Summary
Packet for Small's Club Chocolate for Men, made by H. Small & Company Pty Ltd. It was found under the floorboards of the Exhibition Building Gallery, Great Hall, when they were replaced in 1989.
Small's Club Chocolate for Men was advertised in Australian newspapers from at least 1935. Illustrated advertising from 1946, using the same graphic as SH 960787, indicate it could have been eaten during World War II, when the RAAF and WAAAF personnel were based at the Exhibition Building. A January 1946 advertisement, depicting man and woman in bathing costumes, warns it is made 'especially for men. It's NOT so sweet... But the girls took one taste. Loved it. Now the men have to share it with the girls.' The packet graphic was still being used by Small's in 1952.
From 1940 to 1946 the Exhibition Building in Melbourne (later the Royal Exhibition Building) was occupied by the Royal Australian Air Force as a training school. About 500 to 700 RAAF and WAAAF personnel lived there or attended the site for varying periods of time.
Physical Description
Square, black and white cardboard packet. Front shows a sketch of a man sitting in an armchair, reading a newspaper and eating chocolate. Blue cellophane wrapper inside.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Home & Community, Public Life & Institutions, Royal Exhibition Building
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from Trustees of the Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Sep 1991
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Manufacturer
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Inscriptions
Text: Small's/CLUB/CHOCOLATE/for MEN/NOT SO SWEET. Sides: Small's CLUB CHOCOLATE Reverse: Men want a sustaining Chocolate - not/too - sweet - Club Chocolate is specially/made for men by H. Small & Co. PtyLtd/- Recommended by Dieticians./ Full 1/4lb Block/SMALL'S MAKE GREAT CHOCOLATE.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
10.8 cm (Length), 1 cm (Width), 9 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
23 mm (Length), 118 mm (Width), 110 mm (Height)
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Dimensions
118 mm (Length), 23 mm (Width), 110 mm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation.
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References
1952 'Advertising', The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), 28 September, p. 37. , viewed 12 Aug 2020, [Link 1] 1946 'Advertising', The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), 26 January, p. 18. , viewed 12 Aug 2020, [Link 2] 1935 'Display Advertising', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 21 June, p. 2. , viewed 12 Aug 2020, [Link 3]
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Keywords
Confectionery, Food & Drink Consumption, Packaging, Military Forces, World War II, 1939-1945
