Collection of Citrus Labels, circa 1900-1950

Summary

Creators:

Pfau Library Special Collections

Abstract:

This collection contains citrus crate labels from the early 1900s through 1950s with an emphasis on growers in the Inland Empire region of Southern California including cities such as Redlands, Corona, Riverside, East Highland, Rialto, and others. The labels in this collection are primarily citrus (oranges, lemons, and grapefruit), but labels for other fruit and vegetable varieties are also present.

Extent:

13.5 Linear Feet (21 boxes)

Language:

The collection is in English.

Preferred citation:

Collection of Citrus Labels (SC 008). John M. Pfau Library. Special Collections & University Archives. California State University, San Bernardino.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains citrus crate labels from the early 1900s through 1950s with an emphasis on growers in the Inland Empire region of Southern California including cities such as Redlands, Corona, Riverside, East Highland, Rialto, and others. The labels in this collection are primarily citrus (oranges, lemons, and grapefruit), but labels for other fruit and vegetable varieties are also present. Please note that some labels in this collection contain offensive, harmful, or otherwise outdated imagery/language pertaining to race and gender.

Biographical / historical:

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, paper labels were glued on wooden crates by companies to advertise and identify the grower, packing association, and fruit variety. Labels often included the company name, brand, city/state origin, logo, and other imagery. They were created using a printing method called lithography, a time-consuming process which resulted in bright and detailed designs. Due to a combination of factors including the end of World War II, the beginning of the Korean War, and rising costs for materials the wooden crates were eventually replaced with cardboard boxes featuring integrated label designs that replaced the paper labels. A lot of unused crate labels remained, and despite many being discarded, people began to collect, preserve, and display them for their unique and decorative designs.

Acquisition information:

Information unavailable.

Processing information:

This collection was processed by Raquel Rodriguez as part of her archival processing student internship, 2025.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

• Series 1. Framed, circa 1900-1950.
• Series 2. Unframed, circa 1900-1950.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Citrus fruit industry
Citrus labels

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright Unknown: Some materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

Collection of Citrus Labels (SC 008). John M. Pfau Library. Special Collections & University Archives. California State University, San Bernardino.

Location of this collection:

California State University, San Bernardino

Special Collections & University Archives

5500 University Parkway

San Bernardino, CA 92407, US

Contact:

(909) 537-5112

archives@csusb.edu

Website