Citrus label collection, 1880-1960, bulk 1890-1940

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Summary

Abstract:
The Citrus label collection contains more than 1,500 lithographed labels related to the California citrus industry in the United States from 1880 to 1960, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1940. The collection consists largely of lithographed labels produced for Californian growers, packers, and distributors to identify brand names and packing locations on wooden shipping crates of oranges, lemons and grapefruits. The majority of labels were printed by Los Angeles and San Francisco lithographers.
Extent:
approximately 1,520 items in 18 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Citrus label collection contains more than 1,500 lithographed labels related to the California citrus industry in the United States from 1880 to 1960, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1940. The vast majority of the collection consists of lithographed labels produced for Californian growers, packers, and distributors to identify brand names and packing locations on wooden shipping crates of oranges, lemons and grapefruits.

Many of the labels were printed by Los Angeles and San Francisco lithographers. The collection includes a range of lithography techniques from crayon drawing and hand stippling to the use of Ben Day screen patterns and half-tone lithography. The collection also includes more than 100 examples with "bronzing," a printing technique where varnish is printed on the label, followed by a dusting of fine bronze powder. A significant number of labels are stamped on verso with a received date by the Fruit Growers Supply Company, and some include signatures of approval or notations about printing corrections.

The collection provides a broad view of the development of citrus fruit advertising over time, and also touches upon topics of commerce, manufacturing, travel and tourism, and promotion of the western United States. In the earliest examples, themes include naturalistic designs of flowers, animals, women, historical subjects, and scenic landscapes. Brand names, simple designs, block letters, and geometric patterns dominate in later examples. Many of the labels depict orange groves, scenic views, or flowers, though the collection also includes a wide variety of imagery beyond these themes including Native Americans, transportation, children, and portraits of famous or fictional people.

Acquisition information:
The provenance of the Huntington citrus labels is primarily unknown, though early Library records broadly indicate that collections of orange box labels were received from J.C. Sheppard and Don Button in 1968; orange crate labels primarily related to Placentia (Calif.) were purchased from Dawson's Bookshop in 1969; 62 fruit company labels were received from Jim Ducote in 1972; 3 labels of California packing companies were received from Mrs. Douglas Black (Esther Boulton) in 1973; and 26 citrus labels were received as the gift of Nick Coulas in 2000.
Arrangement:

Items are arranged in the contents list alphabetically by brand name, with blank stock labels included at the end.

The labels are physically organized in 18 boxes according to item call numbers, which generally reflect the alphabetical arrangement with some discrepancies.

  • Box 1: ephCL_A
  • Box 2: ephCL_B
  • Box 3: ephCL_C (brand names generally beginning with Ca-Ck)
  • Box 4: ephCL_Ca (brand names generally beginning with Cl-Cz)
  • Box 5: ephCL_D and E
  • Box 6: ephCL_F
  • Box 7: ephCL_G
  • Box 8: ephCL_H, I, and J
  • Box 9: ephCL_K and L
  • Box 10: ephCL_M
  • Box 11: ephCL_N and O
  • Box 12: ephCL_P and Q
  • Box 13: ephCL_R
  • Box 14: ephCL_S (brand names generally beginning with Sa-Se)
  • Box 15: ephCL_Sa (brand names generally beginning with Sf-St)
  • Box 16: ephCL_Sb (brand names generally beginning with Su-Sz)
  • Box 17: ephCL_T, U, and V
  • Box 18: ephCL_W to Z and stock labels

Items are described in the following format:

  • Title of label. Date.
  • Printer(s). Company(s). Company(s) location.
The term "Company" is used to describe distributors, packers and/or growers.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

Finding aid last updated on December 1, 2015.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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