Breaker Confections is a name that you might not know, although you’ll certainly recognize some of their more successful creations like Bottle Caps, Tart N Tinys and Everlasting Gobstoppers. The company name was retired when it became a part of the Willy Wonka Brands group in the early 1980’s. But long before they were developing classic Wonka treats, Breaker Confections were known for their own branded goodies. Today I’ll be showcasing a few of their 5-cent boxed offerings from the 1960’s that have not likely been seen in nearly half-a-century.
Due to my love of the Wonka brand, I’ve long had an interest in the product lines that preceded it. Wonka Brands was created mainly from three different companies; Breaker Confections, Concorde Confections, and Sunline. Each brought different products to the mix and in much the way I covered the pre-Wonka Concorde Confections’ Cristy and Cabaret bars, today I’ll be looking at a few from Breaker.
As a collector, I would come to appreciate Breaker Confections’ history through their later Wonka products, but I would not uncover any images of Breakers’ own branded packaging until I found the following trade ad from 1963, showcasing their 5-cent boxed lineup:
Breaker Confections – Super Value 5-cent candy window boxes – trade magazine ad – – February 1963
I’d never encountered any of those boxes before, or any packaging with that version of Breakers’ logo. So a few years ago when I met another collector who had a Breakers’ branded box in his own collection, I was blown away. It was smaller than the 5-cent size found in my trade ad, but was still amazing to see:
Breakers’ Fine Candies – Breaker Confections – H Bombs hot jawbreakers candy box – 1960’s
After seeing that Breakers’ H Bombs box, I suspected I might never find any others and that perhaps the 5-cent window boxes illustrated in that old trade ad had been lost to history, never to be seen again.
But just a few months ago I was thrilled to acquire a pair of the very boxes from that old advertisement, and they were in remarkable condition considering their age.
As I would learn, the boxes were found in the estate of an elementary school teacher from the Peru/Kokomo, Indiana area who had saved every prop she ever used in her classroom. These candy boxes had been put to work back in the 1960’s as part of one of her classroom lessons, and then were stored away to be discovered decades later.
Here they are:
Breaker Confectioners – Breaker’s Licorice Gems – candy box – 1964
Isn’t that a beauty? The black-and-white illustrations on the trade ad didn’t do these boxes justice. Here’s the other:
Breaker Confectioners – Breaker’s Jawbreakers – candy box – 1964
That Jawbreakers box is stunning and is my favorite of the two. I also feel that it has special historical significance.
When possible, I like to create lineages for candy brands and packaging, and this Jawbreakers box is one I consider an ancestor to the Everlasting Gobstopper Minis that Breaker would introduce just over a decade later – and one that is still sold today. That makes this box pretty special, I think.
So it was just the pair of Breakers’ 5-cent boxes that were found in that elementary teacher’s files. In much the same way that I once wondered if ANY of the boxes from that ad might ever be found, I now ponder the chances of ever tracking down the remaining four that the ad included? For now, my search continues.
And that’s everything I have on Breakers’ own line of branded confections. I hope you guys enjoyed the look at these candy boxes that probably haven’t been witnessed in nearly 50 years.
See you next time!
Really cool boxes! I love how the word “Breakers” looks on the side of the boxes –very 1960’s looking. The colors on the Licorice Gems and Jaw breakers boxes are fabulous! Thanks for presenting these boxes and the ads, they are truly gems.
Dave,
Yeah, that Breakers logo design is pretty fantastic. Gotta love it.
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I think their H Bombs were a hell of a lot more successful than their ill-fated
F Bombs candy. Tasty little Fu@#er$ though.
It is good to see someone take an interest in my father’s (Matt Breaker) old candy company. A little history: In the 1950’s it was in the same Chicago building they made Butterfingers, but moved to Elk Grove Village in the early 1960’s. I have the first giant size jawbreaker ever made (a little worse for wear after all these years). It took 30 days to make it. The standard size (then) jawbreaker (about the size of an extra large marble) took 7 days to make. My mother sold the business to Sunline in 1965 after my father died. In case you were wondering, he changed his last name to Breaker after he started making jawbreakers. That is why there is an apostrophe in “Breaker'”. I wish I had saved some of the boxes now that I see they are collector’s items.
I believe we went to the same grammar school, Park Ridge Military Academy. I graduated in 1962. I believe you were 2 years behind me. One summer I was at summer camp there and the Breaker’ Cadillac limousine pulled up. I was told that the driver was actually your father. A bunch of kids jumped in and off you went to go swimming at a pool. I remember someone told me that your father made jawbreaker candy. If you would like to touch base by email with me, just let Jason know. I’ll let him know that he can give you my email.
It would be good to reminisce about PRMA. Scott Oliver
Hi,
I just saw your reply – six years later. I would most definitely like to connect with any PRMA alum. Please contact me at my email address: marty14615 at gmail.
Hi,
I just saw your comment six years late. I would love to connect with any PRMA alum. Please contact me at marty14615 at gmail.
I am Debra Breaker. My uncles were Matt and John. My father, their little brother, was Richard. I have an original Breaker Confections candy box, 120 count, 1 cent each. It is red with yellow highlighting. I also have a set of playing cards that are decorated with illustrations of the Moon and Saturn housed in a red velvet case, gold embossed on the back with Breaker Confections. I will be happy to send you photos!
Please share my email with Matt Breaker, my cousin.
Please pass my email to Marty, not Uncle Matt… thank you.
Debra,
Just saw your reply. Would love to connect with you. Please contact me at marty14615 at gmail.
Hi,
I just saw your comment six years late. I would love to connect with any PRMA alum. Please contact me at marty14615 at gmail.