"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Not For All The Tea In...



Kansas?  I was going through boxes looking for stuff to sell and came across this basket.

Seems that the Green Tea that has been all the rage for the past few years was also popular at the turn of the century.  The label says extra fancy green tea, produced and packaged in Japan for the H. D. Lee Mercantile Co.

It holds about 8 ounces and has 35 cents written in pencil on it.  Can't believe the basket, grosgrain ribbon and label plus the tea for 35 cents which must have been a lot in its day.

All the way from Japan, up the mighty Mississippi River to Kansas.  Who knew?

35 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

And isn't it amazing that it could be picked, prepared, packed and shipped for that amount. Yes 35 cents was worth more then than now, but still... How many families depended on that work for their survival. Across several countries.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a neat find !
Yes, makes one wonder how they did it for so little money.
~Jo

Frances said...

Donna, what a story that basket could tell. It's appearance really appeals to me and I'd want to use it for a drawing or perhaps a watercolor painting in tea-quiet tones.
Even as I type this, I glance around and see quite a few vintage items that I could also treat as muses.
Perhaps your post has now inspired me to get out the sketchbook in tomorrow's clear light.
xo

donna baker said...

Frances, email me and send me your address. I would love for you to have it.

donna baker said...

Yes, Child, I think tea was expensive back then and had to be grown in just the right climate. Growing up in OK, we always drank iced tea and much later in life, I learned about the art of tea. I'm reading THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS (at least I think that's the name) and it is all about intercontinental trade way back when.

donna baker said...

I bought the kids some sale clothes at Wal Mart at the end of the winter season for next year. $2. and $3. each. I don't know how one could even buy the fabric for that.

jerilanders said...

Now that is something very desirable to a collector! I wish I could come over and shuffle through all your goods, you have really great stuff!

angryparsnip said...

What a beautiful basket. And what a story it could tell.
Your photo is so beautiful. The sun to one side, the light filtering through the basket to the table, the green chairs Just beautiful. I think your could make some note cards, a frame this or just paint it.

cheers, parsnip

cheers, parsnip

Doc said...

Donna that is great find, amazing that tea could be sold for such a pittance.

The Weaver of Grass said...

There must be so many little treasures hidden away like this - many never to be found.

A Wild Thing said...

I totally love this, I have a few tea boxes, I just love the artwork on them...I sure wish you were on Facebook girl, it has been a huge boon to our business, I have several pages, all with different themes. Right now I have connected with several artists in S. Africa, we talk every day and exchange art and ideas, it is the reason I have started painting again, so much inspiration!!! We are finally getting some warm weather and are loving it...we are burying my brothers ashes today, it'll be bittersweet, he passed almost a year ago, it'll be a beautiful day of remembrance and closure for my dad...and life moves on...take care!
sharon

donna baker said...

I've enjoyed it and it's time for someone else to enjoy it. My problem is I just have too many 'enjoyed things'.

donna baker said...

Can't wait to get back to painting. I was crawling around the garden yesterday planting and still not finished. Just too much to do. I need three assistants.

donna baker said...

I just loved the packaging. They don't make them like they used to.

donna baker said...

See my comment on your last post Pat, about the vintage Levi's. You and the farmer may have a new hobby after that.

donna baker said...

My condolences Sharon. I knew you were doing Facebook since you rarely post anymore. I love your paintings and that you have gotten so much out of Facebook. My problem was friends of friends of friends infinitum were in the mix and it was too much for me so I quit. Didn't get it. Like friends ask me what the purpose of blogging is? They don't get it either. Glad to hear from you and bet you are planning your garden.

Frances said...

Wow! Donna, you have made my day. xo

Frances said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
La Table De Nana said...

♥♥♥♥♥
LOVE this box..you have so many great things Donna..couldn't say anything re taxes in the US..I have no idea how it works for you..:(

donna baker said...

I like it too Monique. I guess taxes have been a vexation since Roman times. We pay so much quarterly and they keep going up. Frustrating to say the least when you are a law-abiding taxpayer and so many on the till.

Mary said...

It's an exquisite reminder of the earlier days of tea moving about the world in such beautiful handmade
containers. 'Extra Fancy' is a great description!

Re: our tax system - it stinks! Still several days before we will at last have 'paid' the abominable government for 2016 and can then actually call anything earned this year our own money!!!!

Mary x


Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Donna, you have so many wonderful things .... what else have you got hidden away ?!!!! XXXX

donna baker said...

That just takes the cake, doesn't it Mary.

donna baker said...

I am whittling the boxes down, but still have much Jacqueline. It seems the choke point right now is around $20.00. Mostly cheap stuff sells and I am not going to give away the more rare stuff. Of course that would mean keeping it which I don't want to do... feels like chasing my tail sometimes.

Karena said...

How amazing Donna, well, us Kansas Citians have always been ahead of our time! Thank you for so much encouragement and your visits!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Debbie Nolan said...

Wow Donna - this certainly looks like one of a kind. I am sure it isn't but have never seen such a box like this. Hope you have lots of success in selling this treasure for a great price. Take care and have a super day. Hugs!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I LOVE discovering artifacts from the past. It may sound trite, but it's true: you wonder who handled this, what was life like back then....and the PRICE! Nice discovery, Donna, and thank you so much for commenting on my post. Have a super day!

donna baker said...

Must have been the shopping mecca for the westward bound.

donna baker said...

I hadn't either Deb. Things were just packaged so much nicer back then. You too.

donna baker said...

I always love when you post Anita. So beautiful.

Down by the sea said...

That's amazing, as you say we think having green tea to drink over in Europe and America is relatively recent! It must have gone out of fashion! Sarah x

donna baker said...

I thought that was strange too Sarah. They've probably been drinking it the whole time and we were drinking the dark pekoe kind.

Bea said...

That is a really neat basket. The tea trade was/is vast and wide.

Bea said...

That is a really neat basket. The tea trade was/is vast and wide.

donna baker said...

I thought about The Boston Tea Party and all the other wars begun by commerce. Ghandi sent the British packing I believe, over the tax on salt, so the legions of followers went to harvest their own.