I have never been able to restrict my tin collecting to one subject matter but I do have a soft spot for Asian themed tins. I obtained this one a couple of weeks ago and it cleaned up nicely. It is a large tin. Almost 12 inches wide and over the years has acquired a wonderful mellow patina while still retaining good strong colours. I am guessing it was a biscuit tin because of it's size and the fact that there was never an inner sealing lid. I am guessing it dates between 1895 and 1900 but welcome any input that would tell me otherwise.

I just discovered that you can only insert three photos into each post so here is the view of the small side of the tin which repeats itself on both sides.

Hey Vlad,
the tin is featured in the 1908 & 1909 hudson scott tin manufactures catalogue. doesn't appear in the 1903 & 1905 catalogue's ( I am missing a few years) It was a stock tin, the popular tins were rarely featured in tin maker catalogue, as the retail companies had exclusives on them. I have seen it marked with saffron,tea & jujubes of all things.
rusty

Hey rustytins

Why do I get the feeling that you don't actually have any rusty tins? Anyhow, thanks for the information. Hudson Scott made some great tins. Good to know it was a stock tin but I am trying to imagine how much saffron it would take to fill a tin of this size? It measures just short of a foot wide. As for jujubes. More to my liking and price range.

Vlad

Hey Vlad,
I do actually own two rusty tins. I will show them one day. They are both fine examples of early tin design, but in poor condition. I only keep them because I have never seen any other examples.
Getting back to the tin above. The catalogue shows several different sizes & the smaller tins, are shown with singular images on the lid, with oriental design around the sides. I recently picked up a variation, with the side image on your tin, the focal image on the lid. I'll send you a pic.