Here is a cover of singer Dave Mason’s New Crest on an Old Wave. It never occurred to me that the artwork was a part of pop culture before appearing on Mason’s album, but. . .
A few weeks ago in one of the many well known restaurant chains with various artifacts and relics of Americana adorning the walls, I look up and see this painting. However, it’s not touting Mason’s album, but a candy called “Chewy Fruit.” The wording said, “I’m ready to fight for my Chew Fruit chocolate.” Then there was something about “Allen Confections,” which could have been a local manufacturer.
Anyone familiar with these confectionary morsels?
I remember eating a candy as a young child called “chewy fruit” but it wasn’t chocolate flavored. They were little squares of wax paper wrapped soft taffy. (Not toffee, AFAIK, those are 2 different things.) They weren’t as soft as “laffy taffy” nor as hard as “Now 'n Later”, soft, but not fluffy. Very fruity, slightly tangy, and not too sweet. I did try searching for it, but I couldn’t find the candy I remembered. I don’t know if they had fruit flavored taffys mixed with chocolate flavoring or not. That was one of my favorite candies as a kid. I think also there were little sugared jelly fruit slices sold as “chewy fruit” as well. Those were softer than a gumdrop, but looked similar. Am I remembering correctly?
Ok, I am mistaken on toffee and taffy being different, it seems they are they same thing. A confection made by pulling a sugary mass to make it fluffy.
And of course I open another page that refutes the dictionary. In the interest of accuracy here are the links. Explanations of taffy and toffee.
dictionary definition
OK, I’m bumping my 20-year-old thread for an answer, so that I won’t forget it for future reference. I found this info on a site selling one of these antique pieces:
The cover art was from an artist named Adelaide Hiebel (1885-1965). I can’t determine whether this was done specifically for the candy company, but she did a different painting with a toddler wearing boxing gloves, albeit at his side, with the title “I Ain’t Bluffin!.”
And if anyone has any further info on “Allen Confections” feel free to contribute. Although I get the idea they made candy.
Can you post a new link to the album cover? The one from 2004 no longer works.
Also, which part of the US is/was this? Confectionary is probably very regional in its reach.
Wiki Hard to read, but Allen Confections was apparently in Louisville KY.
I was going to say that I’m very familiar with Allen candy, but it’s actually Allan Candy that I was thinking of. (Apparently Allan Candy was purchased by Hershey’s a decade ago.)
Very old post but Now 'n Later is a candy I haven’t seen in ages.
