“In fact, if you could buy all your food energy as cheaply as you can sugar, your food bill for the year would be very low. At the present cost of sugar, you could live on about $30 for a whole year! The high dietary value of sugar is universally recognized by scientists and physicians.” – Text, verso. This lively Depression-era advertising piece showcases the extensive operations of the Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Sugar Company. A central map and accompanying text provide a very basic overview of the production process, from growing the sugar cane to packing and distributing the finished product. Cuba and Puerto Rico are showcased as productive sugar-growing islands (no mention of the hideous slave trade upon which the industry was built), and a view of the impressive factory can be seen near the bottom. The verso of the sheet has a similar pictorial map showing the global extent of sugar-growing nations (India, Java, Hawaii, Philippines, etc.). There are also several recipes, including an odd ‘milk sherbert.’ Published around 1935 by the Pennsylvania Sugar Company (date estimated). The uncommon promotional piece was issued in at least two very similar editions, with variations based on advertising used for Quaker Sugar and the accompanying text. This is presumed to be the latter (and scarcer) example. Alternate Example: Cornell University
