GOOD LUCK CANNING RINGS

GOOD LUCK CANNING RINGS

Probably two of my more historically interesting recipe pamphlets are the Good Luck Jar Rubber Rings pamphlets from ca. 1915-1920. The company – Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Company of Cambridge, Mass. adopted a rather unique trademark. Not that there’s a whole lot of interesting recipes from the pamphlets, but the advertising and historical information are quite interesting.

Good Luck Canning Rings – ca. 1915

Notice anything unusual about the cover? You got it! The Swastika! Here’s what the company has to say about their trademark:

THE STORY

of the

“SWASTIKA”

“The oldest “Good Luck” symbol in the world”

“There are many emblems of “Good Luck.” the rabbit’s foot, the horseshoe and the four-leaf clover have long served to satisfy the imaginations of the superstitious, but the ancient Swastika design is by far the oldest sign of “Good Luck” known to mankind.

“Its exact age will probably never be known, but sufficient proof of its antiquity may be obtained from the fact that the name is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language, where it stood for “well-being” or, as we more popularly term it today, “Good Luck.”

“History records the use of the “Swastika” as early as the 13th century BC., where from ancient Troy it traveled east into China, India and Japan, and west into Greece, northwestern Europe, Iceland and the Americas north and south. In later centuries its use must have been general throughout practically the whole world, a fact borne out by excavations in various parts of the globe.

“It may often be seen tattooed on the arms of Chinese and Japanese sailors as a protection against the “Evil Eye,” while in ancient China, it was considered a sign of great fortune if a spider should by chance weave this design into his web on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year. To the North American Indians it represented the four winds of Heaven and is found on shell ornaments and stone idols closely resembling statues of Buddha which have been excavated in various parts of the United States, while in later years the Pueblo and Navajo tribes made use of this design in their pottery, blankets, rugs and bead work.

Good Luck Canning Rings – ca. 1915

“The Egyptian Meander, a design frequently seen in the borders of red and white tablecloths and widely used in architecture, is said to be adapted from the Swastika, while our Persian rugs, as well as napkins and other household linens frequently contain this ancient symbol either in its original form or in one of its many adaptations.

“Today the “Swastika” is used more widely than ever before as a sign of “Good Luck” and a symbol of happiness and success.”

from “Good Luck In Preserving” ca. 1915

Good Luck Canning Rings – ca. 1915 (back cover)

Cold Pack Canning – ca. 1920

My-Oh-My! How this language of ours has changed over the past 90 years. Maybe that’s why they put this on the back cover(?)

Cold Pack Canning –ca. 1920 (back cover)

Inside each of the advertising brochures are handy-dandy, perforated, stick-on labels for your finished canned food. How would you like to give your aunt Mabel a jar of your famous blueberry jelly with one of the following labels? Ouch!

Good Luck Canning Rings – ca. 1920

Advertising brochure #1 measures 6.25” x 3.5” and contains 13 pages plus 4 pages of labels. I purchase these in 2003 for $4.50 and $5.00. They are very rare and the ones I have are in excellent condition so I place a value on each of $20-$25.

Advertising brochure #2 measures 6” x 3.5” and contains 33 pages plus 4 pages of labels.

Well folks that’s about it for today! Hope you enjoyed you weird history lesson. Be sure that you leave your name and email below so you don’t miss my next posting. Remember too – you’ll get a free download of “100 Unique Recipes from the Past” when you sign-up.

Tim Mack

Technorati Tags: advertising pamphlets, recipe brochure, recipes, vintage recipe brochure, Swastika, good luck, canning, canning rings, preserving foods, Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Co.

JELL-O – “The Delicious Dessert”

Vintage JELL-O Pamphlet – 1902

It’s not often that I can share with you an entire recipe pamphlet in full, vivid color. Not all vintage pamphlets are the size of most cookbooks. Take this JELL-O advertising pamphlet for example: It contains three pages! Granted, there are no recipes, nor techniques enclosed other than telling us that it can be prepared in two minutes.

JELL-O (1) – 1902

This unique advertising pamphlet is die-cut and measures 4” wide x 3.5” high. I purchased it in 2003 for $.35 and value it today at $8-$10.

JELL-O (2) – 1902

JELL-0 (3) – 1902

_____

Sorry about the short posting today, but have a full-slate of “non-cookbook” chores to do today. Don’t forget to sign-up below and download the free “thank-you” cookbook – 100 Unique Recipes from the Past

By the way, did you know that the only food that doesn’t spoil is honey.

Tim

Technorati Tags: JELL-O, vintage adverising pamphlet, vintage recipe pamphlet, die-cut, 1902

MILK – WHITE GOLD IN COOKING

MILK IN COOKING

I’ve always had a love and fascination with advertising; especially small business advertising; and especially vintage small business advertising. I believe that’s where my love of vintage recipe pamphlets and old food brochures come from.

One of the neater recipe pamphlets that entered my collection is called “White Gold in Cookery” copyrighted 1929. It was written by Ina and Bess Rowe apparently as an advertising giveaway for the dairy industry. Small dairies would purchase the piece in bulk and have their names imprinted on them. In this case it was Larson’s Dairy – Phone 1228, if you’re interested.

The piece that I’m featuring here was apparently a combination recipe pamphlet and 1943 calendar. The calendar somehow hung from the bottom of the pages. The bottoms of the pages have perforations where the calendar was apparently torn off showing the next month. I’m not certain how this looked and would really be interested in learning more if any of you out there have a copy of this pamphlet.

Another unique feature of this pamphlet is the hinged metal clasp on the right side. I scanned the book with the clasp open to show you – very unique! Unlike most advertising pieces that get thrown away unless there’s some good recipes inside, a calendar keeps on working for at least a full year…and in this case, 80 Years! Also notice the clever use of children and dogs on the cover. And, to add value to this advertising piece, there’s some really good recipes inside (using milk and dairy products, of course). 

 White Gold in Cookery – 1929

The recipe pamphlet/calendar measures 6” x 8.5” and contains 28 pages. I purchased the pamphlet six years ago on eBay for $5.00 and value it today at $20-$25. 

White Gold in Cookery (2) – 1929 

Sample Recipes

Individual Chicken Pies (for 4)

Combine 1 cup “Biscuit Mix” and 1/3 cup milk. Knead lightly for about 20 strokes. Pat out to a half inch in thickness and cut with a biscuit cutter, smaller than the top of the casseroles to allow steam to escape around the edges. Bake in a hot oven (425 degrees) for about 12 minutes or until the biscuits are done.

Biscuit Mix

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THE MALLEABLE RANGE Advertising Brochure – 1907

THE MALLEABLE RANGE – 1907

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Mixed on in with collectible food company brochures and manufacturers of kitchen aids and appliances, insurance companies, cookware, and refrigerators. They too have some fantastic recipes and directions for concocting some fine, vintage dishes.

The Malleable Steel Range Manufacturing Company of South Bend, Indiana is one such company. This brochure measures 3.75” x 8.75” and contains 79 pages. Included along with directions for using the various ranges are

dozens of really good recipes. Estimated value is $25-$30.

(Malleable Range Co. – 1907)

Company Statement:             

 Kitchen Economy

Or, the Story of the Development of

THE MALLEABLE RANGE made in South Bend

“When we speak of kitchen economy we do not mean the false economy of buying poor material and cheap utensils to work with. The economy we believe in is the buying of the best.

“The most important part of a kitchen equipment is the range, for good material and a good cook availeth little if the range on which the cooking is done be poor.

“The story of the evolution of cooking devices is a very interesting one. If we go back far enough we could paint a picture of the fair sex of primitive days kneeling by a fire in the center of a cave, tent or wigwam, enveloped in a cloud of smoke, the fire having been kindled by the rubbing of sticks together.

“This takes us back to the days when man knew very little about iron and its highest development, that of steel. About the only use they made of iron in those days was to fashion implements to torture and to kill.

“From the fire of cross-sticks, the next step was the brazier, used by the Romans.

“About the time of the Roman conquest of Britain, 55 years before Christ, the Greek matron broiled her meats over an open fireplace. Then came the addition of the oven to the fireplace. This was a wonderful step in advance.

“Jumping many centuries from the date of the Christian Era, in the seventeenth century we find the old “Hathaway” with which the kitchens of many of the old Colonial homes were equipped.

“Passing rapidly over many years with their wonderful changes, we find the old Hathaway giving place to the cast iron stove.

“The twentieth century was just dawning when the highest development in cooking devices were reached, that of “The Malleable” Range made at South Bend, Indiana, which is made of a combination of malleable iron and steel.

“Few realize that this range is the crystalization of the growth and development of cooking devices of the ages, not only in relation to its mechanical construction, but also of the materials with which it is made.

“In the first place, malleable is the very highest grade of gray iron, which after casting is submitted to an annealing process. In this process the carbon, which makes cast iron so brittle, is burned out, all other impurities being eliminated. This process gives it great tensile strength. It can be doubled, stretched, hammered and twisted without breaking.

“Steel is also one of the highest products of iron. It was a happy combination when these two metals were brought together. The most important part of it, however, was the way in which they were brought together in the scientific construction of “The Malleable” Range, made at South Bend, Indiana.

“This is the very highest type of range made and sold in the world today.

“It costs a little more money than some other ranges on the market, but there is a reason for it. It should be of interest to every housewife to know of these reasons.”

Well, that’s about it for today folks. Get signed up with your name and email so I can keep you informed of future postings. Drop me a comment or question and I will get back to you.

Tim

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COX’S MANUAL of GELATINE COOKERY – 1910

(Cox’s Gelatine – back cover 1914)

Cox’s Gelatine – 1910

Vintage recipe/brochure values can vary greatly. Here are two similar brochures, the top one from 1910 and the lower one from 1914. They were both purchased in 2002 from the same shop. Notice that the one published in 1910 is in immaculate condition. It was the Third American Edition. Seven years ago I paid $6.50 for this item. It measures 4.75” x 7” and contains 72 pages with 204 recipes. Quite a find! Today’s estimated value is $20-$25. Also a good investment. The only disappointment I have with this brochure is a total lack of graphics. The brochure could have better utilized the character on the cover. I guess I’ll have to voice my concern with management about this problem.

I especially like the last recipe for “Restiffening Straw Hats. Dissolve three heaping tablespoonfuls of COX’S INSTANT POWDERED GELATINE with one pint of boiling water. Clean the hats carefully then brush them over with the dissolved Gelatine.”

(COX’S GELATINE – 1910)

Cox’s Gelatine – 1914

Below is nearly the exact item but issued in 1914. The condition is much different. Note the stained and dirty cover, the cover’s torn, and

has bent corners. In fact, the overall feel of the book is soft and flexible, indicating a lot of daily use. Also note the rusty staples on the cover. It’s exactly the same dimensions, as the 1910 edition, but contains only 64 pages, and 178 recipes. Give this edition credit however, it does contain an index which the above issue doesn’t. In 2002 I paid $3.50 for this book mainly because of its date. It still has collectible value however and I’ll keep it until I find one in better shape, but its estimated value is only $5-$6.

(COX’S GELATINE – 1914)

In summary, recipe pamphlet collecting is a really fun hobby and I’m happy as I can be when I’m out ‘scouting’ for my next great trophy. It doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby since many antique mall folks just have them there for a variety of inventory and could really care less about $2-$3 sales.

When I first started collecting vintage cookbooks and recipe pamphlets, I would buy most anything that I could find and I’m sorry to admit, I bought some not too neat pieces. But that’s okay. They’re an important part of my collection. Today I’ve become a bit more sophisticated in selecting brochures and that comes with knowing more what I want.

Well folks, that’s about it for today. Please get signed up with your name and email so I can keep you informed of future postings.

Tim

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