An Interesting Connection

I've pared down my collection of tin cans, but this beauty is one of my remaining favorites. If the Victorians invented Pop Art, this would be it! I believe the can is at least 100 years old, and it's in absolutely mint condition.

vintagepostersnyc.com

As you can see, the new way of making almond paste sure beats the old way of doing it!

The maker of the almond paste was Henry Heide, whose name takes a prominent place on the front of my tin.

chemheritage.org

Henry Heide (1846-1931) came to the United States from Westphalia, Germany, in 1866. By 1869 he had established a candy-making business in New York and was known for making delicious macaroons and almond paste. His business grew from a small store to a large factory as he continued to develop confections. Towards the end of his life, in 1920, Henry Heide created his most famous recipes, still enjoyed by millions of movie-goers.

able2know.org  |  candy.com

Henry Heide's grandson, Philip, sold the Heide brand products to Hershey Foods Corporation in 1995, and in 2002 they were acquired by Farley's & Sathers Candy Co. Inc.
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A Charming Antique Swiss Tin

My maternal grandparents came to the United States from Switzerland, and the few possessions left from them are dearly treasured. Above is a coffee canister that belonged to my great-grandmother. She, my grandmother, my mother and I have all used it to store coffee.

I'm guessing from the top that it dates between 1900-1910, though judging by the crackly lithographed surface of the sides, it could be earlier. The top depicts Mercury,  the name of the coffee brand and the god of commercial success — so appropriate for the Swiss! The sides depict the traditional dress of the various cantons (states) of Switzerland — I'll show them in pairs.

Bern   |   Graubünden

St. Gallen   |   Zürich

Genève   |   Tessin

Switzerland has four languages — German, French, Italian and Romansh. Romansh has strong roots in the everyday Latin used by early Roman occupiers of the region, and is spoken by approximately 9% of the Swiss population. It's represented by the second side of the canister, Graubünden. Switzerland has 26 cantons in all, so this canister represents just a few of the country's striking costumes.

Naturally, in a country that is so multilingual, labels are often in several languages. This is the bottom of the canister.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for another cup of coffee.

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19th Century Lucky Strike Tin

 

This lithographed tin from my collection is in exceptionally clean condition. It probably dates between 1875-1885.

The front reads, "Lucky Strike Cut Plug, Fragrant & Delicious."

The back has a gold fan with the words, "No. 60, Second. Dist., State of Va."

The rest of the back reads, "NOTICE. - The Manufacturers of this Tobacco have complied with all requirements of law. Every person is cautioned under penalties of law not to use this package for tobacco again."

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