Although the First World War ended in 1918, its impact on the British economy mean that Huntley & Palmers did not issue any new fancy tins until the 1920s. Here you can see a selection of biscuit tin designs that Huntley & Palmers released between 1924 and the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
Wembley Exhibition tin, 1924
In April 1924 King George V opened the British Empire Exhibition at the newly built Wembley stadium. This tin was made for sale at Huntley & Palmers' stand at the exhibition. (REDMG : 1992.2.240)
Tank, 1927
This Tank tin may be seen as a reflection of the nationalism and focus on the military following the war. The design of the tank seems to be based on the Vickers medium tank, which was the standard British tank of the 1920s. (REDMG : 1992.2.244)
This is an example of a tin designed to be re-used in the home. When the eggcups were not in use they fitted neatly inside the tin but, as Franklin in his book on British biscuit tins points out, 'Where did the biscuits go?' (REDMG : 1992.2.249)
Grandfather clock, 1929
The tin was on sale for 2s from 1929 to 1932 and was a fairly expensive tin compared to other ornate tins produced at this time. The cost may have been due to its intricate design with moving hands on the clock face. (REDMG : 1971.76.1)
Book tin, 1930
This tin was inspired by Het Boek der Gebeden, a bound book from 1704 kept in the British Museum. Six years before this tin was produced, another book tin of the same size and title had been issued but in brown rather than red. (REDMG : 1992.2.251)
Verona, 1933
A tin which features William Holman Hunt's painting 'Valentine rescuing Sylvia from Proteus', a scene from Shakespeare's play Two Gentlemen of Verona. It was made by Huntley Boorne & Stevens of Reading using offset litho. (REDMG : 1992.2.260)
Zodiac,1937
Undoubtedly one of the most bizarre tins produced by Huntley and Palmers, what at first sight may appear to be a scene of ritual sacrifice is in fact a priest mixing himself a cocktail to go with his biscuits. (REDMG : 1992.2.296)
Souvenir tin, 1939
Produced to commemorate King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's royal visit to North America, the family portrait on the lid was a reproduction of a photograph by Marcus Adams of Reading. (REDMG : 1992.2.271)
Blue Scarf, 1939
This was one of the last tins to be issued during the Second World War. The tins for Christmas 1939 had been made before war was declared and by 1940 production of fancy tins had ceased, in favour of large square tins for the army. (REDMG : 1992.2.313)
The next section explores post-war tins.
