Historic biscuit tin collection could fetch £10,000 at auction

The 293-tin Lewis Collection, which was amassed over a 34-year period from 1980 to 2014, could fetch £10,000 when it goes under the hammer at McTear’s in Glasgow.    

The biscuit tins are being sold by Sharon Lewis, daughter of collector D.B. ‘Barrie’ Lewis, who spent a lifetime scouring antique shops across the country looking for rare and unusual containers.    

The tins on offer range from the late 19th century through to the mid 20th century and cover every shape imaginable, with aeroplanes, trains and tractors sitting alongside stagecoaches, books and even a violin case.  

Individual lots vary from a few pounds up to £800 for the rarest pieces.  

Biscuit tins come in all shapes and sizes (Image: Chris James/McTear's)

In 2001, Barrie bequeathed the collection to his daughter and, upon his death in 2022, she moved the tins from the Midlands to her home in East Lothian.

She said: “Dad was involved in the biscuit and cake business his entire life, but only started collecting tins after I bought him one for his birthday in the 1980s.  

“It became his passion and, when he moved house, he even created The Tin Room to house the collection.  

“He had lots of favourites, but he had a particular soft spot for the Ben George tin from 1868 - the oldest in his collection - and the 1920 golden aeroplane.

“We recently moved to a smaller house and unfortunately don’t have the space to display all the tins, and we don’t want to store them out of sight in the loft.  

“They were made to be viewed and I think it is only right that other biscuit tin collectors and enthusiasts have an opportunity to admire and enjoy them as much as my family has.” 

Emily McCafferty from McTear's with some of the collection that is going to auction (Image: Chris James/McTear's)

In the 19th century, a series of events seemed to work in tandem to bring about the dawn of the biscuit tin as we know it today.

In 1861, the Licensed Grocer’s Act meant that grocery items could be packaged and sold individually, biscuits included.

Later in the 1860s came the innovation of offset lithography, which allowed vibrant and ornate patterns and designs to be printed directly onto tinplate.

Brian Clements, McTear’s managing director, added: “This is a quite remarkable collection that tells a detailed story of the origin and history of the quintessentially British biscuit tin.  

“Barrie Lewis worked tirelessly to build his collection, which includes some of the finest tins to ever come to auction.  

“We are already seeing considerable interest and I have no doubt this will continue to build in the lead up to the auction.”