Culinary Pamphlet Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Culinary Pamphlet Collection, Ms2011-002, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
8.6 Cubic Feet 8 boxes; 1 oversize folder
Abstract:
The collection includes small publications and pamphlets created and distributed by culinary, appliance, and food-related companies from about the 1870s to the 1990s. Most pamphlets contain advertisements, recipes, product information, testimonials, or some combination of all four.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Culinary Pamphlet Collection, Ms2011-002, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The Culinary Pamphlet Collection is an artificial collection created in January 2011. The collection includes small publications and pamphlets created and distributed by culinary, appliance, and other food-related companies from about the 1870s to the 1990s. Most pamphlets contain advertisements, recipes, product information, testimonials, or some combination of all four.

The collection represents a diverse set of companies and products. Examples include items from the World War II era with recipes and tips for rationing and substituting for "Victory," publications featuring recipes using a specific kitchen appliance, weight loss hints from the National Dairy Council, and recipe books produced by heating and air conditioning vendors as advertising. The majority of titles in the collection relate to specific food products, especially flour, baking powder, baking soda, and various gelatines like Knox and Jell-O.

Please note: Earlier Mazola Corn Oil pamphlets may also be found under "Corn Products Refining Company."

This folder includes publications produced by Church & Dwight Co. predecessor, John Dwight and Company.

Please note: Later Mazola Corn Oil pamphlets may also be found under "Best Foods, Inc."

This folder also contains publications from corporations owned by General Electric Company and predecessor companies including Edison General Electric Appliance Co., Inc., Edison General Electric Company, and Edison Electrical Institute.

Please note: Jell-O publications are filed under "Genesee Pure Food Co." Publications from other General Foods Corporation predecessor companies may be found under "Minneapolis Mill Company." Publications from smaller divisions of the General Foods Corporation are in this folder.

This folder was divided into two folders (labeled 25a and 25b) when the number of pamphlets exceeded the folder capacity. Both folders are together in the collection.

This folder also contains pamphlets from The Cox Gelatine Company, a U.S. distributor of J. & G. Cox products.

This group of materials also includes publications from Phenix Cheese Company, which was acquired by Kraft in 1928. It also includes pamphlets by other companies acquired by or representative of divisions of Kraft.

This also includes materials from predecessor company "The Frank Tea & Spice Co."

See also Cereal Machine Company, Royal Baking Powder Company, and Standard Brands Incorporated. This folder also includes publications from The Fleischmann Company, a predecessor to company, prior to its merger with Standard Brands Incorporated in 1929.

This folder also includes pamphlets from other companies purchased by Pet Milk Company in the early 20th century, including Sego Milk Products Company (owned by the Utah Condensed Milk Company), bought in 1925, and the Mountain Pass Canning Company.

Richard Hellmann, Inc. was later bought out by Best Foods, Inc. Additional Best Foods, Inc. publications are located in the "Best Foods, Inc." folder.

Please note: Later Royal Baking Powder Company publications (after 1929) can be found under "Standard Brands Incorporated." See also "Cleveland Baking Powder Co. (New York, N.Y.)."

This folder also has pamphlets from subsidiaries and acquisitions of Sealtest, Inc., including the Supplee-Wills-Jones Milk Company.

Please note: Earlier Royal Baking Powder Company publications (prior to 1929) can be found under "Royal Baking Powder Company."

Biographical / historical:

The Cereal Machine Company was established in 1892. It also known as The Shredded Wheat Company, a name change that became permanent after 1908. As additional plants were built between 1895 and 1925, most had a separate name, including The Natural Food Company (Niagara Falls), The Canadian Shredded Wheat Company (Niagara Falls), and The Pacific Shredded Wheat Company (Oakland, CA), although all produced the same cereal. Eventually, The Shredded Wheat Company was bought out by The National Biscuit Company, now Nabisco Brands, Inc.

Lea & Perrins, Inc. is the American subsidiary of Lea & Perrins, Limted.

The company had a long list of predecessors with varying names including (in reverse chronological order) Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer; Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green; Longman, Green, Longman & Roberts; Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts; Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans; Longman, Brown & Co; Longman, Orme & Co.; Longman, Orme, Brown, Green & Longmans; Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman. Prior to this the company appears to have two roots: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green (previously: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown; Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme; Longman and Rees (London, England); T.N. Longman and O. Rees; Messrs. Longman and Rees; T. N. Longman (Firm)).

New York State Electric and Gas Corporation was consolidated in 1916 from the Homer and Cortland Gas Light Company (N.Y.), Ithaca Electric Light and Power Company (N.Y.), Ithaca Gas Light Company (N.Y.), and Norwich Gas and Electric Company (N.Y.).

The Pet Milk Company first began as the Helvetia Milk Condensing Company in 1885. In 1923, it was renamed Pet Milk Company, after its best-selling brand. After World War II and through the 1960s, it expanded into other markets, acquiring a variety of food-product-based companies in the United States and Canada.

It is likely this company was related to the Dr. Price Baking Powder, later acquired by Royal Baking Powder and then Standard Brands Incorporated.

Prior to incorporation in 1901 as the Quaker Oats Company, the company was known as The American Cereal Co. Pre-1901 pamphlets in this folder are copyrighted under this earlier name.

Acquisition information:
The initial materials in this collection were part of two separate donations given to Special Collections and University Archives in 2010. Additional accruals are expected in the future.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Culinary Pamphlet Collection was completed in January 2011. Additional description is expected as materials are added to the collection.

Arrangement:

Publications and pamphlets are sorted by the name of the parent companies. Companies are arranged in alphabetical order. Since many companies changed names over time, an effort has been made to provide as many company names as possible. The earliest known company is listed first with subsequent names in parentheses.

Within each parent company, pamphlets are in chronological order. Each folder includes a bibliography of pamphlet and publication titles, dates, and authors, where known. Cross-references to other companies are listed at the folder level, if applicable.