Calumet Baking Powder 1 lb Antique Tin Chicago Native American Chief Advertising Can

This antique Calumet Baking Powder 1 lb tin from Chicago features the original red and orange paper label, Native American chief illustration, and embossed metal lid. It likely dates to the early 1900s through the 1920s.

The original paper label retains strong color and readable advertising, with noticeable wear, staining, paper loss, and darkening around the metal rims. The removable lid is present, and the interior shows age-related discoloration and surface oxidation.

Calumet Baking Powder Company began in Chicago in 1889 and became known for its colorful advertising tins. Its early packaging featured a Native American chief emblem and the slogan "Not Made By A Trust," a reminder of the era when manufacturers promoted their independence from large corporate trusts.

Details

• Item: Antique Calumet Baking Powder tin
• Item Type: Advertising tin and kitchen canister
• Era: Likely early 1900s through the 1920s
• Material: Metal tin with original printed paper label
• Color: Red, orange, yellow, black, and dark gray metal
• Maker: Calumet Baking Powder Company, Chicago, U.S.A.
• Markings: CALUMET, BAKING POWDER, CONTENTS 1 LB, MADE IN U.S.A., and NOT MADE BY A TRUST
• Lid: Removable embossed metal lid marked CALUMET, BAKING POWDER, 1 LB, and ABSOLUTELY PURE
• Design: Native American chief illustration inside a shield-shaped emblem
• Style: Early American grocery advertising
• Dimensions: Approximately 5.5 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter
• Capacity: Originally held 1 lb of baking powder
• Special Features: Original colorful paper advertising label, embossed metal lid, historical advertising slogans, and Chicago manufacturer identification

Original Advertising Details

The front features large CALUMET lettering above the words BAKING POWDER. A Native American chief illustration appears inside a shield, with MADE IN U.S.A. printed below.

The upper band carries the slogan NOT MADE BY A TRUST. Another section of the label promotes the product's baking qualities and displays a highest award emblem.

The side panels contain original advertising about the ingredients, purity, and baking performance of Calumet Baking Powder.

The removable lid has raised lettering identifying Calumet Baking Powder and its original one pound capacity.

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

• Graded Good: An original antique advertising tin with strong remaining label color, readable lettering, and its embossed metal lid.
• The red and orange paper label retains much of its original bold coloring.
• The large Calumet lettering remains clearly visible.
• The Native American chief illustration is recognizable, with facial features and feathered headdress details still visible.
• The NOT MADE BY A TRUST slogan remains readable around the upper portion.
• The original Chicago manufacturer information remains visible.
• The embossed metal lid is present, with its lettering still readable.
• The cylindrical metal body retains its shape.
• The original side advertising remains largely readable despite age-related discoloration.

Issues / Wear

• The paper label shows noticeable age-related staining, fading, and discoloration.
• Areas of paper loss and small tears are visible around the upper label and along the metal bands.
• The label has wrinkles, scratches, rubbed areas, and dark spots.
• The upper and lower metal rims show darkening, oxidation, and surface wear.
• The embossed lid has scratches, discoloration, and a dark aged finish.
• The interior has widespread dark discoloration and surface oxidation, with darker marks along the inner walls.
• Wear is visible along the vertical label seam.
• The original container is empty.

If you collect antique advertising tins, early grocery packaging, or Calumet kitchen memorabilia, this one has the bold original colors, embossed lid, and early advertising slogans that make these old containers interesting to display. It would look right at home on a kitchen shelf beside old cookbooks and other vintage tins.

If it's the one you've been looking for, it's ready to come home.