New Old Stock Crate & Can Labels: Tiny Pieces of Vintage Art with Big History
Bright colors, bold graphics, and old-school charm, our newest collection of New Old Stock crate and can labels brings the golden age of produce advertising back to life. These original vintage labels were never used and are perfect for framing, collecting, or adding a pop of retro style to your home.
Tiny Posters with Big History — Now at Middleton’s
If you love bold colors, retro typography, and old-school advertising art, you’re about to fall down a rabbit hole — the good kind.
We’ve recently added a large collection of New Old Stock crate labels and can labels to Middleton’s, and they’re some of the most charming pieces of paper ephemera we’ve ever unpacked.
These aren’t reproductions. They’re original vintage labels that were printed decades ago and never used — little time capsules from America’s golden age of food packing and produce shipping. And honestly? They’re basically tiny works of art.
What Are Crate & Can Labels?
Before cardboard boxes and barcode stickers, farmers and packing houses shipped fruit and vegetables in wooden crates and tin cans dressed up with colorful paper labels.
Their job was simple:
- Grab attention fast
- Look fresher and better than the crate next to them
- Make customers choose that brand
So companies went all out with bright graphics and bold designs:
- Hand-drawn oranges, peaches, and tomatoes
- Cowboys, mascots, and playful characters
- Vivid reds, blues, and yellows
- Fun brand names and eye-catching typography
They were basically mini billboards for produce.
A Little History
From the late 1800s through the 1950s, many labels were printed using chromolithography — a process that layered multiple plates to create incredibly rich color and detail. The results rivaled travel posters and fine art prints.
Large packing cooperatives and small regional farms alike used these labels to stand out in busy markets, and each company developed its own unique style and branding.
Once cardboard boxes replaced wooden crates and cans switched to direct printing, paper labels mostly disappeared — which makes the surviving originals extra special today.
Why Collectors Love Them
The Art
Bold, graphic, and colorful. Many look like tiny vintage posters and instantly brighten any space.
The Nostalgia
They feel like grandma’s pantry, old general stores, roadside farm stands, and 1940s grocery shelves.
Affordable History
Unlike many antiques, labels are:
- Easy to frame
- Easy to store or ship
- Easy to gift
- Budget-friendly
You can own authentic decades-old artwork for the price of a dinner out.
What Does “New Old Stock” Mean?
New Old Stock means these labels were printed many years ago but were never actually used.
- Original vintage printing
- Never glued to a crate or can
- Often bright, crisp, and clean
- Excellent condition for display or framing
You get the age and authenticity of vintage paper without heavy wear or damage — the best of both worlds.
How to Decorate With Them
- Frame a single label as a pop of color
- Create a themed gallery wall (citrus, tomatoes, apples, etc.)
- Add character to a farmhouse kitchen or coffee bar
- Rotate seasonally — peaches in summer, apples in fall
- Gift them to gardeners, cooks, or vintage lovers
They’re small pieces that make a big visual impact.
Come Browse the Collection at Middleton’s
We have stacks and stacks of New Old Stock crate and can labels to flip through — tomatoes, citrus, berries, apples, and more. Every label has its own personality, typography, and story.
If you love ephemera, advertising art, or just cool old things you didn’t know you needed, you’ll probably lose track of time browsing (fair warning).
Stop in and find your favorite!
Middleton’s Antiques & Uniques
Lincoln, Nebraska
Open during regular shop hours
Ask us about our newest label arrivals when you visit