Vintage 1940s Pilgrim Brand Crate Label — California Fruits, Mayflower Fruit Ass'n, Exeter CA, Blue Anchor

Behold! This extraordinary vintage 1940s Pilgrim Crate Label is a true masterpiece, grown and packed by the Mayflower Fruit Association of Exeter, California. This captivating piece is not merely a label; it's a mesmerizing fusion of art and history, a cultural gem that will transport you back to a bygone era of American agriculture and design.

Measuring an impressive 13" x 4", this 1940s Pilgrim crate label exhibits little to no wear. It's a testament to the quality and durability of these vintage treasures!

The Mayflower Fruit Association, a titan in the fruit industry since its inception in 1924, strategically positioned its packing plant along the Southern Pacific Railroad. This prime location allowed for the swift transportation of their succulent, sun-ripened fruits to eager markets across the nation. Imagine the excitement as crates adorned with this very label rolled into towns, bringing a taste of California's bountiful harvest!

Words and images simply cannot capture the true magnificence of this vintage label. The rich hues, the intricate details, and the palpable sense of history must be experienced in person to be fully appreciated.

Crate labels like this 1940s Pilgrim masterpiece are far more than mere works of art; they are tangible links to an era of American ingenuity and agricultural prowess. The exceptional lithography process employed in their creation remains unrivaled even by today's advanced printing technologies. It's no wonder that prestigious museums and art institutes dedicate entire galleries to these remarkable pieces of Americana. As the number of discerning collectors seeking to preserve these historical treasures grows, the available supply dwindles. Once these limited editions find their way into private collections or gallery displays, they will become increasingly elusive, their value as historical artifacts skyrocketing.

Picture this exquisite vintage advertising piece gracing the walls of your home, a conversation starter that showcases your refined taste and appreciation for history and art. Whether displayed in your kitchen, dining room, or study, this 1940s Pilgrim crate label will infuse your space with a touch of nostalgia and timeless elegance.

📋 What Is Printed On This Label

Every line of type on the sheet, transcribed from the label itself rather than paraphrased:

• Pilgrim
• BRAND
• California Fruits
• BLUE ANCHOR
• CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE
• GROWN AND PACKED BY
• MAYFLOWER FRUIT ASS'N. EXETER, CALIFORNIA
• CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE, SELLING AGENTS
• PRODUCE OF U.S.A.
• REG. U. S. PAT. OFF.

Printer: no lithographer's imprint, form number or plate code appears anywhere on this sheet. None is claimed here.

Blue Anchor / California Fruit Exchange. The round anchor emblem printed on this sheet is the mark of the California Fruit Exchange, the Sacramento-based co-operative that marketed California's deciduous fruit — pears, grapes, plums and stone fruit — under the Blue Anchor brand. It is a different organisation from the California Fruit Growers Exchange, whose mark is Sunkist and whose business was citrus. The two are constantly confused; this label belongs to the deciduous side and carries no Sunkist mark.

What the sheet prints. The product line is the green script California Fruits — no single fruit is named. GROWN AND PACKED BY / MAYFLOWER FRUIT ASS'N. EXETER, CALIFORNIA gives the packer, and CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE, SELLING AGENTS is printed separately: the Exchange sold the fruit, the association packed it, and neither printed the label.

The Blue Anchor roundel sits left of centre — a navy fouled anchor with CALIFORNIA lettered on the stock and FRUIT / EXCHANGE on the ribbon, BLUE ANCHOR in red. REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. is in pale-blue microtype at lower right and PRODUCE OF U.S.A. at lower left.