HARVESTING HISTORY: Museum Acquires Over 1,400 Produce Crate Labels from Texas Donor

In 2023, the museum acquired over 62 donations of artifacts and archival materials, including a 1,400-plus crate label collection.

This notable collection was donated by Carol Pease from McAllen, Texas. It comprises more than 1,400 produce crate labels previously owned and collected by her late husband, Edwin B. Pease. His passion for collecting produce labels throughout his lifetime was inspired by his career in produce in the late 20th century. Produce labels were once used to identify produce and as advertisements for packing companies as their goods traveled by rail from the Rio Grande Valley.

After the 1930s, the printmaking industry was booming with high demand for lithographers to create eye-catching crate labels depicting colorful fruit and vegetables, fictional characters and beautiful landscapes. During this time, the art of printmaking with lithography allowed artists to create highly detailed designs to be mass-produced for growers to promote their businesses.

An invaluable piece of history now preserved at the Museum of South Texas History speaks to a time when the Rio Grande Valley was flourishing through agriculture.