Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2039:
Description
Wonderful grouping of early Canadian mercantile history featuring the legendary Hudson’s Bay Company. This lot includes a substantial 5-lb “Fort Garry Brand” whole roast coffee tin from the HBC Wholesale Branch in Winnipeg, boasting classic lithographed graphics of a frontier fort and indigenous encampment. The “Fort Garry” brand was a staple of the HBC’s transition from fur trading to modern retail in the early 20th century, named after the historic fort that stood at the heart of Winnipeg. Accompanying it is a smaller “Fort York” vacuum-packed coffee tin with its signature blue and red “Refreshes and Revives” branding, likely dating to the 1930s or 40s. The lot is rounded out by a small “Guaranteed Fresh” puck-shaped item containing a red powdery substance, likely a vintage pigment or floral dye. The large tin shows significant surface wear, oxidation, and paint loss consistent with age, while the smaller tin remains in better condition with some minor rim rust and light scratches. The bagged item shows heavy aging and staining to the wrapper. Large Tin: H 9.75″, W 7.25″, D 7.25″; Small Tin: H 3.75″, W 5.25″, D 5.25″; Puck: H 1.25″, W 2.5″, D 2.5″. Please see photos.
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