H84.26.1

Salt and pepper shakers. Description: ceramic fish-shaped salt and pepper shakers; a: aqua glaze with two holes at noes; b: yellow glaze with three holes at nose; both embossed on the bottom "Chicken Sea" (easier to read on the yellow one); holes for corks, but no corks in place. Dimensions: a and b: 3 1/8" x 2" x 1 1/4" Condition: excellent History: see file; one shaker had been acquired from the White Elephant Sale several years ago. References/Remarks: Used as promotional material for Chiccken of the Sea tuna. See file. From the History Information Station: Object: Fish-shaped casseroles and salt and pepper shakers. History: These Tuna Casseroles and shakers were available through the mail by sending in labels from Chicken of the Sea tuna. Casserole cookery became popular in the 1940s, as many women quit full-time homemaking and took jobs in factories or hospitals, replacing men who had become soldiers. Not only was tuna casserole easy to prepare in advance, it used handy canned foods and few rationed ingredients. The recipe on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup called for one can of soup, 1/3 cup of milk, one can of tuna, two hard-boiled eggs, one cup cooked or canned peas: mix it all together, stick it in a colorful fish casserole, top with crumbled crackers or potato chips, and bake. A perfect, pretty, fast food. Museum Purchase

Used: Chicken of the Sea tuna