Given the happenings involving the “Five Orange Pips”, I’m not sure “delighted” is the adjective Holmes would use upon encountering some oranges, but this fruit crate label certainly caught my attention.
From the information I could find, Ted W Holmes purchased the Blanton Packing Co warehouse in Pasco County, Florida, in 1956. He used it for two weeks every December to package gift fruit as a hobby until his death in 1989. In 2000, his son donated the entire packinghouse to the Pioneer Florida Museum Association for use as a citrus museum. The building and its contents were dismantled, moved, and reassembled for exhibit at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village. The Association plans to re-construct it as a working educational structure on their property. (It doesn’t look like the project has gotten very far. That’s a shame.)
While looking for information on the Holmes Fruit Co, I also found a nearly identical label for “Watson’s Dream” oranges. We’re always glad to see Watson get equal billing! Even if it’s still Holmes in the picture. I’d like to know more about the Holmes Fruit Co – I couldn’t find much out there. It looks like it only operated at Christmastime, and it’s not clear if the fruit was sold as a seasonal gift or perhaps given away. What do you think?