Vintage 1930s Thorne’s Extra Super Crème Toffee Tin Henry Thorne & Co Ltd Leeds

This is a lovely bit of old-fashioned British confectionery advertising. The little girl and begging dog are particularly useful for dating it: the distinctive Thorne’s “It’s too good for you, Spot!” design was registered as a trademark around 1924, and closely related red tins with this girl-and-dog design are documented from around 1935.

10 cm wide

7 cm depth

4 cm tall

Given the genuine age, recognisable graphics and wonderfully timeworn condition, priced at £22

Vintage 1930s Thorne’s Extra Super Crème Toffee Tin – Henry Thorne & Co Ltd Leeds

A wonderfully nostalgic original advertising tin for Thorne’s Extra Super Crème Toffee, produced by Henry Thorne & Co Ltd of Leeds and dating to approximately the 1930s.

Finished in a rich red with decorative gilt borders, the hinged lid features the charming and instantly recognisable Thorne’s illustration of a little girl teasing a patiently begging dog, together with the famous slogan:

“It’s too good for you, Spot!”

The sides repeat the Thorne’s Extra Super Crème Toffee branding, while one end is clearly printed “Henry Thorne & Co Ltd, Leeds.”

The girl-and-dog design became closely associated with Thorne’s Extra Super Crème Toffee during the interwar period. Research into the company records that the design and its “Spot” slogan were registered as a trademark around 1924, with surviving examples of this particular style dating from around the mid-1930s.

Maker History

Henry Thorne & Co was a Leeds firm with roots going back well beyond its famous toffee production. Founder Henry Thorne was a Quaker who initially worked in mustard milling before experimenting with cocoa manufacture and establishing works in Lady Lane, Leeds. The company went on to produce cocoa, chocolate, sweets and toffee, eventually becoming particularly well known for its Extra Super Crème Toffee.

Although Thorne’s never achieved quite the nationwide recognition of Cadbury or Rowntree, it became a significant Leeds confectionery manufacturer. By the 1960s the company's factory was reportedly producing more than two million individually wrapped pieces of confectionery during an 8½-hour working day.

Today the surviving advertising tins have become collectible pieces of British social and commercial history, particularly those carrying the delightful “Spot” artwork.

Condition

A genuine vintage example with plenty of age-related character. There is considerable rubbing and loss to the printed decoration, surface scratching, darkening, oxidation and general wear to the edges and corners. The red and gilt decoration nevertheless remains very attractive and the principal lettering and charming girl-and-dog illustration are still clearly visible.

The hinged lid opens correctly. The interior has age-related marking, discolouration and surface wear. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

For us, the wear is very much part of this tin's appeal – it looks exactly like something that has survived decades behind the counter of an old-fashioned sweet shop.

Why We Love It

It is the graphics that make this one. The little dog sitting hopefully beside the girl, the wonderfully over-the-top “Extra Super Crème” wording and that cheeky slogan are pure period advertising. A smashing little piece for a collection of antique tins, confectionery memorabilia or vintage kitchenalia.

Ideal displayed on an old pine dresser, kitchen shelf or alongside other early advertising pieces.

Suggested Price: £22

Vintage 1930s Thorne’s Extra Super Creme Toffee Tin Henry Thorne Leeds Spot Dog

definitely describe this as 1930s rather than simply “vintage” — we have unusually good evidence for dating this particular Thorne’s design.