THE
KING OF CRACKERS 
THE REAL HISTORY OF |
Tom Smith's catalogue cover from 1903,
1906 / 1907 |
About the book. |
If you’ve
ever wondered about the origins of the Christmas Cracker then
this book is one not to miss. THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF A VERY ENGLISH TRADITION - ALL YOU COULD WISH TO KNOW. From the worlds leading expert on the
history of the Christmas Cracker, author Peter Kimpton brings
you his fascinating, in depth history of Tom Smith the man,
his accepted invention and the Christmas Cracker industry
since the 1840’s - in theUK, Europe and North
America - featuring hundreds of as yet unpublished facts
and many illustrations. |
After many years research,
I am at last able to offer a comprehensive history of the man and
his accepted invention,
covering the development and spread of the Christmas Cracker both
here in the UK and around the world as far as it is known.
Apart from the basic history of Tom Smith, from when he first set up in business on his own in the 1840’s, my book, amongst other things, covers his wonderful box graphics, his company’s competitors, mergers, takeovers, wartime factory destruction both in London and Norwich together with personal reminiscences of skilled and knowledgable people who have worked within the Cracker industry over many years. Did
you know that the great English artist A.J. Munnings actually
designed Cracker boxes in his youth?
Have
you ever heard of “The
Castle of the Cracker King.” What contents go into the Royal
Crackers? Read about the Crackers produced for Prince Charles and
Princess Diana’s wedding. What do know about Snaps and Scraps
or "Animates" Crackers-created in conjunction with the
famous Wade Pottery, producers of the renowned "Whimsies".
How about love Mottoes and Corny Jokes? Could some of the Tom Smith’s
box designs be classed as racist? Who were Eliza Collingham, Matilda
Brown and G. Sparagapane? Did Tom Smith really invent the Cracker
at all? If you are in any way interested in the great English tradition
of the Christmas Cracker, then this book will tell you all you
need to know. |
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