Branding, Packaging: Pack Board, c.1951

Country Prints pack board, c.1951.: Collection of Sara Leeper. Image: PKM
Country Prints pack board, c.1951.

Collection of Sara Leeper. Image: PKM

Name/Title

Branding, Packaging: Pack Board, c.1951

Description

A pack board for table linens with a one-color letterpress print in barn red ink on flecked off-white cardstock describing the Country Prints enterprise owned and operated by artist Robert Darr Wert, used by Country Prints c.1951-53. The flecked cardstock used for this pack board is similar to the flecked paper used for Country Prints letterhead and product labels of this period. A later version of this pack board with a printed border features a slightly reduced version of this print. Text describes the geographical location, ethos behind Country Prints, employment of and camaraderie with the neighbors he employed, and how and where the work was produced on his farm. Imagery is representative of signature Wert elements: a large squared heart at center, roosters, a weather vane, farm tools, cookery tools, a glass demijohn, metal ware, a manicured topiary/tree, scrolled linework, and a trailing vine. Designed and used as an integral part of Country Prints packaging, pack boards provided physical support to packaged sets of placemats, napkins and tablecloths, while informing customers of the ethos and care that went into their purchase.

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Robert Darr Wert

Role

Artist

Manufacturer

Country Prints

Date made

circa 1951

Time Period

20th Century

Place

Location

Gill MA.

Continent

North America

Inscription/Signature/Marks

“robert darr wert” in script with “w” in a squared heart.

Dimensions

Width

18-1/2 in

Depth

12-1/2 in

Material

Cardstock, Ink

Color

Barn Red