Vintage mid century Peek Frean biscuit or tea caddy tin very decorative. This amazing condition very bright, tin shows an embossed scene of deers/ antelopes by a tree possibly Africa? Some age related wear.
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12 cm hexagon 14 cm tall
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Peek Frean, a prominent biscuit manufacturer, was founded in 1857 by James Peek and George Hender Frean in Bermondsey, London. The company gained fame for popular biscuits like the "Pearl" and "Pat-A-Cake". Peek Frean merged with Huntley & Palmers in 1921 to form Associated Biscuits Manufacturers Ltd.
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Early Days: The company started in a former sugar refinery on Mill Street in Dockhead, Bermondsey.
Innovative Biscuits: Peek Frean is credited with creating the "Pearl" biscuit in 1865, a lighter, sweeter biscuit that revolutionized the market. This was followed by the "Marie" biscuit, named after an Austrian princess, and the shortbread-based "Pat-A-Cake".
Expansion and Growth: By the late 19th century, the company expanded, opening new factories, including one in Bermondsey to replace the original, and even establishing a presence in India through the acquisition of The Britannia Biscuit Company Limited.
Mergers and Acquisitions: In 1921, Peek Frean merged with Huntley & Palmers to form Associated Biscuits Manufacturers Ltd. Later, the company was acquired by RJR Nabisco in 1987, and its European operations, including the Bermondsey factory, were eventually closed down.
Global Presence: While the UK operations ceased, the Peek Frean brand name continued to be used in other parts of the world, including North America (owned by Kraft Foods) and Pakistan (owned by English Biscuit Manufacturers).
Recent Developments: In 2017, the Peek Frean trademark was acquired by a descendant of the Peek family, with plans to potentially bring the brand back to UK shelves according to Southwark News.