This column first appeared July 29, 2011
As simple as it is efficient, the tin can has served the consumer for over a century. First provided by peddlers and later available in the general stores of the late 1800s, the study of the development of the tin can is also a study of the history of American trade and advertising. The cans most sought after by today’s collectors were made from 1880-1940, each one serving as a testimonial to the success of their manufacturer’s designs.
The early tins had only a picture of the item inside and some typographic information. But, as sellers became more ad-conscious and competition became more fierce, the talents of some of the greatest artists of the 19th and 20th centuries were featured on these humble canisters. There are, in fact, those who collect tin cans as a legitimate form of art.
Determining the age of a tin can be difficult as in most cases they were not dated. Looking through old magazines to match your tin to one featured in an ad is one way to determine age. There can also be quite obvious clues contained within the art work such as the clothing of the people, the make of a car, or the depiction of a historic event. But these clues can be misleading and the only true way to perfect your skills of dating a collectible tin is through study and research.
For those who collect by brand name, age determination can be greatly aided by learning the company’s history. Many companies have gone through ownership changes, relocations, and mergers which will assist you in establishing a time line. In other instances a company has changed logos or the catchphrase over the years they have been in business. One of the most common detectors of a WWII tin may be the presence of “Buy Bonds,” or one of the other famous slogans of the war years.
Some tins will have a copyright date on them. While this can be helpful, it can also be misleading. A copyright date indicates the first year of issue and is not necessarily indicative of the year of origin. The term “limited edition” can cause the novice collector to believe that they are in the possession of a valuable tin. This term became widely used from 1980 forward and appears on thousands of mass-produced tins that are of little or no value. It is also wise to beware of recurring themes using famous historical figures like Abraham Lincoln or Benjamin Franklin, as these figures have been used during many different time frames and are not a good guideline for determining age.
The following facts may be useful in age determination. 1. Chromolithography was introduced in 1882. 2. The most popular advertising colors of the 1890s were blue and gray. 3.The use of color lithography became universal in 1891. 4. The first crimped and hermetically sealed cans appeared in 1898. 5. The first use of the words “patented” or “US patented” appeared in 1900. 6. Many foods packed in the Midwest in 1900 were marked “Packed by white girls only” (is that not a statement of the social mentality of the time?). 7. ”Patent applied for” was first used in 1902. 8. The C in a circle denoting a copyright was first used in 1914. 9. Wrap around labels were first used in 1938. 10. ”Patent Pending” appears only after 1940.
Government regulation has played a major role in the life of the tin can. In 1906 the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed which included many health requirements that restricted the canning of popular products. For example, canned tuna disappeared from the market in 1906, not returning until 1909 when it finally passed government regulations. Beer in a can had a terrible time getting into the market place with the first attempt in 1909 and success not realized until 1935. In 1911 the Shelley Amendment to the Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited false or fraudulent claims by therapeutic products, and the Gould Amendment to the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1913 required the contents’ quantity to be listed on the label.
Tins can be found at local antique shops, flea markets, church rummage sales and for the truly adventurous, check out you local dump sites! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com