Summary

A bottle of Heinz Pure Evaporated Horse Radish. Manufactured by H. J. Heinz Co. Pty Ltd, and labelled Melbourne, Australia. One of an assortment of unctions the donor found in various relatives' cupboards. Water was added to make a hot (spicy) paste to accompany food.

Heinz Pure Evaporated Horse Radish was advertised in newspapers in Wagga Wagga, NSW, for two years: 1915 and 1916. It was sold as a delicacy for use during Lent, as an accompaniment for fish, available for purchase from The State Stores Ltd in Wagga Wagga and Humula. In May 1917 The Critic (Adelaide) reported that 'The enterprise of an American firm is being demonstrated daily at 43 King William Street, where representatives of the Heinz manufacturers of every description of condiment, sauces, and pickles are giving a practical illustration of these table delicacies. An imposing array of their many varieties, 57 in all, are on view...' The number 57 is important to dating the bottle, as it boasts the same number of varieties.

Heinz was established in Pittsburgh, USA, in 1869; by 1906 their products were sold in the Australian market. In 1935 Heinz opened a factory in Melbourne; the Heinz company identifies horseradish as its first product, although it is not clear if that product was in dried form.

Physical Description

Clear glass bottle. The body of the bottle has eight facets and is covered with original paper labelling; two labels on the front, one on the back, and one around the neck of the bottle. Main label on the front is irregularly shaped and white with blue and red text, above this is a rectangular label which is blue with white text. Label on the back of the bottle iswhite wih blue text. The mouth of the bottle has a wide lip and is stoppered with a cork. Bottle contains a white powder.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Clothing & Textiles, Home & Community

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Mrs. Hilary Newton, Before 1998

  • Date Purchased

    circa 1917

  • Inscriptions

    Label on neck: GUARANTEED PURE, FREE FROM ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES OR COLOUR / H. J. HEINZ Co. PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Upper label, front: FIRST MIX / WITH WATER Main label, front: HEINZ / EST'D 1869 / PURE / EVAPORATED / HORSE / RADISH / 1 3/4 OZ. NET. WT. / HEINZ / 57 / VARIETIES / PURE FOOD PRODUCTS / H. J. HEINZ Co. PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

  • Classification

    Domestic life, Food & drink, Condiments

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Object Measurements

    4.1 cm (Length), 3.5 cm (Width), 14.2 cm (Height)

  • References

    [Unknown]. (1917, February 8). The Daily News [N], BC, Canada. doi:[Link 1] accessed 17/2/2020. Heinz Australian food history timeline [Link 2] accessed 17/2/2020. 1917 'Interview.', Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), 16 May, p. 14. , viewed 17 Feb 2020, [Link 3]