The Crate Label
Original | Artistic | Historic
Our History
Crate Labels in the Family
After years of exposure to the artwork found on the familiar fruit crates of the time, Gordon McClelland began setting aside collections of crate labels. These labels were quickly becoming out of date when the “new”. cardboard box began to replace the heavier wooden crates used for the last 70 years of the citrus industry. But a few still recognized the artistic merit of the labels. Gordon was one of them.
After many years of selling and trading crate labels, Gordon began the Pacific Label Archives, which dealt directly with the business of crate labels. In addition, he co-authored two books on the subject of crate labels with Jay Last.
During this time, I, Austin McClelland, was watching the crate label business my entire childhood. There are many memories of crate labels filling rooms and displayed on the walls. Helping package labels for the Rose Bowl Flea Market that Gordon attended nearly every month are some of my earliest label memories.
Recently, I decided to begin my own crate label business,
The Crate Label
The focus of The Crate Label is to bring attention to these historic collectables. Their artistic merit, decorative quality, and historic significance make them particularly unique. We believe in the significance of these pieces and only deal original paper labels that were physically lithographed in antiquity. No Reproductions.
We hope to bring you the joy of collecting and holding these vintage pieces of history in your hands.
Always remember. The crate labels we sell are never reproductions.
Always original.
~ Austin McClelland
The Crate Label Begins
The Crate Label News
Whats new with The Crate Label.
Favorite Articles
Sunkist and Red Ball: Distinguishing Marks
Sunkist and Red ball Crate Label Markings of Quality By Austin McClelland A common site when looking among citrus crate labels is a particular notation
Tips on Detecting Reproductions (Tip #1)
One common question that arises frequently regards how to tell a reproduction crate label from an original crate label. To clarify and be fully honest,
The Crate Label Shop
Crate Labels for Sale
Labels added Daily!
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Come See Us in Person
Antique Markets We Regularly Attend
The Open Market OC
We have our new space at the Open Market OC at the Laguna Hills Mall! Come see us 7 days a week. The Open Market OC is a local vendor market for Orange County. 100,000 square feet of indoor market floor space filled with handcrafted goods, unique artifacts, art, food, clothing, and so much more! And of course. . . crate labels! Come on down to the Laguna Hills Mall and visit us at the Open Market OC!
See us at The Coast Vintage Market in Mission Viejo, California on the Second Sunday of every month. A fun, welcoming, and exciting vintage market experience. Great vintage booths, beyond friendly staff, food, and music all come together to make this one of the most enjoyable vintage markets. Did we mention free parking and free admission?
Every third Sunday of the month. Come on over to the Long Beach Antique Market. A unique and intriguing antiquing experience. A definate stop for antique collectors looking for a rare or great find! Always great finds to be had. Free parking. Entry approx. $12 to $7.
The 4th Sunday of SELECT months. Please check website for latest dates. The Redo market is a vintage and maker’s market that lives up to the name they are making for themselves. Music, food, antiques, maker’s, shade garden, and so much more make this a definite stop for any vintage shopper. Free entry. Free parking in approved areas.
Check out our Facebook Events page for more information on the locations you can find us!
This website and all information on this website is ©2019 Austin McClelland. Nothing on this website may be reproduced in any form without express written consent from Austin McClelland.