Original old (not reproductions) citrus crate labels that can be purchased. Crate labels have long been popular collector items among citrus enthusiast. - Millet (363 ABO-)

http://citrusroots.com/labels.html

I have a few citrus crate labels purchased from USA and now framed.
Sellers always claim these are originals, and yet they are available quite cheaply in large quantities and in pristine condition.
Are these really originals? If so, how come so many have survived so well?
I'm old enough to remember wooden 'orange boxes' in which fruit were imported from Mediterranean countries to England. I think these also had colourful labels at each end, but I've never seen one for sale. Why the difference from the US?
Mike/Citrange

Mike, I could be wrong but I believe "Citrus Roots" is associated with the California Citrus State Historical Park, which is located in Riverside California just north of UCR.
.http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/california/calcitruspark.html

The California Citrus Historical Park is part of the State of California park system. I bet you could get your question answered by telephoning or sending an E-mailto Citrus Roots and ask them your question. Millet (344 ABo-)

I did as you suggested, and here is the exact reply - only partly answers the questions:

Quote:

Today, the inexpensive labels were saved by being in the attic or under the stairs. The labels which were out in the packing area went to the dumps. Now... they are rare, and sell for $500 and on up.... As to the paper the original crate labels were printed on, they were intended to be glued on a "box head" so the paper was not the best in quality. All of the labels were printed prior to 1954, the year the conversion to a paper-board box became into effect. The "telling tale" is this old, poor quality paper, has yellowed with age...! Today, if the label is printed on a fair quality of paper, and the back side is white...there is a strong probability it is a copy.!

Probably the best collection of Florida crate labels is held by the Florida Citrus Archives, here on our Florida Southern College campus. It is made up of the private collections of three major collectors, as well as several smaller collections, which have been donated. They have all been scanned, so digital copies are used for displays; the originals can be kept under archival conditions. We also have some California labels, but not by any means a large collection of those.

As part of the Citrus Expo, Malcolm, and the folks at Florida Southern, took us on a tour of the Florida Citrus Archives, where we got to see many of the old crates, labels and other historical artifacts related to the citrus industry. Thanks to our hosts, it was the best Citrus Expo so far, and I have attended them all.