Leaf Brands, Inc., collection of visual materials, 1948, ca. 1955-1975

  • Collection ID 2003.0043; 2014.0078
  • Creator Names Leaf Brands (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Title Leaf Brands, Inc., collection of visual materials [graphic].
  • Dates 1948, ca. 1955-1975
  • Physical description
    • ca. 90 photographic prints : b&w. ; 8 x 10 in. and smaller.
    • ca. 50 photographic prints : col. ; 8 x 10 in.
    • ca. 30 photomechanical prints : col. ; 23 x 18 in. and smaller.
    • 22 photomechanical printed cards : col. ; 2.25 x 3 in.
  • Access and usage restrictions Advance appointment required to view color materials in cold storage.
  • Collection summary Product sales binders (3) containing photographs and other visual materials related to marketing and manufacture of candies, chewing gum, and novelty toys by Leaf Brand, Inc., in the United States and Japan; also original artwork and uncut boards of the company's trademarked "Spooky Stickers" and children's trading cards in the "Good Guys and Bad Guys" series, the "Mr. Fonny's Funnies" series, and the 1948 professional athletes series depicting boxers and football players. Cartoon-like graphics designed by Fredi Leaf, wife of company founder Marshall Leaf, were used in advertising and product packaging. The Leaf Brands factory was located at 1155 North Cicero (corner of Division Street) in Chicago (Ill.).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Leaf Brands candy photographs (2002.0008), the Leaf Brands visual materials about Playboy Bunny Chocolates (2001.0254), and Leaf Brands ledgers and promotional materials.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Leaf Brands, Inc., founded in Chicago in 1921; expanded after 1945 to reach international markets by opening factories in Japan, Belgium, and Canada; merged with W.R. Grace & Company in 1967, which was later subsumed by Hershey. Leaf Brands, Inc., manufactured candy at its factory on the corner of Cicero Avenue and Division Street (1155 North Cicero Avenue) in Chicago (Ill.) and sold it nation-wide.
  • Acquisition information
    • Gift of Marshall and Fredi Leaf (2003.0043).
    • Gift of Fredi Leaf (2014.0078).
  • Names
    • Leaf Brands (Chicago, Ill.)
    • 1155 North Cicero Avenue (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Leaf, Fredi, artist.
    • Leaf, Marshall, former owner.
  • Subjects
    • Chewing gum industry Illinois Chicago.
    • Toys. lctgm
    • Candy industry Illinois Chicago.
  • Geographic coverage Chicago (Ill.) Commerce.
  • Genre
    • Cartoons. gmgpc
    • Photographic prints Color. gmgpc
    • Cards. gmgpc
    • Stickers. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
    • Photomechanical prints. gmgpc
    • Advertisements. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.