This gorgeous antique printer’s block features the classic Jack Sprat bust framed by the name Jack Sprat, and above the text: Food Store. It is an electrotype copper face mounted on hardwood block. We actually have three of these on our website. Two of them are copper faced, the other is white metal faced. The block shown above measure 2 9/16” x 2 9/16” and is “type-high”. Jack Sprat Food Stores were one of the original Grocery store chains in the USA. There is little information on the significance of Jack Sprat as an advertising character or why he was chosen as a brand name. They were very popular in the 1930 – 40s but history on them seems to be lacking? A classic Jack Sprat Food Stores ad was worded as follows from the Madison Lake Times, June 16, 1938.


At Jack Sprat Food Stores you are certain to find just the thing you are looking for at most reasonable prices. On our shelves this week we are offering our customary Friday and Saturday Specials. If you are looking for meats, groceries, fruits, or vegetables, be sure to stop here and look over the displays in our food stores.


Jack Sprat originated as a nursery rhyme in England somewhere around the 17th century. It became well known when it was made it into “Mother Goose’s Melody” around 1765. The poem is said to have history that relates back to King Charles I (1600-1649) and Henrietta Maria, his Queen (1609-1669). It is said that when King Charles (Jack Sprat) declared war on Spain, parliament refused to finance him, leaving him lean! So his wife imposed an illegal war tax to get some fat, after the angered King (Jack Sprat) dissolved Parliament.


Complete Jack Sprat Nursery Rhyme:


Jack Sprat could eat no fat.
His wife could eat no lean.
And so between them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean.


Jack ate all the lean,
Joan ate all the fat.
The bone they picked it clean,
Then gave it to the cat


Jack Sprat was wheeling,
His wife by the ditch.
The barrow turned over,
And in she did pitch.


Says Jack, "She'll be drowned!"
But Joan did reply,
"I don't think I shall,
For the ditch is quite dry.".