Coffee fuels my preservation thoughts. I love coffee. And yet, hopefully I’m not the only one who did not know that coffee used to come in a can that required a key to open said can. Am I (aside from my youngest sister)? Hmm. What kind of self respecting coffee addict aficionado am I? I must study. When my mother sent me the image below, I wasn’t quite sure what she was talking about. Behold, the unopened coffee can with a key.
Drip Grind A&P Coffee.
The top of the coffee can. It
The bottom of the coffee can. That key comes with the can and it fits in the metal tab on the side.
The side of the coffee can. The key fits into the black spot. Once opened, you have a reusable lid.
Aside from the fun retro factor, my mom is wondering a few things about this coffee can.
(1) When did companies stop making such cans?
(2) How much would something like this be worth?
(3) Does anyone have any information about such cans?
(4) Do you think the coffee is still good?
Ha! Just kidding on that last one; Mom will keep this for fun in her kitchen. She remembers them in the 1950s and 1960s, but not after that. If you could help us out – if you happen to a true coffee aficionado, please fill us in. (These photos are from a cell phone, but if you’d like better quality images, let me know.)
We like to know the stories of our belongings. Who has a good theory as to why this was never opened?
Enjoy! And thanks!
Preservation in Pink 