January 07 2009

Crate Labels

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Crate labels are the paper labels that were stuck on the end of wooden packing crates for produce to indicate the origins, type, and quality of the contents. Elaborate and colorful labels began to appear at the turn of the 20th century as sellers began to realize the power of a recognizable brand with a strong visual image. The replacement of wooden crates with cardboard eventually eliminated the need for separate labels during the 1960s-1970s. Amazingly a great many mint and unused labels still exist. They are found in old packing houses as unused stock, or in label printing company archives. The varieties from printers may only have 3 or 4 examples in existence, but those from packing houses can number in the thousands. Online retailers of vintage fruit crate, vegetable crate, and can labels are listed in this category. Informational and collector sites can be found in <A HREF="Recreation/Collecting/Food_and_Drink_Related/Fruit_and_Vegetable/">Recreation/Collecting/Food_and_Drink_Related/Fruit_and_Vegetable/</A>.

A-1 Beerprints
Offers lithographic reproductions of the original A-1 Beer labels painted by artist Lon Megargee.
http://www.a-1beerprints.com/

Antique Label Company
Labels from the first half of the twentieth century in custom frames of copper and glass.
http://www.antiquelabelcompany.com

Crate Labels Dot Net
Original items and oak frames for display. Also offers printed T-shirts, plaques, muslin panels, coasters, mouse pads, and refrigerator magnets.
http://www.cratelabels.net/

Crate Labels Online
Specializes in fruit labels, fruit branding stamps, and related items. Includes historical background.
http://www.cratelabelsonline.com/

CrateArt
Features both framed and unframed originals, including vintage seed packets. Includes history of labels, and a wish list service.
http://www.crateart.com/

CrateLabels.Com
Original items, dating from the 1870s - 1950s in multiple categories. Restoration service available.
http://cratelabels.com/

Fruit Crate Labels (dot) Com
Various original labels, appraisals, and historical information.
http://www.fruitcratelabels.com/

Grandmas' Antique Labels
Offers apple, cigar, and garden seed items. Prices and current listings by Email only.
http://GrandmasAntiqueLabels.netfirms.com

Label Place
Features vintage fruit crate labels used for apple, pear, and citrus boxes.
http://homestead.com/labelplace/labelplace.html

Labelcollector.com
Vintage fruit crate, cigar, and can labels from 1900-1980. Includes picture search, FAQ, and history.
http://www.labelcollector.com/

LabelFrames.com
Features California orange crate labels framed in acrylic.
http://www.labelframes.com

Labelland
Offers a large variety of original citrus, fruit, and vegetable crate labels. Themes include animal, ship, train, airplane, and western.
http://www.labelland.com

Paperdoll.com
Vintage crate labels and product packaging.
http://www.paperdoll.com/

Paperstuff
Original fruit, vegetable, and can labels organized in a wide variety of searchable categories.
http://www.paperstuff.com

The Labelman
Broad selection of crate and can labels available with large images to view.
http://www.thelabelman.com