Vintage 1940s Quail Brand Crate Label 🍎 Contra Costa Bartlett Pears, Blue Anchor California Fruit Exchange, Valley Quail Bird Art

Introducing the extraordinary vintage 1940s Quail Crate Label, a true gem marketed under the Blue Anchor mark of the California Fruit Exchange from Sacramento, California! This exquisite piece of Americana isn't just a label; it's a portal to a bygone era that'll make any collector's heart race with excitement.

Measuring an impressive 10 1/4" x 7 1/2", this label shows little to no wear. Talk about a rare find!

This Quail Crate Label isn't your run-of-the-mill collectible. It's a vibrant slice of American history that'll transport you back to the golden age of fruit crates. The stunning rustic design featuring a majestic quail is a feast for the eyes, perfectly capturing the essence of vintage bird and hunting decor. History buffs and art enthusiasts alike will be clamoring to add this beauty to their collection!

But wait, there's more! The anchor symbol emblazoned on this label isn't just a pretty picture. It's a powerful emblem with a fascinating backstory. Suggested by George Cutter, a visionary Newcastle orchardist and one of the brilliant minds behind CalEx, the anchor made its debut in 1904. This symbol of stability and unparalleled quality quickly became the face of the California Fruit Exchange, earning its stripes as a registered trademark in 1923. Talk about a badge of honor!

Now, let's talk about what makes these crate labels truly special. These aren't just pieces of paper; they're masterpieces born from the incredible lithography process. Imagine skilled artisans meticulously etching designs onto stone or metal plates, creating works of art that modern technology still can't quite replicate. It's no wonder these labels are causing a stir in the art world! Museums and art institutes are scrambling to dedicate entire galleries to these beauties. And here's the kicker - once these limited-edition treasures find their forever homes on collectors' walls or in prestigious galleries, they'll be as rare as hen's teeth. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of this artistic revolution!

Can you picture it? This extraordinary piece of vintage advertising, brimming with history and charm, could be the showstopper in your home decor. Why settle for a boring old print when you can have a genuine piece of Americana that'll have your guests green with envy? This Quail Crate Label isn't just a collectible; it's a conversation starter, a time machine, and a work of art all rolled into one. Don't let this opportunity fly away - make this stunning label the crown jewel of your collection today!

📋 What Is Printed On This Label

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

• QUAIL
• BRAND
• CONTRA COSTA
• BARTLETTS
• NET WEIGHT
• 46 LBS.
• BLUE ANCHOR
• CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE
• SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
• UNITED STATES
• OF AMERICA
• REGISTERED U. S. PAT. OFF. 1919

Printer: a lithographer's imprint is physically present on this sheet, but it is set in microtype below what the photographs resolve. It is left unread rather than guessed at — a flat re-scan of that corner would settle it.

This is a Bartlett pear label. CONTRA COSTA / BARTLETTS is printed in the second-largest type on the whole sheet, directly beneath the brand. Contra Costa County was serious Bartlett country, and NET WEIGHT 46 LBS. at the upper left is the standard pear box weight. The bird is the brand; the pears are the cargo.

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.

A printed registration year. REGISTERED U. S. PAT. OFF. 1919 is set in small black capitals on the sand at bottom centre. That is the trademark registration date printed on the object — it dates the MARK, not this printing of the sheet.

Two roundels, not one. The yellow Blue Anchor emblem sits at the lower left; right of centre is a second, orange-ringed roundel enclosing a painted orchard valley with mountains behind, lettered CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE above and SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA below. Sacramento is the Exchange's own headquarters — the fruit district this label names is Contra Costa. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is set in tall condensed black capitals at the lower right.

The bird. A California valley quail in profile, topknot plume curling forward, scaled breast and flank feathers finely rendered, standing in tall seeding grasses under a violet-blue dusk sky.

On condition. These are sold from an unused stack, so this describes the printing rather than one individual sheet: the ink is unfaded, the stock is unmounted and ungummed, and the sheet was never applied to a crate. Anything materially wrong with a particular sheet is disclosed plainly.