Apple Box Attractions, Part 4

One of the earliest known

labels, the rare Swan Brand,

was printed in the early

part of the century by

stone lithography. 

Bavarian limestones,

weighing up to 300 pounds

each, were etched with

the design (a separate

stone was required for

each color) and printed

individually with secret

inks formulated by Dutch

lithographers. 

Most of the Washington

State labels were printed

in Seattle by Ridgeway

Lithographers.

In the case of one label,

the same illustration

-a pampered Persian Cat –

was used with different

background colors to

denote grades of apples.

The blue background told

the Los Angeles and

Eastern fruit buyers that

the apples were Extra Fancy

grade.  Red backgrounds and

borders denoted Fancy Grade. 

Green meant the apples were

“C” grade.

All manner of popular

portrait subjects of the

time were recreated

for labels by illustrators

of the era. 

A portrait gallery of

Northwest Indians

was created for brands

with names such as

Redman, Wenoka, Siwash,

Wenatchee Chief, Red Girl

and Skookum.  Even a

youthful Chief Joseph

lent his regal endorsement

to Wenatchee-grown apples. 

And while young and

beautiful girls were

always popular subjects,

an aging and ever-beautiful

Princess Angeline was

given tribute on boxes

of Extra Fancy grade

apples.  As World War 1

came to a close, apple

boxes gave patriotic tribute

to their country with

the Uncle Sam label.

Part 4