Nicholson & Sons Ltd Round Tin

Nicholson & Sons Ltd tin tray dating from the late 1950s. In the 1830s Robert Nicholson was brewing beer behind his grocer's shop in Maidenhead High Street. In 1840 his son, William Nicholson, established the Pineapple Steam Brewery near to Robert's shop. The Company was purchased by Charles Emery in 1897 who sold the business to the South Berkshire Brewery Co. Ltd in 1900. The Company was registered as Nicholson & Sons Ltd in 1903 with 150 tied houses. Nicholson's well known trademark featuring a man riding a camel accompanied by the words 'Best in the Long Run' was first used in 1920. The Company was acquired by H. & G.Simonds Ltd in 1958 which became part of Courage, Barclay & Co. Ltd after a merger in 1960. The Pineapple Brewery closed in 1961 and was demolished in 1962. The site is now the Nicholson Walk shopping centre. Many of Nicholson's public houses are still operating under the ownership of Mitchells & Butlers plc. Although there is no manufacturer's mark I am certain that the tray was produced by Hancock, Corfield & Waller Ltd. The tray featured is the original production file copy.