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Extremely hard-to-find antique WWI-era Pacific Coast Biscuit Co. Swastika Brand Ginger Snaps paper barrel.
A scarce early advertising packaging survivor!
Up for sale is a remarkably rare, 100% authentic piece of early 20th-century American country store advertising: a Pacific Coast Biscuit Company "Swastika Brand" Ginger Snaps Countertop Barrel.
Dating roughly between 1917 and 1920, this heavy pressed cardboard/fiberboard container is a phenomenal survivor of World War I-era metal rationing when food companies shifted from tin to fiber containers.
This specific piece is a critical historical artifact from the famous Nabisco vs. Pacific Coast Biscuit Co. trademark war. Following the 1914 lawsuit, the company began phasing out the physical swastika graphic (which they had trademarked as a "Good Luck" symbol in 1907) to avoid consumer confusion with Nabisco's red seal.
This container represents that fascinating transition era, proudly bearing the bold text "A Snow Flake Bakers Product - Swastika Brand - Ginger Snaps" without displaying the co-opted visual icon.
"Provenance Note: Handwritten in period-accurate pencil near the top edge of the label is the notation 'Astor 1931'.
This is a wonderful piece of historical context, showing the barrel was repurposed or inventoried in 1931, immediately after Nabisco purchased the Pacific Coast Biscuit Company in 1930 and retired the brand line.
"The "Astor" Connection: The word "Astor" most likely references one of two things:
The Astor Market: Opened in the early 20th century, the historic Astor Market was a massive, progressive indoor multi-merchant grocery venue based in New York.
The Astor Hotel Supply / Local Grocer: It could also represent a regional West Coast grocer, a hotel kitchen (like the famous Astor Hotel networks), or a neighborhood market owner's surname who reused the barrel to hold something else in 1931.
Condition Report:
- Structure: The cardboard barrel is structurally sound, holding its classic round shape beautifully.
- Lid: Includes the incredibly hard-to-find original removable lid! Most of these lids were thrown away by shopkeepers, making this a complete set.
- Label: The paper wrap label is mostly intact and entirely legible. It features a few expected tears along the top perimeter edge where the lid was repeatedly lifted to serve customers.
- Patina: Displays an honest, untouched primitive look with a fair amount of surface dirt and light staining. It has NOT been cleaned, washed, or restored, leaving its beautiful, authentic country-store character fully intact for the next collector.
