From the late 1800s to the mid 1950s, fruits and other produce were packed in wooden crates of various sizes and transported to markets where they were displayed for consumers. Crate labels were printed on paper and glued to the ends of the wooden crates. Attractive or informative crate labels were an important part of enticing consumers to choose one brand over another. Labels could be funny, elaborately decorative, serious or simply beautiful. They pictured everything from the produce being sold, to where it came from, to plays on words or puns involving the brand name. Competition kept packers working to improve their displays.
      By the 1950s, as more government regulations dictated the information that must be included on labels, preprinted boxes began to replace the wooden crates and their beautiful labels. With the loss of the crate and its label, an art form was lost. Today, this craftsmanship and artistry are finding new appreciation among collectors and anyone looking for unique vintage prints.