Vintage Latter 1940s Folger's 1 Lb. Tin Coffee Can w/Tin Slip Lid

Description

Folgers Coffee of San Francisco traces its lineage back to 1850. Gold miners from the urban East missed their fresh ground coffee from back home during the Gold Rush, and James Folger, 26, quickly figured out that he could make more money selling coffee to them than mining gold himself. His new company was called J.A. Folger & Co. beginning in 1872. He encouraged “cup-testing” of coffee for taste and appearance, a first. The company grew quickly, selling freshly ground coffees under the Folgers Coffee brand as well as others depending on the grade of the beans. James Folger II took Folgers national starting in the 1890s, using its bulk roasted coffee to spread the name throughout the country. In the 1900s, Folgers Coffee built new roasting and can packaging plants in Texas and Kansas City but missed out on the early vacuum-packaging trend until the World War I years.
Folgers was purchased by Procter & Gamble in 1963, makers of other coffees like Millstone and Highpoint. They removed the apostrophe from the name that year so that is one way to date cans and other collectibles. In turn, the J.M. Smucker Co. bought the brand from P&G in 2008. It has been one of the largest selling coffee buyers in the world since the mid-20
th
century, and established its name through aggressive print, radio, television, and online advertising. From 1965 to 1986, Folger’s cast TV actress Virginia Christine as “Mrs. Olson,” a matronly woman who counseled young married baby boomers (makes one think of clueless millennials today) on how to make good coffee. “It’s Mountain Grown,” she said in a Swedish accent, “It’s the richest kind.” She appeared in more than 100 Folger’s commercials, was lampooned by comedians such as Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, and Jackie Gleason, and her hometown of Stanton, Iowa, repainted their city water tower to resemble a giant coffee pot.
The can measures the standard 3.5 (9 cm) x 5 (13 cm) inches and is in good condition. Some corrosion on sides but paint is still visible. Top is rusted but structurally sound and bottom has bits of rust. Has a nice looking patina. This would be a perfect addition to a country or general store display or an old farm recreation. With or without the slip lid it makes a perfect storage container, candle holder, planter, or pen and pencil can. Or it could be for that something special you want to keep safe from the rest of the world. Shipped free in the US. Check out our other advertising collectibles at www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshop.
EE29005