Huntley & Palmers' shop displays

Huntley & Palmers had always taken great care over their shop displays and used their experience at international exhibitions to repeat their success on the shop floor.

This type of sign would have been made for display in a quality grocer's shop. It features an early view of the factory around 1846. (REDMG : 1997.130.526)

A shop in Lyon displaying Huntley & Palmers biscuits. In 1924 Huntley & Palmers opened a factory in France at La Courneuve, Paris. Unfortunately, the factory was never truly profitable and in 1951 it was shut down. (REDMG : 1997.130.552)

The John Ginger character was created in 1933 to launch a major promotion of these popular biscuits. The Quaker character was a reminder of the company's Quaker roots. (REDMG : 1997.130.253)

In 1969 Huntley & Palmers became part of Associated Biscuits Ltd along with Jacobs and Peek Frean. This elaborate Jacobs display unit reflects how important shop displays were to biscuit manufacturers. (REDMG : 1999.2.15)

Biscuits were initially sold from large tins in the grocery shop. The shopkeeper would weigh out the required quantity of biscuits into paper bags. The tins had glass lids so that the customer could see the biscuits inside. (REDMG : 1998.1.91)

Huntley & Palmers and Peek Frean joined forces in 1921. This window display includes Huntley & Palmers 'Muffin the Mule' tins. Muffin the Mule was a 1950s television show for children and the tins were made as gifts for children. (REDMG : 2002.72.28)

1950s display rack of Huntley & Palmers biscuits in New York. By 1906 the company's products accounted for 94% of British biscuit exports to the USA, but only only accounted for 5.3% of Huntley & Palmers overseas trade (REDMG : 1999.2.204.2)

This shop display stand from the 1960s reflects the change from elaborate wooden units to a more modern and practical stand. These stands were used to hold paper-wrapped biscuits rather than tins. (REDMG : 1997.130.461)

In 1969 Huntley & Palmers had become part of Associated Biscuits Ltd which also included Peek Frean and Jacobs. In this 1975 export catalogue, Huntley & Palmers are offering display ideas as well as their biscuits. (REDMG : 1994.21.259)

While Huntley & Palmers became synonymous with British biscuits, the company made a range of sweet goods, including Huntley & Palmers' cakes.