Is your office overflowing with leftover candy today? We’ve got candy in the Archives too - but it’s an archival record, not a treat:
In 1962 two candy companies in Chicago copied Brach’s distinct toffee labels, but not their sweets. Customers were confused and complained to Brach’s about an inferior product. E.J. Brach & Sons brought the matter to the courts. After examining the case including the products (pictured), the U.S. District Court in Chicago ordered Peanut Speciality and Close & Company, Incorporated to stop manufacturing their imitations. The candies used as exhibits in the case survived and are currently kept in a mylar sleeve with the case.
Located in RG 21, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, case 62C1069, “E.J. Brach & Sons, a corporation v. Peanut Specialty Company, a corporation and Close & Company, Incorporated, a corporation.”