Tin/Can – Hershey: Company History & Tins

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Hershey: Its Tins and a Lot More

by Mike Reilly

     For this issue’s featured topic, I’m not going to gointo a lengthy written article as before but list some of the most important items I havecome across.

Hope you enjoy the info. Sources: “Milton HersheyTasted Chocolate in 1893; The Rest Is History” by Barbara and Ken Beem, orig. printedfor AntiqueWeek (found in the “Whittle Marks”, a bottle club newsletter); theinternet (Hershey’s); The Collectible Classics from Commerce by RoselynGrossholz.

Chronology of Events

  • 1857 – Milton Snavely Hershey, born on a Mennonite farm in Derry Church, DauphinCounty, Pennsylvania (mother – Fannie, his father traveledextensively seeking hisfortune when Milton was young).
  • Early Age – Apprenticed to the editor of a German language newspaper inLancaster, PA. Lost his job when his straw hat fell into the printing press.
  • Apprenticed himself to Joe Royer, a candy and ice cream maker in Lancaster.
  • c.1875 – Went to Philadelphia to go into candy business for himself. Anticipatinga huge business due to the forthcoming U.S. Centennial, he borrowed heavily from amaternal uncle to promote his business. Without being able to recoup even his initialinvestments, he took to the road like his father to make it rich.
  • In Denver he learns that the secret of fine candy making was using fresh milk.
  • Although regarded as a loser by friends and family, his mother, Aunt Mattie and afriend finance his venture to make “Crystal A” caramels at his Lancaster CaramelCo.
  • 1893 – Hershey tastes chocolate at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.Buys German chocolate making machinery adding it to his Lancaster business. First he madechocolate-covered caramels.
  • From 1893-4, he was producing 14 varieties of sweets and soon developed milkchocolate bars (plain and with almonds), cocoa, and baking chocolate.
  • April 17, 1895 is the earliest recorded date of Hershey selling commercially.
  • He soon became a leading and recognized figure in his community. At lastrealizing his dream of riches, he toured the world, meeting his future wife, Kitty, who hemarried in 1898.
  • 1900 – Hershey sells his Lancaster caramel Co. for $1 million , but retains thechocolate making equipment and the right to manufacture it.
  • Hershey buys the first automobile in Lancaster using it for advertising as wellas for making deliveries. Early advertising promoted the nutritional qualities ofchocolate by featuring a background of green fields, cows and milk.
  • Hershey invests his money in a chocolate making facility in his birth-place ofDerry Church, Dauphin County, PA. and begins building in 1903. The plant is completed in1905. The area has an abundant water and labor supply and most importantly, lots of freshmilk.
  • Hershey develops the town into Hershey, PA. by building a bank, a zoo, hotel,churches, golf courses and parks. For out of town workers he built a trolley system tobring them to work. He established the Hershey Industrial School for boys in the early1900’s which today is known as the Milton Hershey School, now also accepting girls asstudents.
  • 1927 – Company’s name is changed from Hershey Chocolate Co. to Hershey ChocolateCorp.
  • Some of his non-chocolate holdings are consolidated to form ” HersheyEstates”, now known as “HERCO”.
  • 1945 – Milton S. Hershey dies at age 88.
  • 1960’s – Company’s marketing/promotional policies become more aggressive.
  • 1968 – Name changed to Hershey Foods Corp.
  • 1970 – Hershey Company begins a consumer orientated advertising program, buyingadvertising for the first time.
  • Today – Hershey offers the visitor: Hershey’s Chocolate World, an alternative tothe traditional factory tour, is at the visitor’s center. Next door is the Hershey Museumwith exhibits, photos, and memorabilia. Founders Hall in the Hershey School also featuresexhibits. A FREE visitors guide can be requested by calling 1-800-HERSHEY.

Checklist of Non-Tin Container Advertising Items:

  • *A variety of old and newer cardboard boxes featuring Hershey’s Breakfast Cocoaand Baking Chocolate. Also one to sell eight 1-oz pieces of baking chocolate. Another forHershey’s Bon Bons.
  • *Glass milk bottles, half pint.
  • *Large number of different recipe pamphlets.
  • *Old, unused candy wrappers.
  • *Various shapes of chocolate/candy molds.
  • *Hershey Transit Co. plate, 9 in.
  • *Hershey Chocolate Cigar box, No. 6, c. 1890’s. Other item novelties include:Exquisitos; Manila Chocolate Cigars; Le Chat Noir (black cat) cigarettes; Opera; SmartSet; and Tennis chocolates; plus flower-designed chocolates formed into chrysanthemums andsweet peas. Some chocolates were formed into lobsters, bicycles and fans and given Frenchnames like Le Roi de Chocolat, The King of Chocolate.
  • *Picture, litho, showing 1915 Hershey plant. “The Home of Hershey’s Cocoaand Milk Chocolate 1915”.
  • *Tin sign, framed, showing “Hershey’s Chocolate/Brown Wrapper/DoubleStrength, w/ fac-simile of package- Hershey’s No.1 Lancaster Chocolate.
  • *Many die-cut cardboard point-of-sale advertising signs including: Hershey’sChocolate Soldier; “No Fishing Without plenty of Hershey’s” (a fisherman);”Serve Hershey’s Cocoa Hot or Col”; “Milk Chocolate. New Style Bar”(pictures a 5 cent wrapped chocolate bar); picture of an old delivery truck w/kids and dog- “Hershey’s Syrup Genuine Chocolate Flavor”
  • *Milk glass souvenir ashtray, hand-decorated, c.1930.
  • *Leather change purse, souvenir of Hershey Park, c. 1950.
  • *Glass-domed paperweight, depicting merry-go-round, c. 1930. Newer one alsoavailable.
  • *Pen knife in sheath, original box, souvenir of Hershey Park, c. 1950.
  • *Cloth sugar bag from Hershey’s plant in Cuba.
  • *German plate depicting Hershey Convention Center, 6 in.
  • *Wooden bucket for shipping 25 lbs of “Kisses”.
  • *Hershey hockey puck.
  • *Small cedar jewlry box, souvenir of Hershey, c. 1950.* Postcards of the town andfactory.
  • *Posters advertising shows and sporting events at the Hershey Arena.
  • *Company letterhead (stationary).
  • *Souvenir programs.
  • *Pennants.
  • *Wallets.
  • *Mugs – Cake/Kids; Kiss (Kiss people); Miniatures; Hershey’s plastic insulated;an older Hershey’s; Hershey’s 100th Anniversary.
  • Signs – Hershey Almond Boys (Mickey Rooney).
  • Trays – Hershey’s Kiss Kids, 5in x 7in.
  • Cookie Jar – Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, clear round.
  • Reese’s Pieces Airplane
  • Hershey’s Almond brass Candy Bar w/stand.
  • Hershey’s brass Candy Bar w/stand, 100th Anniversary.
  • Of course you can buy any of the many products that Hershey produces today; bulkboxes, store display boxes, individual candy wrappers and bags. Don’t forget about all ofthe food ads in magazines and newspapers.
  • A sale’s man sampler (antique), contained samples of everything used for Hersheyproducts.
  • Gift box (antique) about 6×3 with the Cocoa Bean on the front.

Tins and Related Items:

(Note: Most of the items listed below I don’t have adequate descriptions of, re:size, dimensions, color, graphics, etc. Please send me more information and I’ll reprintthese checklists. Thanks, ChipTin)

  • Various early tins and buckets used to transport “Kisses” from factoryto stores.
  • Collector’s Series Trading Cards, 36 packs of eight cards, a total of 288 cardsin a collectible tin. Each tin contains 3 chromium cards of a six card subset and one ofthem is made from wood. Each card has a bit of Hershey’s history. Found on the internetat: http://www.padutch.com/html/hersheys/collectibles/cards.html
  • Hershey Cocoa tin, 12 inch round, dark brown w/silver lettering.
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #1.
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #2,
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #3. Size 4 1/4″ Diam 5 7/8″height. It’s a blue main body with gold and white
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #4.
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #5
  • Hershey’s Hometown Series #6.
  • Hershey’s Vintage Edition #1.
  • Hershey’s Vintage Edition #2; “Hershey’s Pure Milk Chocolate”; c: 1992H.F.C.; 6″x6″ (cover) x 3″ tall; brown borders, ivory background – red& brown lettering, standing lady in white uniform w/box of chocolates; (Sold new 1993w/candy bars in “vintage” paper wrappers of the early 1900’s, $3.98.)
  • Hershey’s Vintage Edition #3.
  • Hershey’s – A Kiss for You w/boy and girl.
  • Hershey’s – A Kiss for You w/boy and girl, oblong.
  • Hershey’s Kiss Kids, round.
  • Hershey’s Kiss Kids, octagon shape. (Note: these two items are probably the sameas the ones immediately before them.)
  • Hershey’s Syrup Truck Tin – Bristol Ware.
  • Hershey’s rectangular, red CH. eating cake.
  • Hershey’s tall, rd, black w/ miniatures.
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – Recipe box.
  • Hershey’s Velvet Sweet Chocolate – Recipebox.
  • Hershey’s Cocoa Babe, square.
  • Hershey’s large Fun Tin.
  • Hershey’s medium Fun Tin.
  • Hershey’s mini Fun Tin.
  • Hershey’s Miniatures
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #1.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #2.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #3.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #4.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #5.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #6.
  • Reese’s Hometown Series #7.
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, lg. sq. like pkg.
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, sm. sq. like pkg.
  • Cadbury’s Almond Joy.
  • Cadbury’s Caramello.
  • Cadbury’s Chocolate Biscuits
  • Cadbury York Peppermint Patty.
  • York Peppermint Patty, lrg. flat.

(Note: in the article on Hershey’s I found a picture of a “Caramello”bar made by the company. Did they buy out Cadbury or vice versa? If so, there are severalCadbury tins that may be attributable to the Hershey Co. Please let me know)

From ChipTin: I partially answered my own questions above with the following;the Hershey Foods Corp. manufactures certain candy brands under license by Cadbury Ltd.But when this began and are the Cadbury tins attributable to the Hershey company, I don’tknow. Please check your tins with any Cadbury brands and see if Hershey’s name is on them.

Something else – the H.B. Reese Candy Co. is adivision of Hershey Foods Corp. and is printed on the Reese’s candy bars. Most of thecandy bars, etc, are manufactured by Hershey Chocolate, U.S.A. a division of the sameparent company. I don’t have knowledge of when these changes occurred.

What follows is an update to last issue’s article on collectingHershey.

  • Vintage Edition #1 – 1990, features early style wrapper from 1912 era, says”Hershey’s Sweet Milk Chocolate”, along the sides are THE HOMESTEAD (Hershey’sbirthplace – later in his life it was expanded to house 13 orphans), The CHOCOLATEFACTORY, and HIGHPOINT (his home in later years), 2 7/8″H x 6″W x 6″D.
  • Vintage Edition #2 – 1992, features the “Hershey Girl” advertising from1915, says “Hershey’s Pure Milk Chocolate”, 2 7/8″H x 6″W x 6″D.
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – 1993, features the cocoa bean baby/nymph, 6 3/4″Hx 4 3/8″W x 4 3/8″D.
  • York Peppermint Patties – manufactured by Cadbury U.S.A., Nagatuck, CN., adivision of Schwepp’s Inc. (so this one wasn’t made by Hershey’s), 12 oz, 6 1/8″H x 41/4″W x 4 1/4″D, No date.
  • “Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Since 1894; An Exquisite Confection made byHershey Chocolate Co.”; c: 1993 H.F.C.; 7″x7 1/2″ cardboard (flip-topcover) x 2 1/2″ high; baby blue background, no pictures, all words: brown, white,gold, red, pale yellow. (Reproduction of an 1894 Keepsake Box. Sold new filled with 16 oz.candy bars.)
  • Building a Legacy Canister Series #1; “Milton S. Hershey Building aLegacy”; c: 1996 H.F.C.; 4 1/4″ rd. x 6 5/8″ tall; rust, brown, gold – oldfash. pic. of factory, people, lady w/cow, man, & story of M. S. Hershey 1857-1945.(Sold new 1997 w/candy, $3.97.)
  • Building a Legacy Canister Series #2; “Milton S. Hershey Building aLegacy”; c: 1996 H.F.C.; 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ (cover) x 6 3/4″ tall; blue -old fash. pics of street lamp, bldgs., standing man, band, & story of M. S. Hershey,1857-1945. (Sold new 1997 w/13 oz Hershey’s Kisses w/Almonds, $3.97.)
  • Building a Legacy Canister Series #3; “Milton S. Hershey Building aLegacy”; c: 1996 H.F.C.; 4 1/8″ x 4 1/8″ (octagonal cover) x 6 1/4″tall; purple – old fash. pic. of house, people, man w/boy, 4 men w/bicycles, & storyof M. S. Hershey. (Sold new 1997 w/candy, $3.97.)

The following is a list of books that a collector of Hersheymemorabilia may find of interest. Those titles that are blue and under-lined may beclicked on and ordered from Amazon Books.

*Books about Hershey Chocolate

Chocolate byHershey : A Story About Milton S. Hershey (A Carolrhoda Creative Minds Book) by BettyBurford, Loren Chantland (Illustrator), Reading Level: Ages 4-8, Paperback, 64 pages,Published by First Avenue Editions, Publication date: November 1994, Dimensions (ininches): 8.50 x 5.88 x .23, ISBN: 0876146418

Chocolate byHershey : A Story About Milton S. Hershey (Creative Minds), by Betty Burford, LorenChantland (Illustrator), Reading Level: Ages 4-8, Library Binding, Published by CarolrhodaBooks, Publication date: October 1994, Dimensions (in inches): 8.77 x 6.29 x .49, ISBN:0876148305

HersheyWorld’s Greatest Antique Car Event (Great American Motoring Event), by Rich Taylor,Hardcover, 160 pages, Published by David Bull Pub Inc, Publication date: October 1997,Dimensions (in inches): 11.42 x 8.87 x .66, ISBN: 0964972220

Hershey’s 1934Cookbook, by Hershey Foods Corporation Staff, Rev & Exp Edition , Hardcover,Published by Smithmark Publishing, Publication date: April 1, 1993, Dimensions (ininches): 10.39 x 7.25 x .61, ISBN: 0831703717

MiltonHershey:The Chocolate King, by Biography Series, Vhs Video Edition, VHS Tape,Published by A & E HOME VIDEO, Publication date: February 1996, ISBN: 6303936970

BuffingtonGuide to Hershey : The Sweetest Place on Earth, 1993, by David Buffington, FrancesBuffington, Paperback, Published by Buffington Pub, Publication date: December 1992, ISBN:0963459457

Cal 97 :Hersheys : Recipes from the Hershey Kitchens, Wall Edition , Paperback, Published byLandmark Calendars, Publication date: August 1996, ISBN: 0781913268

Hershey’s Best Cakes, Hardcover, 122 pages, Published by RandomHouse Value Pub, Publication date: July 1, 1995, Dimensions (in inches): 8.34 x 8.29 x.63, ISBN: 0887056466

Hershey’s 1934 Cookbook, Rev & Exp Edition , Hardcover,Published by Smithmark Publishing, Publication date: April 1993, ISBN: 088705627X

Hershey’sChocolate Classics , Spiral Edition , Paperback, Published by Pubns Intl, Publicationdate: June 1993, ISBN: 156173361X

Hershey’sLight and Luscious, Hardcover, Published by Pubns Intl, Publication date: April 1994,ISBN: 0785306935

Ideals Hershey’s Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook, Reprint Edition ,Paperback, Published by Outlet, Publication date: August 1986, ISBN: 0517379252

Milton S. Hershey, by Katherine B. Shippen, Hardcover, Published byAmereon Ltd, Publication date: April 1994, ISBN: 084881164X

Milton S.Hershey : Chocolate King, Town Builder (Community Builders), by Charnan Simon, School& Library Binding, Published by Children’s Press, Publication date: April 1998, ISBN:0516203894 (Note: This is a new book not yet released by the publisher, but can be advanceordered)

One of a Kind : Milton Snavely Hershey 1857-1945, by CharlesCastner, Hardcover, Published by Hersheys Chocolate World, Publication date: June 1984,ISBN: 0943296021

Hershey’s Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook, Published by Ideals Pub,Publication date: April 1982, ISBN: 082493007X

Hershey’s Chocolate Treasury, Published by Golden Pr, Publicationdate: May 1989, ISBN: 0307492745

Hershey’s Cookies, Bars and Brownies, by Ideals Publishing Editors,Published by Ideals Pub, Publication date: October 1983, ISBN: 0824930231

Hershey’s Fabulous Deserts, Published by Beekman House, Publicationdate: May 1990, ISBN: 0517667746

Hershey’s Kidsnacks, Published by Ideals Pub, Publication date:October 1984, ISBN: 0824930347

Hershey’s Kidsnacks (Ideals Cookbooks for Kids), Published byChildren’s Press, Publication date: April 1985, ISBN: 0516092316

Hershey’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookbook, Published by IdealsPub, Publication date: October 1989, ISBN: 0824930843

Hershey’s Time-Less Desserts, by Marybeth Owens (Editor), Publishedby, Smithmark Publishing, Publication date: September 1985, ISBN: 0824930460

Ideals Hershey’s Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook, Published by Outlet,, Publication date: August 1986, ISBN: 0517428210

Milton Hershey, Chocolate King, by Mary Malone, Published by Garrard Publishing Company, Publication date: June 1971, ISBN: 0811645657