Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Waterloo Region Museum |
Object ID |
2017.003.005 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Smiles 'n Chuckles letterhead |
Description |
Typed letter on Smiles 'n Chuckles letterhead. Along the upper edge of the letter is a yellow, orange, and black graphic of a chocolate box. Printed to the right of the graphic is "Smiles 'n Chuckles Limited/Formerly/Hamblin-Metcalfe Limited,/Makers of the Famous Smiles 'n Chuckles Quality Chocolates". Along the lower edge is another graphic - a white, yellow, and red chocolate bar. Printed along the lower edge is "Sole Canadian Distributors of Smiles 'n Chuckles Freshmaster./Air-Conditioned Showcases for the Modern Merchandising of Chocolates.". The letter is written to Bob Hamblin from his father, Gordon, on the occassion of his 21st birthday. |
Date |
1948 |
History |
Smiles 'n Chuckles candies/chocolates were made in Berlin/Kitchener beginning in 1916. The company was originally called the Metcalfe Candy Company, and it was founded by George R. Metcalfe (1865-1936). The company was located at 164 Weber Street East. George was a son of William Metcalfe (1823-1895) and Isabella Roy (1824-1903) who owned Wm. Metcalfe and Company, a grocery store at 43 King Street West in Berlin. William Henry Hamblin (1871-1953) began working for the candy company around 1918. By the early 1920s, William is listed as the president of the company. The company name was changed to Hamblin-Metcalfe Limited around 1927. William's son, Gordon Hamblin (1896-1979), joined the company in the late 1920s. He later becomes president of the company, followed by his son, Robert "Bob" Hamblin (1927-2010). The company was renamed Smiles 'n Chuckles around 1947, after their popular brand of chocolates. Smiles 'n Chuckles was purchased by Laura Secord in 1972 and production ceased in Kitchener. The factory at Cameron and Weber Street East in Kitchener was demolished in 1976. |
Search Terms |
Smiles 'n Chuckles Limited Hamblin-Metcalfe Limited |
People |
Hamblin, Gordon Hamblin, Robert "Bob" |