Object number
76/9/1&2
Creator
Description
Various milk cartons of different sizes and printed designs manufactured by by various companies. These came to the museum from Marks & Spencer, Baker Street, London.
Physical description
4 cartons (3 milk, 1 cream): wax coated cardDesign of carton and packing firm's details as follows: 1) One pint capacity. Unused milk carton. Red, blue and green print on white background. Printed in Scotland. 18 x 14.5 cm [length x width at sealed edge of carton]. Milk packed by Lee Strand Co-op Creamery, Co. Kerry, Ireland. 2) Half-pint capacity. Used milk carton. Red, green and blue print on white background. 14.5 x 12 cm [length x width at sealed edge]. Printed in Ireland. Packed by Premier Dairies Ltd., Dublin, Ireland. 3) One pint capacity. Unused milk carton. Blue, red and black print on white background. 17 x 14.5 cm [length x width at sealed edge]. Printed in Scotland. Packed by Castle Lyons Co-op Ltd. 4) Small, unused cream carton. Blue and turquoise print on white background. 6.5 x 5 cm [length x width at sealed edge]. Printed in Sweden. Packed by Cadbury's.
Label Text
Milk cartons. These cartons, manufactured by Tetra Pak, are part of a set of various sizes and uses. They are made from wax coated card. Drinking milk from card-based cartons has long been a staple of school lunches in the UK. They are cheap, convenient, hygienic and ensure each child receives the same quantity of milk. Furthermore, they do not carry the same health and safety concerns of glass bottles. Between 1945 and 1968, all schoolchildren were entitled to a free third of a pint of milk per day. Milk was infamously withdrawn for over 7s in 1971, earning Margaret Thatcher the title 'milk snatcher' amongst many commentators.
Archival history
manufactured by Tetra Pak Ltd., MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – ‘Cartons // Registered trade mark Coronet- 1 pint ½ pint // Manufactured – Bowater Packing Team Valley Gateshead // Marks & Spencers // Description: 1- 1 pint Pasteurised Homogenised milk, printed in red on a white background. 2+3. ⅓ pint Pasteurised Homogenised milk for Schools. One has a metal clip. Printed in red on a white background. 4. ½pint Pasteurised Homogenised Milk. Has a metal clip for closing. Printed in blue on a white background. All are cylindrical and are wider at the neck. Than at the base. Use: For packing milk for the retail trade.’
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External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_11103.tif - High resolution image
