From 1885 to 1955, the colorful paper labels we are selling were made to be glued on the end of wooden shipping boxes containing oranges and lemons. It is estimated that during that period of time there were over 10,000 different label designs produced for the California citrus industry alone. Each packer had between 3 and 9 different labels they used to sell their fruit.

In 1955 the citrus industry packers stopped using paper labels and wooden boxes for shipping. At that time they switched to shipping boxes made of cardboard with a simple two color brand name imprinted directly on the cardboard end.

Many thousands of the colorful old labels were left over in dusty packing house basements. Members of our family acquired those left over original old labels from the packers in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida and moved them to proper storage facilities. Those labels, acquired mostly in the 1960s and 1970s are what we are selling.

There were also similar labels for apples, grapes, pears, grapefruit, and all types of vegetables. Some of them were used into the 1960s, but most were no longer being used after 1970. Members of our family traveled around California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico acquiring original old labels from packing houses in those places as well. We are currently selling those type of original old labels too.

Some labels were found in larger numbers and others there were found in smaller numbers. It just depended on what was left over in the packing house basements or file cabinets at lithographers. Prices go up when our supply gets low and can get extremely high if the label is rare and image is especially desirable.

The different labels have different dimensions. That said, retail stores such as Walmart and Hobby Lobby generally cary satisfactory frames for the various sizes.

Of course, specific sizes and odd sizes of frames can always be found through a simple online search.

Be sure to use all acid free products that come into contact with the label. This will preserve the label well. Tape and/or glues are never to be used. If tape is necessary, an acid free mounting tape may be used.

If framed, make sure that an acid free mat and backing is used. Again, if tape is necessary, an acid free mounting tape is a must. Additionally, a UV filtering plexiglass is highly recommended. Remember, sunlight (UV light) is the worst enemy of inks.

No, all crate labels were fully discontinued between 1955 and 1960. Cardboard boxes with the images of the labels were printed on the ends of the cardboard boxes from then on.