Oyster Tin, Pride of the Chesapeake Brand
Object Details
- J. D. Groves & Co.
- Description
- This gallon tin once contained fresh oyster meats packed by the J. D. Groves & Co., located at 117 S. Calvert St. and 116 Cheapside, in Baltimore, Maryland. J. D. Groves also packed fish, fruits, and produce at this address, and was a delegate at the first annual meeting of the Oyster Growers and Dealers Association of North America, held in Baltimore May 18-19, 1909.
- In 1906 the U.S. Congress passed several pure food laws in response to outbreaks of typhoid fever and gastrointestinal ailments linked to poor sanitation. Several new regulations were imposed on the oyster industry after contaminated oysters were blamed for serious illnesses. The laws required inspections of oyster beds and packing houses, as well as the identification of shellfish sources and standardized labeling.
- This tin probably dates to the period 1920-30, when colorful lithographed tins became popular. The distinctive orange tin features a porthole design with a sailing schooner inside. Like many Baltimore oyster packers, the J. D. Groves Company included a message to consumers concerning the sanitary conditions under which the oysters were packed. The reverse of the can reads:
- “WE GUARANTEE THIS CAN TO CONTAIN STRICTLY FRESH SHUCKED OYSTERS / FREE FROM PRESERVATIVES OF ANY KIND / QUALITY AND QUANTITY GUARANTEED.”
- 1920s
- 1920-1930
- ID Number
- 2007.0054.01
- catalog number
- 2007.0054.01
- accession number
- 2007.0054
- Object Name
- oyster can
- Physical Description
- ferrous tinned (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 7 1/4 in x 6 9/16 in; 18.415 cm x 16.66875 cm
- place made
- United States: Maryland, Baltimore
- Related Publication
- On the Water online exhibition
- Related Web Publication
- http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Food Technology
- Food
- Health & Medicine
- Advertising
- Work
- Industry & Manufacturing
- Exhibition
- On the Water
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Fishing
- related event
- The Emergence of Modern America
- Record ID
- nmah_1322186
- Metadata Usage (text)
- CC0
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-0846-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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