Citrus Crate Stencil
Prior to the well-known and colorful paper citrus crate labels of the 1900s–1960s, the ends of wooden citrus crates were often stenciled with the name of the grower. The process involved placing the cut-out stencil on the wood and painting over it, thus leaving the negative lettering printed on the crate. In this case, the grower was M. A. Rice of Citra, Florida. The anchor brand was intended for further distribution or retail sale by F. Nickerson & Son of Chicago.
(Citrus crate stencil, ca. 1890, Collection of the Museum of Florida History)
