Although there are multitudes things that are called the same thing in both England and the United States, types of candy are not one of them, as VU‘s Linda found out with her “eclair” tin in this week’s fresh to market vintage. We’re intrigued by some of the British candy names. Treats in a British Quality Street candy tin might include fig fancy, gooseberry creme, peanut cracknell, Montelimar nougat, apricot fancy and toffee penny. Other British candies popular in the 1950s, the same era as the “eclairs” tin, include barley sugars, pear drops, rhubarb & cremes, aniseed balls, wine gums  and humbugs. And we must not forget Turkish delights, the very real candy that is pivotal in Narnia. This is the kind of research that is not as much fun done by internet as it would be if done by taste test.

It’s always interesting when you come across packaging like tins for something you’ve never heard of. It makes your find a bit exciting and exotic and adds to your vintage knowledge in a way that makes you look for opportunities to drop it casually in conversation.

So spend some time dreaming of gooseberry cremes…and enjoy this week’s fresh to market vintage.

Vintage “George W. Horner Eclairs” tin (c 1950s)

This vintage George W. Horner tin made me revisit my definition of the word “eclair.” I tend to think of the pastry which originated in France and obviously wouldn’t have been sold in a tin container. A bit of research led me to the fact that Horner was the owner of a British confectionary (similar to Cadburys) that created a variety of toffee-type candies, also known as “eclairs” which would have been appropriately packaged in a little tin like this one. And just in case you are now hankering for something sweet, here’s a list of 11 easy ways to get your eclair fix (the french pastry type) from All Recipes plus a foolproof recipe for toffee from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.

Vintage Eclair Candy Tin, $15

Linda, Selective Salvage

Antique Netherlands Ice Skates

This is my first Christmas in July entry for this year. Can you imagine wearing these to skate on the lake if you don’t have a river or canal? You can use these as decor with a strip of antique sleigh bells on leather and enhanced with glittered branches and a beautiful bow. I don’t like winter as much as I once did and this summer is boiling, achingly hot! Here’s a tip for you. Look and buy winter/Christmas decor now when people would rather go to the beach!

Wood and Steel Ice Skates, $49.99

Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic

Four Strand Bead Necklace

Post WWII as Japan was rebuilding, one of the many items produced for export was costume jewelry, especially in the form of beaded necklaces and earrings. The beads were often plastic and came in bright colors. The styles varied from multi layers to shorter Princess length necklaces that sat at the neckline, often with matching clip on earrings. There are loads of these still around and they are just as fun to wear now as they were then. Relatively cheap and lightweight, they add a bit of fun to any wardrobe. This four strand necklace in shades of green with touches of gold would look right at home with simple t shirt and shorts for summer.

Green Four Strand Necklace, $29.95

Pam, Vintage Renude

1950s Christmas Handkerchiefs

I’m copying off Mary Ellen’s paper and showcasing this Christmas in July lot of vintage hankies. Fancy hankies were not for your nose, they were a fashion accessory for most of the 20th century. One clutched hankies or tucked them visibly into pockets and pocketbooks. Now they make awesome small gifts and party favors.

6 Vintage Christmas Handkerchiefs, $24

Laurie, NextStage Vintage

With the talk of candy eclairs and the delicious to look at necklace, it is only to be expected that our thoughts leapt to the crunchy, stylish wearable you can eat, candy necklaces. There is nothing better than a trip to the penny candy store that ends with you wearing and snacking on those hard candy beads.

We can’t share a candy necklace with you, but we can share a subscription to our weekly email newsletter that has links to all the posts from the previous week. Rest assured we would sooner eat a whole box of the dreaded Jujubes (blech) than share your info.