Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ironwork, Room 114c

F.A Cup

Biscuit Tin
1927 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The British biscuit tin came about when the Licensed Grocer's Act of 1861 allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. Coinciding with the removal of the duty on paper for printed labels. It was only a short step to the idea of printing directly on to tinplate. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins.

The most exotic designs were produced in the early years of the 20th century, just prior to the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, costs had risen substantially and the design of biscuit tins tended to be more conservative, with the exception of the tins targeted at the Christmas market and intended to appeal primarily to children. The designs, generally speaking are a barometer of popular interests.

The advent of the Second World War stopped all production of decorative tin ware and after it ended in 1945, the custom never really revived.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • F.A Cup (manufacturer's title)
  • M.J. Franklin Collection of British Biscuit Tins (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Aluminium, embossed.
Brief description
Biscuit tin, `F.A. Cup', aluminium, embossed, Stratford-on-Avon, made by N.C. Joseph Ltd., for Huntley & Palmers, 1927.
Physical description
Biscuit tin, aluminium embossed, a minature version of the Football Association trophy.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Of base diameter: 9.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
'F.A. CUP', 1926 Made in aluminium by N.C. Joseph Ltd. for Huntley & Palmers in preparation for Reading Football Club's anticipated victory at Wembley in 1927. The club lost in the semi-final to Cardiff City, 3-0, who went on to win the FA Cup in a match against Arsenal. This biscuit tin was never issued in Great Britain. Museum No. M.398-1983 (07/1994)
Credit line
Given by M. J. Franklin
Object history
M.J. Franklin Collection of British Biscuit Tins.

This biscuit tin was made in preparation for Reading Football Club's anticipated victory in the F.A. Cup final at Wembley in 1927. However the club lost in the semi-final against Cardiff City, held at the Molineaux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Although Reading were tipped as the stronger team, Cardiff convincingly beat them 3-0 and went on to play Arsenal in the final, winning the F.A. Cup. 1-0. Consequently this biscuit tin was never issued.
Association
Summary
The British biscuit tin came about when the Licensed Grocer's Act of 1861 allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. Coinciding with the removal of the duty on paper for printed labels. It was only a short step to the idea of printing directly on to tinplate. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins.

The most exotic designs were produced in the early years of the 20th century, just prior to the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, costs had risen substantially and the design of biscuit tins tended to be more conservative, with the exception of the tins targeted at the Christmas market and intended to appeal primarily to children. The designs, generally speaking are a barometer of popular interests.

The advent of the Second World War stopped all production of decorative tin ware and after it ended in 1945, the custom never really revived.
Bibliographic references
  • Michael Franklin, British Biscuit Tins, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1984, ISBN. 0905209621
Collection
Accession number
M.398-1983

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON