Christmas Shopping in the 19th Century
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009As I unsuccessfully attempted to do my Christmas shopping at the weekend – I was confronted by a vast array of colourful packaging and it got me wondering what it must of been like to go Christmas shopping for my parents or grandparents years ago. So I dug out Label Design by Claude Humbert I bought a few years ago in a second hand book shop which has a diverse range of labels and packaging from the 19th century and the 20th century. As we were reading through the book in the office we thought it would be fun to put together a Christmas shopping list from the book. After work we got busy choosing and scanning the labels we thought we might find in a 19th century home during the festive season. Unfortunately all the labels are in black and white but the rich detail in the designs are still visible to be appreciated. Its amazing how detailed these labels are, the strength of the typography and how incredibly well they have aged. We are currently working on a brand for a food company that is inspired by these type of labels but with a modern twist. Later in the week we might do a 20th century collection of labels that you might find in a home during Christmas in the early 1900’s.
Label designs for British Columbian Salmon, Gingerbread and Damson Jam by Lawrence Joyce Liverpool
Beauty products and bathroom items label design Epsom Salts and Beauty Cream products label design that could of been found in the 1800's bathroom
Label design for knife polish and camping furniture that could been on Santa's List! Far right a disinfectant label probably used to clean up after the Christmas party
Labels for soap from Lautz Bro's and Soapine that could of been a socking filler over the fireplace in the 1800's. Textile labels of clothing from F.S.Cleaver and Nilsson Skirt that could of been under the Christmas tree in the 19th century
What someone would need to buy in the 19th Century to send Christmas cards, pencils, paper, envelopes and postcards
Detailed labels designed in the 19th century for Royal biscuits, Sweet Chocolate, Dunn & Hewett Cocoa and Walter Williams Mountain Coffee designed in the 19th Century
Labels of liqueur for Elixir De Garus and mineral water designed in the 19th century
Alcohol labels from Guinness, C.F. Berger Acouvet, Malaga wine and wine from A. Siegfried Merian in Basel designed in the 19th century that might of been in the Christmas shopping trolley to celebrate the festive season
- Labels for Fine Castor Oil and Bi-Carbonate Soda with strong clear typography
