What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
You think you have covered about everything you can find of the rare national biscuit company. However, as all of you know, we have not scratched the surface yet. This issue is no exception. the piece that i am talking about has almost faded into a distant memory. Let me try and rekindle each of your memories, because we had not thought about this piece being in existence, How many are still in the old bakeries? Could there be some others waiting to be found? Do you know where one is still located? If you do, let us know. we would love the information. Now, a little information about what the National Biscuit Company called the “Suggestion box.”
The year was 1946, the war had just ended and the national biscuit company was cementing their place in history by having the absolute best products made, the best advertising this nation had ever seen. the most modern bakeries in existence, with some working 24 hours a day trying to keep up with the demand. Nabisco people were the absolute best in the country, dedicated, hard workers, and proud to be a part of the Nabisco family. However, something was missing. although N.b.c. had all the above, they knew their employees could suggest ways to “make it better.” improvements in packaging, work habits, and ways to save money. So, the national biscuit decided to tap these amazing employees’ knowledge and expertise. Thus, the “national biscuit company think and suggest campaign” was born.
What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
on November 29, 1946, the think and suggest campaign was founded, but not implemented. No, the national biscuit company needed a few more months to work out the details and they did just that. They needed a way for all employees to send in their suggestions and ideas, safe from other employees to see, so the employees knew their suggestions would be seen only by the n.b.c. people who chose the winners.
In January 1947, the “think and suggest” campaign was officially launched by Nabisco coast to coast for every Nabisco employee to use. Every bakery, branch. and location Nabisco had was made aware of this neat new idea. This was a way for all employees to send in their ideas about their company on how to “make it better.” Forms were made available, pencils furnished, posters and brochures sent out, and envelopes made available,–All for one purpose, to “think & suggest.” Winners, who were chosen by Nabisco management, would receive checks for their ideas if they were chosen. Every single suggestion was treated like the “only one.” each was given hands on reviews, “every single one.”
At first, the minimum award was $7.50 and the maximum was $2500.00. this was not bad for 1947, a year before nabisco’s golden anniversary. This award amount was not changed until 1956 when the award amounts changed from a minimum of $10.00 to a maximum of$3000.00. finally in 1964, it changed again to 15% of tangible savings, with a maximum award of $5000.00.
What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
By the 25th anniversary of the “think & suggest” campaign, in 1972, 169,221 suggestions had been made, 27,740 suggestions had been adopted, and $588,490.00 had been awarded. Wow, what a company. did they love their employees? yes they did, but we all knew that.
Now, for the reason for all of the above. Where were all of these suggestions and ideas placed? not all were mailed, although many were mailed In. a lot of Nabisco locations had a suggestion box, complete with envelopes and forms to “think and suggest” and place in the slot for security, only to be opened by management with a key. all had a padlock attached. Charlie worked for almost 31 years with Nabisco. neither of us ever saw or knew about these beautiful boxes, and if not for Jeanneand dan lewter’s visit, we would have not known about this beauty. Now we do and each of you do. shown here is a picture of this wall hanging suggestion box. It is So mysterious because of what was put inside, it is shaped like a ballot box.
We know of two of these in existence, although a few may still be attached in the old locations, no longer used, but part of nabisco’s collecting history. If anyone knows where one is still located, please email me and let us know prissyannb@aol.com
See you in the winter for more “What’s rare”
Enjoy your chase, prissy.
What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
You think you have covered about everything you can find of the rare national biscuit company. However, as all of you know, we have not scratched the surface yet. This issue is no exception. the piece that i am talking about has almost faded into a distant memory. Let me try and rekindle each of your memories, because we had not thought about this piece being in existence, How many are still in the old bakeries? Could there be some others waiting to be found? Do you know where one is still located? If you do, let us know. we would love the information. Now, a little information about what the National Biscuit Company called the “Suggestion box.”
The year was 1946, the war had just ended and the national biscuit company was cementing their place in history by having the absolute best products made, the best advertising this nation had ever seen. the most modern bakeries in existence, with some working 24 hours a day trying to keep up with the demand. Nabisco people were the absolute best in the country, dedicated, hard workers, and proud to be a part of the Nabisco family. However, something was missing. although N.b.c. had all the above, they knew their employees could suggest ways to “make it better.” improvements in packaging, work habits, and ways to save money. So, the national biscuit decided to tap these amazing employees’ knowledge and expertise. Thus, the “national biscuit company think and suggest campaign” was born.
What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
on November 29, 1946, the think and suggest campaign was founded, but not implemented. No, the national biscuit company needed a few more months to work out the details and they did just that. They needed a way for all employees to send in their suggestions and ideas, safe from other employees to see, so the employees knew their suggestions would be seen only by the n.b.c. people who chose the winners.
In January 1947, the “think and suggest” campaign was officially launched by Nabisco coast to coast for every Nabisco employee to use. Every bakery, branch. and location Nabisco had was made aware of this neat new idea. This was a way for all employees to send in their ideas about their company on how to “make it better.” Forms were made available, pencils furnished, posters and brochures sent out, and envelopes made available,–All for one purpose, to “think & suggest.” Winners, who were chosen by Nabisco management, would receive checks for their ideas if they were chosen. Every single suggestion was treated like the “only one.” each was given hands on reviews, “every single one.”
At first, the minimum award was $7.50 and the maximum was $2500.00. this was not bad for 1947, a year before nabisco’s golden anniversary. This award amount was not changed until 1956 when the award amounts changed from a minimum of $10.00 to a maximum of$3000.00. finally in 1964, it changed again to 15% of tangible savings, with a maximum award of $5000.00.
What’s rare, fall colophon 2015
By prissy brown
By the 25th anniversary of the “think & suggest” campaign, in 1972, 169,221 suggestions had been made, 27,740 suggestions had been adopted, and $588,490.00 had been awarded. Wow, what a company. did they love their employees? yes they did, but we all knew that.
Now, for the reason for all of the above. Where were all of these suggestions and ideas placed? not all were mailed, although many were mailed In. a lot of Nabisco locations had a suggestion box, complete with envelopes and forms to “think and suggest” and place in the slot for security, only to be opened by management with a key. all had a padlock attached. Charlie worked for almost 31 years with Nabisco. neither of us ever saw or knew about these beautiful boxes, and if not for Jeanneand dan lewter’s visit, we would have not known about this beauty. Now we do and each of you do. shown here is a picture of this wall hanging suggestion box. It is So mysterious because of what was put inside, it is shaped like a ballot box.
We know of two of these in existence, although a few may still be attached in the old locations, no longer used, but part of nabisco’s collecting history. If anyone knows where one is still located, please email me and let us know prissyannb@aol.com
See you in the winter for more “What’s rare”
Enjoy your chase, prissy.
“Collectors corner, fall 2015”
Growing Up A Nabisco kid and my dad’s collection, saving his memories
By Patrick Murphy
Hello to all club members, my name is Patrick Murphy. My Dad was a salesman for 30 + years and never once spoke badly about the company. As children, we thought the company was wonderful.
My parents were divorced and there were 5 of us kids. Dad always brought a big box of cookies & crackers when he came to see us. Along with stories about his company car being the fastest on the road. My mom would get the chance to purchase dad’s cars when he got a new one, which was a big help to my mom with all of us kids.
On my summer vacation, Dad would take me on his route, and the thing I remember the most is the general stores of rural NH. It was like an episode of the sitcom “Cheers”. My dad would walk through the door and the clerk would shout out, “Murf”!
Later on it was the chain stores where he had the same respect, but he had to work harder for it. The First National (Finest) is where my dad got me my first job. I spent more time facing shelves in his department than any other. It always looked so colorful, and made me hungry for the products we enjoyed getting when we were younger. Other Salesmen would ask me why dad’s department was so big, but I couldn’t tell them what he really said.
The parents of a high school friend of mine were antique collectors & sellers. They are the ones who got me started in going to flea markets. When I saw and bought my first Q cover I was hooked. It just made sense to me to save the name that was so good to us when we were younger. Every piece of history I get is special, but nothing like the items my dad left me when he passed. Murf, the cookie pusher, will live on through me and my collection.
Patrick Murphy
P.S. I worked for Nabisco a little over a year, but the grocery industry had changed too much for my memories. Patrick
Hi, I started collecting around 1991-92. the items I got from my Dad were mostly gifts given to him by the company or won by great sales. I found the clown by Moms alert eye. she was a avon/fuller brush Sales Woman and spotted the clown at one of her customers. The woman had no attachment to it and let it go for $50. Hearing your stories about other clowns I feel bad for not offering more. it would be nice to find the blocks some day to complete him. (FYI I have quite a few avon award figurines to list on ebay some day.) these are most of my trolley signs and all of my famous tins, thanks for getting excited about my collection, it means a lot
Patrick
Patrick Murphy Collection “COLLECTORS CORNER” Fall 2015
Patrick’s Toys. Left-Right: National Biscuit Company Double Bottom Truck and Trailer pull toy. National Biscuit Company Horse(Bobs Up & Down) and Wagon pull toy, both Rich Toys and circa 1930’s. Center handmade wooden N.B.C. pickup truck with cardboard packages, won on Ebay. Front Left: Ritz and Graham Cracker plastic friction truck. Right: Keywind lithographed Lindstrom Truck and Trailer (1930) with the Biscuit Boy on the sides and opening rear door. Impressive toy collection.
Patrick, Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection with each of us. Your Dad trained you right, I know that he is proud of you, saving his history and so are we. Enjoy the chase, Prissy and Charlie.
Patrick Murphy Collection “COLLECTORS CORNER” Fall 2015
Patrick’s Treasures. Top Left:Displayed on National Biscuit Company wire rack. Top: Cracker Department metal sign RARE embossed gold/red. Circa 1920’s NBC Uneeda.
Top Shelf: Brass “Q”-Whole Wheat Wafers tin-Uneeda Bakers (circa 1930’s)-Appeaters tin-Uneeda Bakers (circa 1940)-two metal and cardboard “Q”s (circa 1940’s) Uneeda Bakers.
Middle Shelf: Kennedy Biscuit paper label tin (circa 1900)-Saltina Biscuit Tin (circa 1930’s)-Mother Goose “Q” paper label RARE (circa 1930’s).
Third Shelf: National Biscuit Company gold color tin box (circa 1920’s)-Premium Soda Crackers tin (circa 1920’s).
Rack Right: National Biscuit Company Potato Chips wire rack RARE.
Top Shelf: Bacon Thins/Wheat Thins cardboard boxes (circa 1950’s) Salty Twist Pretzels (circa 1920’s).
Middle Shelf: Spiced Wafers Fall (circa 1940’s)-Premium Saltines (circa 1980’s)-Zwieback (circa 1950’s)-ZuZu RARE (circa 1920’s) and Nabisco Sugar Wafers (circa 1920’s).
Bottom: Snow Flake Sodas (circa 1940’s)-Graham Crackers (circa 1940’s-50’s)-Left: American Beauty Ginger Snaps cardboard barrel paper label RARE (circa 1920’s)-Assortment Boxes- American Beauty (circa 1930’s) and Nabisco Assortment (beautiful) (circa 1950’s)-Sky Flake Wafers (circa 1950’s)- Shredded Wheat (circa 1980’s).
Patrick Murphy Collection “COLLECTORS CORNER” Fall 2015
Right: Francis Murphy, my Dad’s high school picture. Francis was known as “The Cookie Pusher” when he worked for Nabisco. Above Left: THE MYSTERIOUS and PESKY LOOKING NBC CLOWN. The “Crown Jewel” of my collection, a National Biscuit Company Clown (Silk Suit marked Nabisco) Stand/up with light/up eerie eyes, Held Blocks(missing) which read Nabisco Cookies. Traveled around the country in a wooden shipping crate “THE COFFIN” Circa 1940’s RARE, one of four known to exist. ALSO,
NBC BREAD hang down blackboard (circa 1930’s). The 3R’s for School Day Appetites .Rich In Nourishment/Right In Flavor/Reliable For Freshness. Don’t Forget UNEEDA BISCUIT. Blackboard with the Slicker Boy (circa 1920’s). Royal Sprays store countertop cardboard “Q” holder (surround) RARE (circa 1940’s) and National Biscuit Company Oysterettes Oyster Cracker window sign “Put them in Oyster Stew Chowder & Soups” (circa 1920’s).
ALL of these beautiful pieces of the country store history of the National Biscuit Company are getting more difficult to find. They are getting more expensive, so collecting is expensive. BUT, the good news is, every once in awhile you find a jewel and get it cheap. That helps offset the higher priced pieces you find.
IN THE WINTER COLOPHON, “The Weather Outside Is Frightful, But For National Biscuit Company, The Snow Is So Delightful, Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let It Snow!!!!” ROOTED IN THE COUNTRY STORE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY ARE THESE TWO AMAZING COMPANYS: ITEN BISCUIT COMPANY AND THE CREAM OF WHEAT COMPANY!!
Inner-Seal Collector's Club 