Vintage Huntley and Palmers biscuit tin adorned with chrysanthemums

Huntley and Palmer vintage biscuit tin in an oval shape with decorative handles which are quite rare to find. It has an elegant chrysanthemums style pattern to the top and sides in a radiant deep blue. Some age related wear.

We have two Huntley and Palmer's tins. May sell together please contact us for pricing etc

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Size: 30cm x 20cm x 9cm

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Huntley & Palmers was a famous biscuit company founded in Reading, England, in 1822 by Joseph Huntley as a small bakery. After his son Thomas joined and the business grew, George Palmer became a partner in 1841, leading to the company's renaming and rapid expansion into a global business and the world's largest biscuit manufacturer by 1900. The company's biscuit production in Reading ceased in 1976, but its legacy as the driving force behind Reading's nickname, "Biscuit Town," is preserved in the www.readingmuseum.org.uk Reading Museum's Huntley & Palmers Collection.

Founding and Early Growth

1822:

Joseph Huntley, a Quaker schoolmaster, opened a small bakery in Reading. Biscuits were sold from a basket to travelers on the busy London to Bath road.

1829:

Huntley's son, Thomas, joined the firm, and it became Joseph Huntley & Son.

1841:

George Palmer, another Quaker and future MP for Reading, became a partner, and the company was renamed Huntley & Palmers.

Becoming a Global Giant

1846:

A large factory was opened on Kings Road, enabling expansion and innovation, including the development of machines for continuously producing fancy biscuits.

Global Expansion:

George Palmer drove the business's growth, appointing agents across the country and establishing an international presence. The distinctive garter and buckle trademark, created in 1851, helped make the brand recognizable worldwide.

Dominance by 1900:

The company was the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world, employing over 5,000 people and becoming a significant industrial company.

Decline and Legacy

End of Production: Biscuit production in Reading ended in 1976.

Reading's "Biscuit Town": The company's immense impact on the city's economy and growth earned Reading the nickname "Biscuit Town".

Preservation of History: The Huntley & Palmers Collection at the www.readingmuseum.org.uk Reading Museum preserves the company's extensive archives, documenting its fascinating history and significant role in modern Reading's development.