What do the medals on Colmans packaging represent?
The medals featured on the mustard tins were awarded at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1878. The Victorians were very fond of organising exhibitions at which all major companies exhibited their products or inventions. In 1878 J&J Colman were awarded the only gold medals for mustard and starch, and so added them to the packaging to emphasise their superiority. The cross of the Legion of Honour was a personal award to Jeremiah Colman, also awarded at Paris in 1878 for his exceptional services to industry.
