Mrs. Schlorer's

Mrs. Schlorer's was the brand name for mayonnaise and numerous other food condiments originally manufactured by the Schlorer Delicatessen Company in Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise is credited as being the first mayonnaise put in jars and sold commercially in 1907. The first products trademarked by the Schlorer Delicatessen Company were Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise and Mrs. Schlorer's Olivenaise in 1917.[1]

History

In the early 1900s, Amelia Schlorer of Philadelphia, PA mastered the art of making her own mayonnaise. At that time, homemakers, often unsuccessfully, attempted to make mayonnaise following recipes from cookbooks inherited from Europe in the 18th century. Amelia would commonly use her homemade recipe in salads prepared for church functions and other community events. The positive feedback she received impressed Amelia and her husband Edward to inquire about offering her popular mayonnaise in jars in the food section of one of Philadelphia's department stores. In 1907, twelve jars were offered for sale in glass jelly jars with typewritten labels held on by rubber bands. All of the jars were sold in less than an hour marking the first commercial mayonnaise sold in America.[2]

After the initial success of the first day of sales, Amelia Schlorer immediately began production of her bottled mayonnaise in the family kitchen with the help of son Charles and daughter Anna. The only piece of equipment used was a little beating machine which the family had previously acquired from Europe. As demand rose, the store insisted that Mrs. Schlorer improve the packaging from less of a homemade appearance. Deciding to take a risk, Amelia went to a local glass factory where the minimum purchase was 5 gross or 720 jars. The main criteria that Amelia insisted upon was that a tablespoon easily fit into the jar opening for spooning of the mayonnaise. After six years of mixing, bottling, and labeling by hand for local grocery stores and door-to-door delivery, the Schlorers formed the Schlorer Delicatessen Company which was later known as Mrs. Schlorer's, Inc.[3]

Company Information

The Schlorer Delicatessen Company was formed in 1913 due the rising demand for Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise. A four story and basement factory was built at Water and Mifflin Streets in Philadelphia.[4] The company was owned and operated by Edward Schlorer until his death in 1928.[5] After Edwards death, the company was operated by Edward and Amelia's son Charles Schlorer as President and daughter Anna Schlorer Smith as Treasurer.

In 1955, Mrs. Schlorer's, Inc. was sold to William H. and E. Donald Burns owners of Atlantic Syrup Refining Corp. Mrs. Schlorer's production was moved from Philadelphia to Vineland, NJ at the same location of Venice Maid Company.[6][7]

In 1991, the label rights were acquired by Connelly Containers, Inc. in Bala Cynwyd, PA.[8]

In 1998, the label rights were acquired by Good Food, Inc. in Honey Brook, PA where some of the products are still made today.[9][10]

Advertising

In 1942, Mrs. Schlorer's, Inc. copyrighted an advertising jingle used in many radio and television commercials over the next several decades in the greater Philadelphia area. The song, written by Bertram May and Billy James, helped establish some familiarity with Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise as a staple when making a sandwich.[11]

The popular song lyrics went:

"I'm a sandwich man,
I'm a sandwich man,
I can make a sandwich better than anyone can.
It should smell fresh like a daisy
so I make it mayonnaisey
and the mayonnaise that I use is Mrs. Schlorer's.

I'm a sandwich man,
I'm a sandwich man,
I can make a sandwich better than anyone can.
I want to be a sandwich man for the rest of my days
as long as I can use Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise."[12]

List of Products

The following is a list of some of the products made under the Mrs. Schlorer's brand name over the last 100 years:

References

  1. ↑ "Official gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 239 (Google eBook)". Official gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 239, p. 323. United States. Patent Office.
  2. ↑ "Mother Mastered Mayonnaise". The Milwaukee Journal, p. 34. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  3. ↑ "WOMEN: Pay Cut; Throat Cut". Time. Jun 17, 1935.
  4. ↑ Iron age, Volume 111. Chilton Co.,. 1923. p. 195.
  5. ↑ "Camden People: Edward Schlorer". Edward Schlorer Obituary.
  6. ↑ Food packer, Volume 36. Vance Pub. Corp.,. 1955. p. 54.
  7. ↑ "Trademarkia". MRS. SCHLORER'S By: VENICE MAID COMPANY, INC.
  8. ↑ "Trademarkia". MRS. SCHLORER'S By: CONNELLY CONTAINERS, INC.
  9. ↑ "Trademarkia". MRS. SCHLORER'S By: Good Food, Inc.
  10. ↑ "Company Website". www.goldenbarrel.com/mrs-schlorer-mayonnaise.php.
  11. ↑ Catalog of copyright entries: Musical compositions, Part 3. Library of Congress, Copyright Office., 1942. 1942. p. 1627.
  12. ↑ "Mrs. Schlorer's Mayonnaise TV Commercial". Youtube.

External links

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