The Candy Wrapper Museum

Sometimes things just go your way. And so they did in the CWM's serendipitous acquisiton of this wrapper and box, both of which seem to be very rare ephemera.

People have written to me, asking whether Abba-Zaba ever featured racially biased graphics. I had never heard of this. Then, shortly thereafter, I was contatcted by Air Force veteran, Chuck Trigger (thank you, Chuck!), who had the wrapper and was wondering about its authenticity. I was able to purchase it from Chuck, and then about a month later, the box appeared on ebay. Any doubt about the authenticity of the wrapper could now be confirmed by the box.

Also, one can trace it back through history on the Internet. Annabelle, the current manufacturer of Abba-Zaba, inherited it through the acquisition of the Cardinet Candy Company. Cardinet apparently acquired Abba-Zaba from the long defunct Colby & McDermott, who copyrighted the bar in 1922. This version of the wrapper probably ended when Cardinet acquired the company. This is all I know about its history, but it certainly explains the rather strange name of the candy, and I don't think it taints the reputation of this delicious candy in any way. But for all of you who have speculated upon this rumor... the mystery is now solved! Courtesy of the Candy Wrapper Museum.

Click box and wrapper to see larger views

Click here to see the entire box


	Home Golden Oldies Abba-Zaba Annabelle's Assorted Great Stuff Classic Candy History - The Five Cent War Clark Duds Ferrara Pan Flicks Classic Gum Good and Plenty Heide Hoffman's Hollywood Just Born Mason M&M's Mr. Goodbar Nabisco Nestle's Crunch Necco Pez Seven Up Bar Raisinettes Tootsie Whitman's	Sometimes things just go your way. And so they did in the CWM's serendipitous acquisiton of this wrapper and box, both of which seem to be very rare ephemera. People have written to me, asking whether Abba-Zaba ever featured racially biased graphics. I had never heard of this. Then, shortly thereafter, I was contatcted by Air Force veteran, Chuck Trigger (thank you, Chuck!), who had the wrapper and was wondering about its authenticity. I was able to purchase it from Chuck, and then about a month later, the box appeared on ebay. Any doubt about the authenticity of the wrapper could now be confirmed by the box. Also, one can trace it back through history on the Internet. Annabelle, the current manufacturer of Abba-Zaba, inherited it through the acquisition of the Cardinet Candy Company. Cardinet apparently acquired Abba-Zaba from the long defunct Colby & McDermott, who copyrighted the bar in 1922. This version of the wrapper probably ended when Cardinet acquired the company. This is all I know about its history, but it certainly explains the rather strange name of the candy, and I don't think it taints the reputation of this delicious candy in any way. But for all of you who have speculated upon this rumor... the mystery is now solved! Courtesy of the Candy Wrapper Museum. Click box and wrapper to see larger views Click here to see the entire box