Descriptions

First made by Frank Smith and his wife in the early 1920s, salted crisps were marketed to pubs as they encouraged customers to drink more. Smith’s were the first to add salt to the bag, usually in a twist of blue paper.

Even though production was mechanised, Smith’s crisps were still sold in a greaseproof paper bag by 1953, when this Coronation edition was produced, announcing the product as ‘a Crowning Success’.

The crisps sold for 3d a packet, about 40p today.


This object is on display at RAMM in Gallery 22.

Inscription

Front printed Smith’s logo surrounded by Union Jacks and flags of England and Scotland surmounted by stylised crown printed in solid red, text above and beneath logo A CROWNING SUCCESS SMITH’S POTATO CRISPS WITH SALT 3D [Threepence]
INGREDIENTS POTATOES AND EDIBLE VEGETABLE OIL,
NET WEIGHT-14 DRAMS J.D.

Back printed As above, different text LONG LIVE THE QUEEN CORONATION 1953
SMITH’S POTATO CRISPS LTD.
HEAD OFFICE BRENTFORD MIDDLESEX