Object number
2007/28
Title
Seed order despatch tin,
Collection
Exhibition
Description
Metal box used by Suttons Seeds Ltd. for packaging seeds for export to the Tropics. They were soldered shut by tin smiths at Suttons.
Metal boxes or tins such as this were used by Suttons Seeds Ltd. for packaging seeds for export to the Tropics and southern hemisphere, before polyethelene and foil packing. The hermetically sealed tins, which were soldered shut by tin smiths at Suttons, insulated the seed against high relative humidity which affects its viability. This is a very small hinged tin with ‘Sutton’s Seeds // In use // throughout the world. // Sutton & Sons. Reading, England’ written on the lid and ‘Over 340 Medals & Orders // awarded to Suttons Seeds’ written on the base. It is part of a large collection of objects relating to Suttons Seeds Ltd., as well as other rural artefacts, compiled by John Cox, who worked at Suttons from 1931 to 1976, starting as an office boy and finishing as Company Secretary.
Physical description
1 box: metal
Label Text
From local to global // In the nineteenth century, Reading was home to several major industries. Suttons Seeds grew from a local shop into a global firm. In 1912 they established a Calcutta branch, from which they developed and grew seed for the UK and Indian markets. // Indian independence came in 1947 but colonial structures persisted. The last British Managing Director of the Calcutta branch was given this sign and silver salver when he retired in 1972. // Suttons and Sons (India) broke away from the parent company. It still trades out of Kolkata today. // MERL 2019/50-/51, 2007/28, 81/162.Ron [Butler]’s career with Sutton’s Seeds saw him travel to many different parts of the world. The company’s reach is shown by tins for products ‘in use throughout the world’ and the globe in the logo. // One office was based in India. This sign was given to the Museum by a colleague of Ron’s called John Hodges, who managed the Calcutta branch. It is shown alongside a silver salver presented to John when he retired in 1972. In a recent interview for the Museum, Ron spoke about these objects and about the international work that he did. // MERL 2019/50-/51, 2007/28, 81/162.
Archival history
Suttons Seeds Ltd. Torquay, Descriptions of Tools and Apparatus from Suttons Seeds once used in the Seed Industry – ’10. Seed Order Despatch Tins // Before the days of polyethelene and foil packaging, seed orders sent to the tropical regions of the world and to countries in the southern hemisphere, were despatched in purpose-made, hermetically sealed tins. This form of packaging ensured the seed would be insulated against the very high relative humidities of the tropics which have a devastating effect on seed viability. // The dimensions of the tins varied according to the size of the order, and the lids of the seed-pack tins were soldered on by Suttons own tin smiths.’, MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 2 August 2012 – Suttons Seeds Ltd. was founded in 1806 by John Sutton (1777–1863) and traded as a corn merchant. It was known as the ‘House of Sutton’ and had premises on King Street, Reading. John’s two sons joined the business in 1832 and in 1836 it was renamed ‘Sutton & Son’. In 1837 the company moved to the Market Place, Reading, and expanded into seeds and acquired nursery grounds in Queens Road, Reading. In 1840 they established a testing laboratory and in 1873 new buildings replaced those in Market Place. These included various offices, separate store rooms for different types of seeds and bulbs, recreation rooms, residences and a fire station. In 1962 Suttons moved to new grounds and premises on the eastern outskirts of Reading, before moving to Torquay, Devon, in 1976 and then Paington, Devon, in 1998.
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