An album of laid down fruit wrappers, including examples from Spain, South Africa, Rhodesia, Italy, Brazil, etc.

EPHEMERA - FRUIT WRAPPERS, circa 1920-1930.

An album of laid down fruit wrappers, including examples from Spain, South Africa, Rhodesia, Italy, Brazil, etc. [Undated but probably circa 1920-1930]. Small quarto (8 x 6 3/8in; 203 x 162mm). 137 examples (136 examples on 32 pages, 1 example on inside rear cover), printed in 1-3 different colors. (All laid down, a few with damage to the image area). Original textured thick paper wrappers, leaves stapled in place (as issued) (Some leaves now loosely inserted, rubbing to extremities). Provenance: bought recently at auction in England. 

A spectacular selection of these highly ephemeral pieces of printing history  – the best designs are almost a folk art in their own rite. The dating can be problematic. I have dated the present selection using one particular label as a guide: on the third page is an ‘ “Our Sam” Brand Extra Selected’ label – English Rugby player Sam Tucker, known as ‘Our Sam’,  played his first International match in 1922 and his last in 1931. 

“The history of fruit wrappers dovetails nicely with the early practice of graphic design long before this term was ever coined. The practice of wrapping fruit with tissue papers "began as a means of controlling the spread of fungal decay" according to Maurice Rickards in his book Encyclopedia of Ephemera. They were originally introduced for wrapping citrus fruits like oranges and lemons in the late 19th century, but were later adopted for apricots, tomatoes and other produce. Soon growers discovered that these thin square paper wrappers could be effective marketing tools when printed with their identification. A typical wrapper would include the growers name, the brand name, the country of origin and an illustration. They were normally printed in three to five colors on large rotary presses with rubber plates; accounting for imprecise registration and loss of detail, similar to the printing found on old matchbooks.” (letterology.blogspot.com)