tin (99cents) because of the information printed on the inside of the 2 covers, just so I couldsend it your way for the tin newsletter & web site! The “top” &”bottom” of the tin are each an oval, removablecover measuring 11 5/8 x 143/4. The oval “band” which forms the height of the tin is 10 1/2 x 13. I have2-3 similar ones with European scenes on them, & I know 1 is round. But this one istitled “Sunshine’s American Masters Series because one cover is:
“The Art of James Peale”(1749-1831); Still Life: FRUIT – Now on display in The Corcoran Gallery of Art inWashington D.C., this 1820 oil reflects Peale’s keen eye for structure, surface, texture,color & illumination. Characteristically, Peale chose the familiar fruits of a familygarden & then beautifully portrayed them as objects of wonder & delight.
The other cover is by Severin Roesen(1815-1871); Still Life: FLOWERS & FRUIT. Drawing on his Northern European roots,Roesen masterfully integrated late baroque traditions with refined Victorian aesthetics.One of his ;most prominent oils, this magnificent 1848 interpretation of nature’sbounteous beauty, now hangs in New York’s Metropolitan Museum.
Then each cover devoted half of the insideto a biography of each artist. It says that the “Biographical material provided bythe Lycoming County Historical Society & Museum, Williamsport, PA 1770l.”
Now, the reason I bought the tin was tocopy the story printed on the other half on the inside of each cover, about the SunshineBiscuit Company. This specific tin was made since 1988, because that date is listed in thefollowing story:
The Art of Baking…The History of Sunshine
Our story began in 1902 with a dream heldby two brothers, Jacob Leander Loose and Joseph Schull Loose from Kansas City.
They envisioned a baking company whereonly quality products would be produced in a bright bakery filled with sunshine. The Loosebrothers soon teamed up with a successful industrialist, John A. Wiles, and created theLoose-Wiles Biscuit Company in Kansas City. Here, they adopted “SunshineBiscuits” as the brand name for their cookies and crackers, thus establishing thename we know today.
Sunshine’s reputation for top quality andflavor grew throughout the 1920’s and 30’s as Krispy Saltine crackers, HI HO crackers,Honey Graham crackers, Vienna Fingers, Cheez-It, and of course, Hydrox, theiroriginalcreme-filled chocolate sandwich cookie, soon became household names. As the decades movedon, so did the Sunshine Bakers — to spacious and innovative plants in California,Georgia, and New Jersey.
On April 18, 1988, Sunshine Biscuits,Inc., was purchased by G. F. Industries, Inc., a privately held diversified corporationlocated in Oakland, California. Today, Sunshine Biscuits, Inc. is headquartered inWoodbridge, New Jersey and is approaching ninety years of rich heritage.
At Sunshine, baking is more than abusiness, it is an art. That is why we created these Holiday Tins. Introduced in 1933, thecollection has included replicas of great paintings from such renowned artists as VanGogh, Currier and Ives, and Norman Rockwell. Portrayals have ranged from the White Houseto Wedgewood. It is Sunshine’s wish that both our tasty cookie collection and thecollectible tins continue to bring you much happiness at the holidays and throughout theyear.
(stamped) Limited Edition, Sunshine Biscuits, Inc.; Containercreated and produced by “Guildcraft” Frenchtown, New Jersey.
Every once in awhile I’ve purchased anold, empty tin that has “Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company – Bakers of Sunshine Biscuits -Address: New York, N.Y., Made in U.S.A.” stamped into the tin. In fact, one at handthat I just pulled off a display is a 9 1/2″ octagonal x 3 3/8″ high. There is ahandle on the tin, attached to the center of two of the 8, 3 3/8″ x 3 3/4″ sidepanels. The cover is a painting of the full Statue of Liberty on its base. The 8 sidepanels (gorgeous colors of mainly tans, golds, browns, & blues) are extremelydetaileddepictions of our country’s historical events: Signing of the Constitution, PioneersMoving Westward, The Meeting of the Railroads, Daniel Boone in Kentucky, De Witt ClintonOpening the Erie Canal, Lewis and Clark Expedition, Early Steamboats on the Mississippi,and The Gold Rush of 1849. I paid $25.00 for it about 2 years ago. I’ve seen 2 otherdesigns in this same size & shape with a handle, by this company, again about the$25.00 range. I sure wish, with all the stamping, companies would add a date!
The End
Keebler adds Sunshine business
ELMHURST, ILL. – The merger of Sunshine Biscuits, Inc. into KeeblerCompany was completed June 4, creating a much larger No. 2 player in the biscuit category.The merged entity will have more than $2 billion in annual sales and a combined marketshare of about 23% by volume, compared with the 36% held by Nabisco Biscuit Co. Details ofthe transaction were not disclosed.
Keebler, already the second-largest U.S.cookie producer, previously had about a 16% market share. Sunshine was the third-largestU.S. cookie maker. According to a statement from Keebler, G.F. Industries, Inc., which wasSunshine’s parent, will become a minority shareholder in Inflo Holdings Corp. Inflo, whichacquired Keebler in January for $487 million, is a 50/50 joint venture of FlowersIndustries, Inc., Thomasville, Ga., and Invus Group Ltd., the U.S. investment entity ofEuropean-based Artal Luxembourg, S.A.
Arthur G. Murray, who had been presidentof Sunshine since it was acquired by G.F. Industries in 1988 and chief executive officersince 1994, resigned when the merger was completed. Sam K. Reed, Keebler’s president andchief executive officer, said, “Today brings together two of the oldest and proudestnames in the biscuit industry. Keebler and Sunshine have the people, the brands and thereputation for quality with which to build a stronger and more competitive company. Thereis nothing better for the Hollow Tree than some Sunshine. It’s a perfect combination forgrowth.”
An integration committee has been formed,and decisions will be made over the next few weeks about how to combine the employes andphysical facilities of the two companies, according to Dan Kubera, a spokesman forKeebler. Keebler has plants in Denver; Macon, Ga.; Chicago; Des Plaines, Ill.; FlorenceKy.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Cincinnati. Sunshine has plants in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.;Columbus, Ga.; Kansas City, Kas.; and Sayreville, N.J. “We are very excited about themerger,” Mr. Kubera said. “When you look at the portfolios of both companies,they blend very nicely. Sunshine is very strong on the coasts, and we are very strong inthe Midwest, Southeast and Southwest.
“We will look at every channel,”Mr. Kubera said. “Obviously, there will be opportunities to integrate sales,distribution and manufacturing.”
The merger brings together two of theoldest names in the U.S. biscuit industry. Among Keebler’s top-selling cookie brands areChips Deluxe, Fudge Shoppe and Sandies. Sunshine’s top cookies are its Vienna Fingers andHydrox sandwich cookies. In crackers, Sunshine has the Cheez-It and Hi-Ho brands, andKeebler has the Zesta, Town House and Club cracker brands.
Keebler had total 1995 sales of about $1.5billion and Sunshine has sales of about $500 million. Nabisco had 1995 sales of about $3.1billion. According to Keebler, the combined company will be the leader in supplyingbiscuits to the food service industry.
In an earlier interview, Mr. Reed saidKeebler’s strategy would be to market aggressively at the regional level, goinghead-to-head less often with market leader Nabisco.
The End
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Chronological Listing of Loose-Wiles /Sunshine Biscuit Company tins.
Please notify this editor of anycorrections or additions.
Date of Issue Description
10/25/1933 “WhiteHouse” with presidents, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4
11/20/1934 Ann Hathaway tin
12/02/1935 “GrandCanyon” and other sites, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4
1936 (?) “Hiawatha’sWedding Journey”, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4 (This tinisn’t listedon official Sunshine Biscuit, Inc’s listing)
10/18/1937 “Battleships”, USS Idaho onlid, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4
“Robin Hood, octagon with handles, 2 1/2 x 9 1/4
“Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria” on lid, others on sides, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4 (This tin isn’tlisted on official Sunshine Biscuit, Inc’s listing)
1938 None Made
06/16/1939 “1939 World’sFair”, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4
11/24/1939 George Washington on lid, octagon with handles, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4
1940’s Martini Butter Crackers, 13 oz. red/blue/white design
10/22/1940 “All American”, octagon with handle, “Statue of Liberty” on lid, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4,(last with Loose-Wiles).
10/14/1948 “Famous Paintings”, octagon with handle, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4, first with Sunshine logo
1949 NoneMade
09/30/1950 “American Heritage”, octagon with handle, “The Liberty Bell’s First Note” on lid, 31/2 x 9 1/4
1951 None Made
04/28/1952 Golden Anniversary,”American the Beautiful”, octagon with handle, 3 1/2 x 9 1/4, song phrases
08/28/1953 “Capitol Building”, rectangular with hinged lid made 3 x 11 x 12 1/2
1954 None Made
07/31/1955 Petit Point Floral Point, looks like needlepoint, snap on lid 3 1/4 x 10 1/4
08/29/1956 Wedgewood design, 3 1/2 x 10, round,appearance of Wedgewood, snap on
08/21/1957 “Mayflower”, in raised metal onlid, round wall plaque design, 3 x 12 snap on lid
09/05/1958 “Red Boy”,3 x 12 round, snap on lid, 7″ cardboard center
08/14/1959 “Blue Boy”,snap on lid, 3 x 12 round, 7″ cardboard center
08/02/1960 “Age of Innocence”, 3 x 12 round, 2 1/4 lb., 7″ cardboard center
09/15/1961 “Miss Murray”, 3 x 12 round, 2 1/4 lb., 7″ cardboard center
10/1962 “White Rose”, 14 x 11 x 3 oval, 2 1/4 lb., twin tray.
10/1963 “Blue Rose”, 14 x 11 x 3 oval, 2 1/4 lb., twin tray.
10/1964 “Gold Rose”, 14 x 11 x 3 oval, 2 1/4 lb., twin tray.
08/1965 “Grecian”,octagon, 4 x 12, wall plaque design, 2 1/4 lb.
10/1966 “Old Masters”, octagon 4 x 12, wall plaque design, 2 1/4 lb.
08/1967 “Charms of Country Living/The Nest” (Boucher), octagon with snap-on lid, 4 x 12, wall plaque design 2 1/4 lb., twin tray.
08/1968 “Twin Bouquets”, by Redon and Renoir, twin trays, 4 x 13 round
08/1969 Van Gogh’s”Bridge Scene”, 4 x 13, twin trays
Van Gogh’s”Farm Scene”, 4 x 13, twin trays
08/1970 Utrillo’s”Paris Street Scene”
08/1971 Currier & Ives, “Winter”, 14 x 11, oval, 2 lb. twin tray.
Currier & Ives, “Summer”, snap-on lid, 14 x 11 wall plaque design, 2 lb. twin tray.
08/1972 Currier & Ives, “Spring”, snap-on lid, 14 x 11, wall plaque design, 2 lb. twin tray.
Currier & Ives, “Autumn”, snap-on lid, 14 x 11, wall plaque design, 2 lb. twin tray.
08/1973 “T’ang Dynasty” Series, twin trays, 4 x 13 round, 2 lb.
08/1974 Audubon’s “Birds of America”, twin trays, 4 x 13 round, 2 lb.
08/1975 American Flagships – Bicentrennial, “U.S. Constellation”, 14 x 11 oval
American Flagships – Bicentrennial, “U.S. Constitution”, 14 x 11 oval
08/1976 Currier & Ives, “The Road Winter”, 14 x 11 oval
Currier & Ives, “The Morning Ride”, 14 x 11 oval
09/1977 “Holiday Parade”, American Folk Art, 75th anniversary, 14 x 11 oval
“Shopping on Main Street”, 75th anniversary, 14 x 11 oval
09/1978 “Mississippi Steamboats, in Time of Peace, 14 x 11 oval
“Roundin a Bend “(on the Mississippi), 14 x 11 oval
09/1979 Currier & Ives, America as it was, “The Village Blacksmith”, 14 x 11
Currie r& Ives, America as it was, “The Mill Dam at Sleepy Hollow”, 14 x 11
1980 Currier & Ives, America as it was, “Winter Pastimes”, 14 x 11
Currier & Ives, America as it was, “The Season of Blossoms”, 14 x 11
1981 Currier & Ives, “Clipperships and Fabulous Trips”, Clippership Red Jacket, 14 x 11;
Currier & Ives, “Clipperships and Fabulous Trips”, Clippership Flying Cloud, 14 x 11
1982 Currier & Ives, “Across the Continent”, 14 x 11
Currier & Ives, “American Express Train”, 14 x 11
1983 Currier & Ives, “Mount Vernon – The Home of Washington”, 14 x 11
“U.S. Military Academy at West Point”, 14 x 11 oval
1984 “Washington Crossing the Delaware” 14 x 11
“Signing of the Declaration of Independence”, 14 x 11
1985 Commemorations- American Lithographs, “Statue of Liberty”, 14 x 11
Commemorations- American Lithographs, “Liberty Bell”, 14 x 11
1986 The Beauty of America, “Mount Rushmore”, 14 x 11 oval
The Beauty of America,”Niagara Falls”, 14 x 11 oval
1987 Currier & Ives, “Early Winter” 8″ round
“Signing of the Constitution” and “Independence Hall”, 14 x 11
1988 American Masters Series, C.M. Russell’s “The Jerkline”, 14 x 11 oval
American Masters Series, A. Bierstadt’s “Looking up Yosemite Valley”, 14 x 11
1989 American Masters Series, W. Homer’s “Breezing Up”, 14 x 11
American Masters Series, T. Moran’s “Grand Canyon”, 14 x 11
1990 American Masters Series, Severin Roesen’s “Flowers & Fruit”, 14 x 11
1991 American Masters Series, Frank Weston Benson’s “Summer Afternoon”, 14 x 11
American Masters Series, Martin Johnson’s “Magnolias on a Blue Velvet Cloth”, 14 x11
1992 “Thomas Wilkinson, M.F.H. with The Hurworth Foxhounds by Sir John E. Fernely, Sr.
Miscellaneous tins (no dates known)
If you are aware of the dates of these tins, please notify this editor.
Krispy Crackers, 2 lb., hinged lid, 7 1/2 x 9 x 7 1/2, red, white, blue
Sunshine Toy Cookies, cardboard tin, 11 oz., with handles, 5 x 5 1/2, tin lid
Sunshine Thin Pretzel Stix, 14 oz. 6 x 8, round
Sunshine Whole Wheat Crackers, 11 oz., 5 x 6 round.
Sunshine Krispy Crackers Biscuits, 10 x 10 x 11, lift-off lid
Clover Leaf Sugar Wafers, 8 x 10 x 8, hinged lid, black
Sunshine Martini Crackers, 13 oz., 6 x 6
Sunshine Whole Wheat Wafers, oblong, glass topped, 7 x 5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Fruit cake tin, 2 lbs. 7 1/2 inches round
Fruit cake tin, 4 lbs. 9 1/4 inches round
Spur Biscuits, 9 oz., cylinder, 3 x 8
Fruit cake tin, 1 lb., orange/fruit trim, 3 x 6 oblong
Chocolate wafers, 9 oz., cylinder, 3 x 8
Pilot wafer, 12 oz., cylinder, 5 x 8, round paper label
Cheese wafers, 10 oz., cylinder, 5 x 7
Oxford Fruit Cake, Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co., oblong, 4 x 9 1/2, early 1900s
Art Deco, round with handle, 10 in.
Trumps Cookies, 16 oz., 5 x 6, round
Reference: Listings above adapted from information taken from Dawn E. Reno’s book, “Advertising – Identification and Price Guide”, November, 1993. For prices- readers should review this book or such sources as eBay’s electronic auctions. A Chronological Listing of Sunshine Biscuit, Inc.’s past and present tin offerings, SunshineBiscuit, Inc. courtesy of Jeannie Tucker’s TIN FAX.
Hi,
I have attached a photo of atin. In your chronology list under “Miscellaneous Tins” you list a Krispy Cracker tin, 2 lbs.
Here is an other KrispyCracker tin, 2lbs. 8ozs., 7″h x 9-1/4″ x 8-3/8″, Yellowbackground (painted) with black lettering overprinted., Hinged Lid.
Just though you might want to include in your chronology list – I don’t know its date, but wouldplace it in the 1920’s through the 1930’s
Regards. J W Edler