Tin/Can Company Histories
Updated 05/21/2008
Any information concerning the history of these tin/can manufacturers iswelcomed. Contact Editor using links at bottom of page.
Click on the under-lined company name tolearn more about the firm.
Acme Can Co. (see Crown Can)Philadelphia, PA1880’s to 1936Acme Litho. Co.Montreal, CanadaAmerican BoxAuburn, NY
American Can Company (A.C.Co.)Maywood, ILformed in 1901American Can Co. 17-AJersey City, NJAmerican Can Co. 041 ?Tampa, FLAmerican Can Co. 48-AChatham, Ontario, CanadaAmerican Can Co. 68-A (or 068 ?)Kansas City, MO (Chicago, IL ?)American Sheet and Tinplate CompanyBaltimore ?1903 then to American Can Co.?American Stopper (A.C.Co.12-A)Brooklyn, NY? to 1920 (Relationship to Vogel?)
American Tinplate Company (see Am.Sheet)Baltimore ?1898 (?) to 1903Art Metal Co. (A.C.Co. 25-A)New Brunswick, NJ (New York, NY ?)1880’s to 1901
AubreyMontreal, CanadaBeardsley Mfg. Co. (A.C.Co.52-A)Cleveland, OH.Berry Can Co.Lancaster, PAW.B. Bertels and Sons1890 to 1904 (to C.C.Co.)Bertels Metalware Co.Kingston, PA1922 to presentW.W. Boyer & Co.Baltimore, MDI just received a copy of mygreat grandfather’s World War I draft registration card. In it, he listedhis occupation as laborer for W.W. Boyer & Co. and gave the address as”Boston [Street] & Montford Ave in [Baltimore] City”. Thiswas in September of 1918. Source: “Eric Haas” <EricHaas@comcast.net>1/29/2004Breckinridge (A.C.Co.53-A)Toledo, OH1901 to 1901Buckeye StampingColumbus, OHBuffalo Can Co. Buffalo, NYCalvert Litho Co.Detroit, MICampbell Company (A.C.Co.2A)Waltham, MA1880’s to 1901, then until early 1950’sCANCO (see American Can Co.)1910/12 to 1921Cans Inc.Chicago, ILmerged with National Can in 1953Central Can CompanyChicago, ILCentral States Can CompanyOH or PAChesapeake Can CompanyCrisfield, MD? until early 1940’sChicago Stamping Co.Chicago, ILClark Can Co. (A.C.Co.62-A)Detroit, MI? to 1901J.L Clark Co.Rockford, IL1904 to 1987 (to Clarcor)Collas R.G. Colonial CanBoston, MAColumbia Can Co. (A.C.Co.89-A)St. Louis, MO1905 to 1936 (renamed American Can to 1944?)Conklin Mfg. (A.C.Co.51-A)Atlanta, GA1901 to 1950Continental Can Company (C.C.Co.)Chicago, IL1904 to Crown CanPhiladelphia, PA1936 to Crown, Cork and Seal Co.There is a Crown, Cork and SealCo. in Calgary, Alberta Canada that still exists today. Sun, 25 Sep 2005Thomas Davidson & Co.Montreal, Canada1890 to 1894Thomas Davidson Mfg. Co. Ltd.Montreal, Canada1894 to 1927 (see General Steel Wares)Decorated MetalBrooklyn, NYDetroit Can Co.Detroit, MI1903 to 1914(Brooklyn Metal Decorating) & Dial CompanyBrooklyn, NY1893 to 1901Dominion Stamping Co. (see Davidson)Montreal, Canada1869 to 1890Dover Stamping Co.1857 to Frank Diesel (Diesel Can Co.) (A.C.Co.69-A)Chicago, IL1893 to 1906 or 1926?Frank Tea and Spice CompanyCincinnati, OHmade own spice tinsElliscoPhiladelphia, PA? to 1901Eureka Can Co.1906 to 1969 (to J.L. Clark)Federal Tin Co.Baltimore, MD1916 to early 1930’s (owned by P. Lorillard Co.)Albert Fischer (A.C.Co.54-A)Hamilton, OH1901 to 1931General CanChicago, IL General Steel Wares (G.S.W.)Canada1927 to presentWm. A. Gill & Co.Columbus, OH1885 to 1901
Ginna & Co. (A.C.Co.14-A)New York, NY1874 to 1901 closed in 1907Happy Thought Foundry (see G.S.W.)Brantford, Canada? to 1927
Hasker & Marcuse Mfg. Co.(A.C.Co.50-A)Richmond, VA1891 to 1951
Heekin Can Co. (circle H trademark)Cincinnati, OH1901 to Hine & Co.New York, NYc.1875/78Horne/Danz (A.C.Co.82-A)St. Paul, MN1901 to 1906H.L. HudsonBrooklyn, NY1887 to 1902Hiram B. Hunt Stamping WorksKansasCity, MO.1893,The Standard Cabinet Co. He was a previous employee at American Can andrelocated and started his own business. Thanks SAM Wed, 21 Dec 200507:05:02 -0800 (PST)Illinois Can Co. (A.C.Co.70-A)Chicago, IL? to 1958
S.A. Ilsley & Co.(A.C.Co.8-A)Brooklyn, NY1865 to 1920Independent Can Co.Baltimore, MD (Belcamp, MD in 1990)Incorporated 1928Interprise Stamping Co.Pittsburgh, PA
Kemp Mfg. Co. (see Sheet Metal Prod)prior to 1927Landau & CormackMontreal, CanadaJohnson-Morse Can Co.Wheeling, W. VAsuccessor to Wheeling and La Cross Can Cos.La Cross Can Co. (see Johnson-Morse)La Cross, WI1906 to
Jos LeComte (A.C.Co.9-A)Brooklyn, NY1901 to 1902 (est 1903 ?)Liberty Can & Sign CompanyLancaster, PA1919 to 1955 (to J.L. Clark)MacDonald Mfg. Co.Toronto, Canada1896 to 1911MacDonald Mfg. Co. (Div. of Kemp)Toronto, Canada1911 to 1944 (purchased by C.C.C.)
McClary Mfg. Co. (see G.S.W.)London, Ontario, Canada? to 1927Mersereau (A.C.Co.10A)Brooklyn, NY1880’s to 1901Metal Packaging Corp. (marked M.P. Co.)Baltimore, MDMiller ((A.C.Co.43-A)Baltimore, MD1889 to 1953 (or until mid 1930’s ?)Missouri CanSt. Louis, MOMyers Mfg.Camden, NJNational Can CorporationBaltimore, MD (New York)1904 to 1922 merged with American ?
Norton Bros. (A.C.Co.73-A)Toledo, OH (1869-Maywood (Chicago), IL )1865 to 1903Omaha TinwareOmaha, NE1890 to 1894Owens-Illinois Can CompanyPacific Can Companymerged with National Can in 1955Pacific Coast Can Co.? to 1925 (to C.C.Co.)Pacific Sheet MetalLos Angeles, CA? to 1901E.L. Parker (see Tinplate Co.)Baltimore, MDest.1850Parrish & BinghamCleveland, OHPassaic MetalwarePassaic, NJafter 1901 to 1927/28 merged with C.C.Co.Phoenix Hermetic CompanyBrooklyn (later Chicago ?)Phoenix Metal (A.C.Co.27-A)New Brunswick, NJ1901 to 1901C.P. Pole (A.C.Co.28-A)Philadelphia, PA1901 to 1902Republic Metalware Co.Boston, MA (Buffalo, NY ?)Reynolds Aluminumused “R” after 1963Ritter Can Co.Philadelphia, PA
Sanitary Can CompanyNew York1904 to 1909 (to C.C.Co.)
Sheet Metal Products (SMP)Brantford, Canada before 1927 to 1927 (see G.S.W.)Shonk CharlesMaywood (Chicago), IL1906 to 1973Slepper CompanyBoston, MA? to 1901Smith & Wicks Can CompanyBaltimore, MD
Somers Bros. (A.C.Co.11-A)Brooklyn, NY1862/9 to 1920Southern Can CompanyBaltimore, MD1901 to 1914 merged with C.C.Co. in 1905Steel and Tin Products Co. (see Steeltin)Baltimore, MD1912 to 1970Steeltin Can Corp. Baltimore MD1970 to Taite (A.C.Co.30-A)Philadelphia, PA1902? to (relationship to below?)Taite-Wesser (Sisler?) Can (see Clark Can.)Philadelphia, PA1901 to 1914/15,closed 1917J.H.C. Thirlkel Can CompanyBaltimore, MDTin Box Co.
Tin Decorating Co. of Baltimore(Tindeco)Baltimore, MD1900 to 1944Tinplate Co. (see E.L. Parker)Baltimore, MDTowle F.S. Co.New York, NYUnion Can Co.Baltimore ?1894 to 1901United Can Co.est 1927 (later a division of Hunt Foods Ind ?)U.S. Can Company (A.C.Co.22-A)Buffalo, NY? to 1902U.S. Can Co.Cincinnati (Norwood), OH1903 to 1927Victoria Tin Works (see MacDonald)Toronto, Canada1882 to 1896Virginia Can Co.1903 to 1927Wm. Vogel (Vogel Bros.) (A.C.Co.12-A)Brooklyn, NY1870’s to 1901 (Relationship to Am.Stopper ?)E.T.Wrightand Co.HamiltonOntario.Establishedin 1883George R. Weed (A.C.Co.104-A)*Brooklyn, NY1901 to 1901Western Can Co.San Francisco, CA1914 to Wheeling Can Co. (see Johnson-Morse)Wheeling, W. VAWhitestoneLong Island, NY? to 1901A.R. Whittall Can Co. Ltd.Montreal, CanadaI found your list of Tin/Can Company Histories which lists ‘A.R. Whittall Can Company, Montreal, Canada’. You ask for any information concerning the History of these companies. The founder of A. R. Whittall Can Company was my grandfather! In looking up the company today I found the history of Continental Can Company of Canada Limited on the University of Western Ontario ‘ Business and Industry’ site. It tells the history of the founding of Whittall Can Company by my grandfather up to its sale to Continental Can Company of Canada and on. I hope this information will reach the editor of your website who asked for information but I could not find any way of contacting him as he said at the bottom o his page. Here is the www site to reach the article. It was quite exciting to find such detailed information and I wanted to pass it on. My mother was A.R. Whittall’s daughter and I knew him for several years in early childhood. Sincerely yours, Margaret Nina Owens http://www.lib.uwo.ca/business/ccc-continental.htm 5/20/2008Wilkes-Barre Can Co.Wilkes-Barree, PAWisconsin Can Co. (A.C.Co.056 ?)Milwaukee, WI
* Was 104-A also used by Shonk Charles and Southern Can?
The number following the American Can Company code, ex. 104-A 03means the tin was made in 1903.
Other codes on cans that need to be identified: “B”,”F.G.& Co.”, “XXXX”, “MP”, “MPC”,
American Can Company– formed in 1901 from the purchase and consolidation of sixty tin container companiesrepresenting one hundred twenty-three factories. After the merging, a number of factorysites were shut down or sold. Edwin Norton, a leader in the formation, became the newlyfound enterprise’s first president with headquarters in Chicago. Those firms remaining inoperation were assigned a number that was printed on the tin/can. For example, Hasker& Marcuse Manufacturing Company in Richmond, VA was assigned 50-A. Any tin or canfound with these designations were manufactured after 1901. In some cases the initials”A C Co.” were used. From 1910/12 until 1921, the word CANCO was also used.
American TinplateCompany – formed in 1898 (?) , an amalgamation of 38 tin plate works dueto severe competition. Poor work facilities were closed, a sales organization was formed,production was reduced to stabilize prices. In 1903, the sheet and tinplate subsidiarieswere combined to form the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company.
Ginna & Company– by the 1870’s the firm was well received by customers for it’s high quality andcraftmanship. Their mastering of one-color lithography, with shadings and gentlelines mixing with thicker ones, produced greater depth and detailing.They once created acontainer that required twelve different printing plates.
Hasker & MarcuseManufacturing Company – Richmond, Virginia, a center for the tobaccoindustry bore a business first making lithographed metal tobacco tags in 1891. But CharlesHazlewood Hasker and grocer Milton Marcuse had grander notions and soon were producingtins for the many tobacco companies in the area. Because they weren’t earlycomers to thefield of lithography, they by-passed the tedious one-color stage and began in thechromolithography era. Before the business merged with American Can in 1901, Mr. Haskersold his share of the firm to his partner.
Heekin Can Company– James Heekin began business as a coffee roaster in 1864, gradually adding items such asbaking powder, spices and tea. With business expanding he began making his own tins. Afterhe started selling them to other companies, he formed the Heekin Can Company in 1901. Histrademark, a capital H in a circle, is found on tins and cans his firm produced. At onetime sold to Diamond Industries.
S.A. Ilsley & Co.- Colonel Silas Augustine Ilsley began one of the earliest tin production businessin the U.S. Considered at the time to be a leader in the field, Ilsley began with a coupledozen employees swelling that to over two hundred before the firm was merged with theAmerican Can Company. Ilsley retired to the Green Mountains of Middlebury, Vermont toraise Morgan horses.
J.L. Clark– After serving in the Union Navy during the Civil War, John L. Clark started a hardwarestore in Rockford, Illinois. As business grew he became adept at metal working, inventingthe GEM Flue Stopper. When production couldn’t keep his equipment bust enough he venturedinto making metal ointment boxes for wholesale druggists. The metal box business was moreproperous and in 1903 he sold the hardware store and with his son, L.H. Clark, startedJ.L. Clark Manufacturing Company. When the business incorporated in 1904, the firm alsobegan working with metal lithography. The company has produced a host of differentcontainers for a variety of applications. The firm acquired the Liberty Can & SignCompany in 1955. In 1969 they purchased the Eureka Can Company. In 1987 they were boughtby Clarcor.
Subject:Tin/Can Company Histories…….Chiptin
Date:Tue, 24 Apr 2001 20:54:47 -0400
Think your listing for McClary Mfg.Co., shouldread: London, Ontario, Canada…..not London England. Makes more senseas McClary, Sheet Metal Products (Kemp Mfg.), and MacDonald Mfg., merged toform General Steel Wares in 1927. We collect General Store Measures intin and graniteware and have several from each of the manufacturers mentionedabove. The McClary’s are clearly marked London, Ontario. These Canadianmeasures also had an inspectors “button” in lead or brass attachedto the handles which can help date individual items from 1890 through 1930. Hope this helps and appreciate yourlisting. Johnand Nell Slater Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada
Norton Brothers TinCan & Plate Company – began as “E. Norton” operating inToledo, Ohio by Edwin Norton in 1868. As his business grew, he began making his own tinslater in 1868 also selling them to such firms as Woolson Spice Company. He added apartner, a Mr. Francher, for a time and moved his company to Chicago in the 1869/71 timeperiod. The partnership didn’t last long and he was joined by his brother, Oliver, in1873; the business now Norton Brothers. With the business still growing, the operationmoved to nearby Maywood in 1885. Incorporating their business in 1890 as Norton BrothersTin Can & Plate Company, they combined what was ordinarily two operations into onebusiness – making the tinplate, then manufacturing and decorating the tins. Around 1893,the brothers invented a machine that could stamp out an entire can automatically, greaterincreasing proudction output. The Norton business focused on supplying stores with tea andcoffee caddies, often available in sets. They patented several types. They specialized in”Japanning”, a lacquer decoration,and combining transfer designs withstenciled lettering. By the 1880’s though the production emphasis turned to vegetablecans. In 1883, the firm patented a semi-automatic body maker which mechanically solderedside seams. Edwin Norton patented a vacuum-pack tin in 1898. In 1901 Edwin helped form theAmerican Can Company becoming it’s first president with headquarters in Chicago.In 1940 heleft American to form the rival – Continental Can Company.
Sanitary Can Company– formed in 1904 by New York City jobbers Bogel and Scott, Max Ams Machine Company of NewYork, and the Cobbs Preserving Company of New Jersey. Produced the first sanitary can,pretty muchas it looks today.
Somers Brothers– Daniel M., Joseph L., and Guy A.Somers began their business in Brooklyn during 1869,first making metal tags. Their tins are appreciated by many since they developed their ownform of lithography (in 1879) that required a process lasting several days. Whenthey sold the business to the American Can Company, the firm had grown fully employingover 150 employees. They created the talcum powder tin with rotating top for Mennen.
Tin DecoratingCompany (Tindeco) – started in 1901 in Baltimore, Maryland. The firmspecialized in making tins for the many tobacco companies in the area. Makers of thefamous Roly-Poly tins. At some point in time it was purchased by the American TobaccoCompany, possibly after it’s incorporation in 1912. Owens-Illinois Can Company laterbought the firm then sold it to the Continental Can Company in 1944 becoming its’ PlantNo. 9.
References: Metal Decorating From Start to Finishes by Charles R.Bragdon, 1961; Illustrated Tin Container Guide by Evalene Pulati, 1973; The Tin Can Bookby Hyla M. Clark, 1977; Canadian Country Store Collectibles by Bill & Pauline Hogan,1979; Tins’n’Bins by Robert W. and Harriet Swedberg, 1985; Oyster Cans with Price Guide byJim & Vivian Karsnitz, 1993; Antique Tins Book II by Fred Dodge, 1998; EncyclopediaofAdvertising Tins Vol. II by David Zimmerman, 1998
Mike, We have a few additions to your listingsand would like your thoughts as to our web page. The first listing, you show as Aubrey,Montreal Canada. I think this may be: A. Aubry & Fils Limitee, Montreal. Wehave one piece in our collection and guess it to be about 1914. (can sendpicture) The second is Kemp Mfg., Toronto. I’m pretty surenow the established date is 1887, changed their name to Sheet Metal Productsin 1911, and were part of the 1927 GSW buyout. (check the link to the KempFamily on our web page). Sheet Metal Products, was in Toronto, 1911 to 1927. McClaryMfg., was established in 1847 (now have a 1917 Catalogue to verify) untilthe buyout in 1927. You might also want to add: E.T.Wright and Co., HamiltonOntario. Established in 1883 and were also part of the buyout in 1927. (have2 examples in our little but growing collection and can E Mail photos.) We stillhave to research Aubry and would like to know how you came across the name…mayhelp us both. Now, maybe you can help us a little. We have put together a basicweb page and would like to have it included in your directory. We would like youto check it out at; www.onlink.net/~johnell You will notice that welinked it back to your page, as we have had a few Emails as a result of yourlink to us….enjoyable and we responded to each promptly. Your page has been ofvalue to us and we are hoping that the two will compliment each other and enableus to continue sharing information. Besides Aubry, we would also like toresearch Landau and Cormack (from your listing), and a new find from NewBrunswick bearing all kinds of touchmarks, but no makers name. Hope you willfind our page of some interest and of course we look forward to your thoughtsand guidance. Thanks in advance, John and Nell Slater
This is a reference to the Joseph P.LeComte Manufacturing Company, which indeed was absorbed by American Can. Familylegend has it that the machines were thrown into the Gowanus Canal . After themerger, family member Victor LeComte in 1903 founded LeComte & Co., whichmanufactured tin cans in Brooklyn and New Jersey until 1993. It alsomanufactured wastepaper baskets and letter holders. I don’t remember all thecustomers, but among them were spice companies, DuPont, Barton candies (Ithink), the Defense Department and crematoriums. It also made cans for moviestock and for ice cream — you packed the ice cream surrounded by a ring of dryice. Four generations of LeComtes worked there, the last being myself (summerjob during college) and my brother. RichardLeComte Reno, Nevada, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:18:53