RARE-Confectionery Toffee Tin-Sharps of England

RARE FIND!!!! 1953-1961 Edward Sharp & Sons Ltd of Maidstone Kent (Made In England)
Confectionery is candy and other sweet foods such as cakes. So, a confectionery would be one who manufactures and sells confectioneries in the same location thus basically being a "Candy Store" . The fine print that says BY APPOINTMENT TO THE LATE KING GEORGE VI this also known as a Royal Warrant-
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued since the 15th century to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, thereby lending prestige to the brand and/or supplier. Now that that is understood lets move on to the timeline and history:)
After the start of WWII, on January 26, 1942 started to ration sweets and chocolates. This remained in England until after the war. De-rationing started in 1948 but was at a "snails pace". In September 1953, the Food Minister under pressure from the sugar manufacturers took upon himself to speed up the de-rationing of sugar and had it removed from the ration book by July 1954. NOW....confectioneries are resuming everywhere in England. The sugar lust and spending of the people, dramatically dramatically increased by about 100 million pounds. Biggest seller....English Toffee! Toffee making in the UK is a family trade passed down for generations (kind of like tamale making in Texas) and within the Sharp family it was the that tradition at it's finest.
Edward Sharp & Sons was the largest toffee manufacturer in the world and it all started in Maidstone! His wife began to make homemade toffee which he sold in his shop from 1878.
In 1898 Sharp established a toffee factory in a former roller skating ring on Sandling Road, Maidstone.
Sharp died in 1931 so his sons Herbert Edward Sharp and Wilfred James Sharp became joint-managing directors of the company.
In 1933 Edward Sharp & Sons was the largest toffee manufacturer in the world and by 1951 the business was producing 600 wrapped sweets a minute.
Employees could eat as many sweets as they could on the premises, but they were not allowed to take any home. haha
After the de-rationing of sugar, . To cope with increasing sales, 24 hour production was introduced and 350 men were employed just for the the night shift.
In 1961 chocolates became so popular that the Edward Sharp & Sons factory closed and was purchased by Trebor. The company then became known as Trebor Sharp.
But not before giving the world this tin....Rum and Butter Toffee.
Colors are nice showing the Caribbean Islands that inspire the rum as well as the The Great Seal Of The Realm marking the stamp of approval from the Royal Family.
Has some rustic patina but overall good condition. Dent on one corner (see photo)
Weighs 6 oz empty.
Measures 6.5" X 2.5" X 2.25
Removable lid-not hinged.
Stand not included that is in photo.

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