A fantastic antique circa 1901 English biscuit tin, made for Huntley & Palmer to resemble a stack of books with gilt edges and a leather strap! 

The British biscuit tin came into fashion with the Licensed Grocer’s Act of 1861, which allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. The first biscuit tin, transfer-printed and issued in 1868, was designed for the firm of Huntley & Palmers. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins…and biscuit tins were never the same again! The most ornate and complex biscuit tins were generally produced in the late 1800s up to World War I, with scarcity of tin and rising prices the practice was largely stopped by World War II.

In great condition for its 120+ years of age. There is some slight fading and wear to the colorful detail, and some dark speckling and fading to the gold book edges. No dents, though the pull tab on the top is gone so it’s a little difficult to tease it open and closed. Someone skilled with Metal could solder a little tab in its place if this bothers you.

Measures approximately 6.5” long by 6.25” high by 4.75” deep