1 ½ oz. Free Sample Box

Jack Sprat Coffee

Box & Store Window Sign

This set came from the large Blaul's Iowa warehouse auction in 2002. John Blaul's & Sons were a major player in the coffee bean importing, and roasting then selling to re-packagers from the early 1900's through WW II. They brought up boatloads of imported foods on the Mississippi to their Cedar Rapids and Burlington Iowa processing plants and then shipped them west on trains to the new western frontier towns.

They would ship large barrels and gunny sacks of roasted coffee beans along with retail packaging materials so the Ma & Pa General stores could fresh grind and bag their coffee on the premises.

This box is 3 ¾ inches high, 2 ¼  inches wide and an inch thick. It held enough to brew a sample pot of Jack Sprat Coffee. Free samples were a method to compete even though the coffee beans were roasted by the same processor, other major shippers would make up a brand name and supply retailing materials.

"Jack Sprat" coffee was Packed by Western Grocer Mills of Marshalltown Iowa. The side panel says it was distributed by several wholesalers; H.L. Spencer Co. Oskaloosa, Iowa ~ Letts-Fletcher Co. Marshalltown & Carroll Iowa ~ Letts-Spencer-Smith Co. Sheldon & Mason City Iowa ~ Letts-Melick Grocer Co. St. Joseph, Mo. & Eldorado Kas. & McCook, Nebr. ~ Western Grocer Co. Alberta Lea, Minn. & Dubuque, Iowa & Clinton, Iowa & Owatonna, Minn. & Cedar Rapids, Iowa & Minneapolis, Minn. ~ Western Grocer Mills, Marshalltown, Iowa. These were all cities with Railroad heads for tracks that led west to the expanding frontier to supply the growing population centers west of the Mississippi.

Each 100 Lb. gunny sack of roasted coffee beans would be shipped with several dozens of Jack Sprat 5 Lb. coffee bags (Sorry, none left), several 1 Lb. Boxes (Sorry, none left) and a dozen or so "Free Sample Boxes" like these, and a few window or counter signs that advertised Jack Sprat Coffee. The sign is 13 inches by 3 ½ inches. These were sealed in a cardboard box in a dry warehouse. Minor age condensation marks, some warpage on the sign, otherwise no fading, no mildew.  Excellent Condition!

 This lot consists of one of the sample boxes + one of the point of sale signs as shown in the photos above.

You get both the unused sample box and the sign! We carefully package them and send it first class mail.

 5752                                                                                                                                             Price . . . . .$17.85

Illinois residents pay sales tax. We're happy to combine shipments where practical to save you $$$. We accept PayPal, etc.  Bookmark it! Check us occasionally. We list neat stuff like this all the time!


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eBays A.I. Description;
Experience the taste of history with this Jack Sprat Coffee Box and Store Display Sign. Made in the United States, this original piece of advertising memorabilia is a true collector's item. The free sample size and coffee box sign evoke memories of a bygone era when coffee was a staple in every household. Whether you're a coffee lover or a collector of vintage advertising, this Jack Sprat Coffee Box and Store Display Sign is sure to impress. The intricate design is eye-catching, and the originality of the piece adds to its value. Add this to your collection today and enjoy a piece of history.