Citrus crate label collection, 1890-1954, bulk Ca. 1920-1945

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Summary

Creators:
Corona Public Library and Verity, Roger Allmon, Lorne
Abstract:
The collection includes labels from all the major packing houses in Corona including the Jameson Packing House, the Orange Heights Orange Association and Foothill Lemon Company. The labels are primarily lemon and orange crate labels with some grapefruit labels.
Extent:
78 items 78 online items
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Citrus crate label collection. Corona Public Library, Corona, California 92882.

Background

Scope and content:

Fruit crate labels began to be designed at the end of the 19th century. As refrigerated railroad cars helped make the long distance shipping of citrus fruit possible, the industry developed labels so shippers and merchants could more easily identify what was in the crates. These vibrant and colorful paper labels were pasted onto the boxes they shipped around the country and were a lively mobile advertisement. Labels featured a wide range of designs and usually depicted fruit on the label, but that was not always the case. Labels drew on a wide range of in order to entice people to buy fruit. Early images included citrus groves, homes, historical or patriotic themes, animals, birds, flowers and scenic California views. In the 1920's with the urbanization of America and increased awareness of health issues, the images changed to reflect these concerns. The Corona Public Library Citrus Label Collection reflects the breadth of images used in crate label art. The labels are primarily lemon and orange crate labels with some grapefruit labels. The collection includes labels from all the major packing houses in Corona including the Jameson Packing House, the Orange Heights Orange Association and Foothill Lemon Company. In addition, the labels were designed by the major lithography companies in California including Schmidt & Co and Western Litho.

Acquisition information:
This collection was created was created by the Corona Public Library staff from 2004 as part of the Corona Heritage Online Project from materials donated and purchased from 1980-2004.
Processing information:

These Fruit Crate Labels were copied from the library's collection and digitized as part of a one-year project again funded by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) from July 2003 through June 2004 in order to provide a single access point to primary graphic resources documenting the history of Corona.

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

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Preferred citation:

Citrus crate label collection. Corona Public Library, Corona, California 92882.

Location of this collection:
650 S. Main Street
Corona, CA 92882, US
Contact:
Website