The Piece

Vintage reproduction advertising tray for Bunkel Brothers Breakfast Cocoa.
Round metal serving tray with red rim, cream center, printed breakfast scene, and early grocery advertising-style typography.
Marked on the reverse: “Made in England / Exclusively for Case Manufacturing Co., Inc. / New York, N.Y. 10013 / Replica Harry’s Grocery.”

This round metal tray reproduces early-style grocery advertising for Bunkel Brothers Breakfast Cocoa, New York. The front features bold blue and red lettering with the phrase “In the Morning Drink Bunkel Brothers” above a breakfast table scene showing a cocoa package between two seated figures. Below the image, the tray reads “Breakfast Cocoa / New York / Nourishing, Digestive, Economical.”

The reverse confirms this is a later replica, not an original early-1900s advertising tray. It was made in England exclusively for Case Manufacturing Co. and marked Replica Harry’s Grocery. So, tragically, no lost general-store artifact here, just a very good-looking nostalgia tray with enough charm to survive the truth.

Product Details

Condition + Updates

Good vintage decorative condition with visible age and handling wear. The front graphic remains bold and readable, with surface scratches, scuffs, and light marks visible throughout. The red rim shows edge wear and rubbing. The reverse has scratches, scuffs, rub marks, and general surface wear from use or storage.

The backstamp is clear and readable, confirming the tray as a replica made in England for Case Manufacturing Co. No major bends or structural damage are visible in the provided photos. Best suited for decorative display or light serving use.

Historical Context

Replica grocery advertising trays became popular in the late 20th century as decorative kitchen, pantry, and country-store collectibles. These pieces recreated the look of early trade advertising, often using nostalgic food, beverage, tobacco, soap, or household product graphics.

This tray reproduces advertising for Bunkel Brothers Breakfast Cocoa, using the visual language of early grocery trade promotion: bold product name, domestic breakfast imagery, benefit-driven copy, and regional New York branding. The reverse marking clearly identifies it as part of the Harry’s Grocery replica line, placing it in the category of vintage-style advertising decor rather than original antique advertising.

Why This Belongs in Your Home

This tray works beautifully in a kitchen, pantry, breakfast nook, coffee bar, chocolate/cocoa station, farmhouse shelf, or vintage advertising wall. The cream center, red rim, and bold blue typography give it strong visual presence without needing to be enormous, loud, or emotionally exhausting.

It pairs well with antique tins, stoneware, copper, enamelware, coffee grinders, apothecary jars, and old grocery displays. Hung on a wall or styled flat on a counter, it brings in that old general-store feeling without pretending to be something it is not.