Vintage Grocery List
Nowadays, we write grocery lists in phone notes, special apps, or on a piece of paper. But what devices did people use 50 or even 100 years ago?
More Shopping Grocery Lists
Recently, the blog featured a post about a collection of grocery lists. It’s a large online archive with photos of handwritten grocery lists from the past 25 years. The author of this portal seems to be primarily focused on paper lists, but there are others as well. You can read more about these lists in the detailed descriptions provided in the mentioned article.
Our topic is non-paper today. A responsive Threads user, Rita, shared that post in her profile. She also mentioned that, to her, this grocery list from the 1940s looks like a style icon.
After seeing this image, I wanted to learn more about such lists. There won’t be much text today — let’s take a look at some photos.
Illustrations of Vintage Household Grocery Lists
I can’t say I was pleased with my internet search results. There are plenty of photos, but not many stories behind them. However, here’s what the annual publication “The Girls Own Annual” [1] writes about a device called the household wants indicator:
To Save the Housekeeper’s Head
One extremely handy item for the kitchen which will prove a real boon, is a “Household Wants Indicator.”
Messrs. Chas. Letts and Co., of Diary fame, are the makers, and they deserve the thanks of every busy housewife, for once one has used it, it seems incredible how one ever managed without it.
It consists of lists of the items likely to be used in a household, and against each is a tiny pointer. When an item is running low and needs replenishing in the store cupboard, the pointer is turned to the item on the Indicator. Then, when next a shopping list is being made out, all the housekeeper needs to do is to glance at the Indicator, and the little pointers will tell her what to order.
What a saving of such questions as, “How are we off for raisins?”, “Do we need bacon?”, or “What was it I said I mustn’t forget to order?”
The price of this useful Indicator is 3s. 6d.
This was a long time ago, the quoted annual book’s issue was published in 1926. And here is what the grocery list itself looks like.
By the way, this kind of list, as people say, appeared in the TV series “Downton Abbey”.
When certain items start running low, you turn their corresponding indicators toward their name. Then, before heading to the store, you review all the turned indicators and compile a shorter list from them, helping you remember what to buy.
At the very least, carrying such large boards to the store seems unlikely. Let’s continue our search and look for something smaller.
Compact Vintage Grocery Items List
Just take a look at this charming piece by the Austrian company Shopetta. Its elegant rounded shape fits in the palm of your hand and easily slips into a bag. The only concern I have is whether the markings on such a checklist might get accidentally “erased”. If something like this happened to a similar aviation checklist, it could be a disaster!
Elegant Grocery List by Shopetta [3]
A Response to My Concern
Just as I was worrying about markings getting erased, I came across another photo. This problem is solved by the fact that the portable grocery list can be closed. In some sense, it also provides additional security, or at least privacy. There was also a more interesting example of a similar list from the company Memolette, but unfortunately, the internet hasn’t preserved high-quality images of it.
And now, we can already see the emergence of categories for these kinds of lists! Each has its purpose and design.
More Thoughts on Retro Finds
During my search, I came across some items in French, a few in German. In our days, I have never seen these devices. Some of us might come up with a text file, but usually, we use notes or mobile applications.
Their rarity doesn’t mean you can’t find one. I noticed that people sell vintage grocery lists on Etsy. There are even more modern examples on Amazon.
Already thinking about heading to an antique store for a new find? Don’t forget to subscribe to the “So List” blog. There’s plenty more to admire here. And you can also learn how to solve many issues using lists and checklists.
List of Links to Look at or Even Buy
[1] The Girls Own Annual Edited by Flora Klickmann, Vol 47, 1926
[2] Image from the listing Antique 1920s Charles Letts Household Wants Indicator Rare Four Row Version Vintage Metal Tabbed Kitchen Shopping Indicator on Etsy
[3] Images from the listing Vintage 1950s/1960s 'shopetta' Shopping List Reminder, Housekeeping Grocery Shopping Disc, Made in Austria on Etsy
