These World War 2 Allied airplane photos were first released in
1941 and distributed for a few years by the St. Lawrence Starch
Company. At least 55 photos were available with possibly one more
remaining unconfirmed (Mosquito?). These planes were flown by the R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) and R.C.A.F.
(Royal Canadian Air Force).
The ads read, "Here is your opportunity to get pictures of some
of the planes that the heroes of the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. are daily
flying to victory - fighters, bombers, dive bombers, flying boats,
etc.". A
photo was free with one 5 lb. (or two 2 lb.) Bee Hive Syrup
labels or two labels from any of the Company Starch Products.
The plane photos were "rich in
detail" and mounted mainly on orange mats. When the promotion
first began, the first 12 photos were issued on red mats only. On the back of the photo was
printed a short description of the plane. Soon, 30 more photos were added
making for 42 photos and they were now issued on orange mats only.
There was a short description
of the plane printed on the front of the orange mat at the bottom-centre.
There was also a more detailed description of the plane now printed on
the mat and hidden beneath the photo. Finally, 10 planes
were added now giving 52 official photos. There were also some photos
mounted on yellow mats. They have identical descriptions as the
orange mat but also have a "Compliments of St. Lawrence
Starch Company Limited" phrase added prior to the text. These
yellow mat photos were only available to salespersons of
the Company. The
planes had no ill effect on the production of hockey photos. The
catalogue value of one of these photos today is approximately $20.
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