The caramel-coated popcorn treat Cracker Jacksr was first introduced in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition. Little did the 21 million people who got their first taste at the Fair know that the snack would soon sweep the nation. Beginning in 1912, a toy `surprise'was sealed inside each box of Cracker Jack. These toys soon became an important part of childhood for generations of sweet-teeth to come. This new book shows many of these toys, in almost tow hundred full-color group photographs. Since 1912, more than 16 billion toys have been distributed-including a pair of baseball card sets worth over a hundred thousand dollars, miniature toys, booklets made of paper or cardboard, handpainted wooden or porcelain trinkets, jumping frogs made of tin, even a complete model trainanything could be found inside that next box of Cracker Jack! Also included in this book are a general history of the Reuckheim company that produced Cracker Jack, a price guide, and a discussion of the many changing trends in Cracker Jack toy history.
Reader Reviews
I recently acquired a small Cracker Jack prize collection from the 50's-60's. I ordered this book for two purposes: that it would enable me to identify those pieces that were not specifically stamped Cracker Jack or NOSCO (the toy manufacturer) and that it contained a price guide. The book is sadly lacking. Many of the photographs are redundant ... full page photographic layouts of the same prize(s). I was hoping for a book that was chronological and illustrated or described every known C.J. prize. I thought the price guide was neither current or accurate. I probably should have returned the book.
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