Antique Edwardian Boy Blue Licorice Nougat Tin – George W. Horner & Co.

Antique Edwardian Boy Blue Licorice Nougat Tin – George W. Horner & Co. (c.1910–1925)

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A wonderfully characterful original early 20th-century confectionery advertising tin, this striking example was produced for Boy Blue Licorice Nougat by the renowned British sweet makers George W. Horner & Co. Ltd, with works in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and offices in London.

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Standing an impressive 22cm tall with a 14cm diameter, this is a large, display-worthy tin that immediately draws the eye.

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The warm terracotta-red ground is richly lithographed with bold typography and charming Edwardian imagery, featuring the Boy Blue figure blowing a horn while seated on a rustic stile — a romantic pastoral scene typical of early 1900s British advertising.

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Beneath the title sits the reassuring slogan “The Guarantee of Goodness”, alongside the maker’s mark “Made by Horner”, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for quality confectionery at the turn of the century.

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Maker history

George W. Horner & Co. were among Britain’s most respected confectioners in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, particularly celebrated for licorice and nougat. Their tins are now highly collectible, prized for their strong graphics, storytelling artwork, and links to Britain’s industrial and commercial heritage.

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Condition

This tin is in original, unrestored condition, showing honest signs of age and use consistent with a piece over 100 years old:

Surface wear, spotting, and patina throughout

Areas of oxidation and age-darkening, including the interior

Wear along the vertical seam and edges

Original fitted lid present

All graphics and lettering remain clear and legible, and the tin retains excellent visual impact. This untouched patina is exactly what collectors look for and adds greatly to its authenticity and charm.

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Measurements

Height: 22 cm

Diameter: 14 cm

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Why we love it

This is more than a tin — it’s a piece of Edwardian advertising art. Bold, nostalgic, and full of character, it works beautifully as a decorative object while also appealing to collectors of antique tins, confectionery ephemera, and British social history.

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Perfect for:

Vintage kitchen or pantry display

Open shelving or cabinet styling

Collectors of Horner tins or early advertising

Rustic, industrial, or country-house interiors

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A genuine, early 20th-century British advertising tin with real presence, history, and soul — a standout survivor from Britain’s golden age of confectionery.