Refined Sugar Comes to Market – circa 1902

Sugar cane failed as a crop in the 17th century settlement of Jamestown, Virginia and Americans were largely dependent on the importation of cane sugar for the next two centuries.

Sugar was commonly available only as unrefined or “brown sugar” in many parts of the US.

This began to change at the end of the 19th century.

The defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898 delivered control of Cuban sugar plantations to US companies.

The annexation of Hawaii as a US territory in 1895 was engineered by that island’s sugar barons.

Thus, by the early 20th century, sugar was plentiful, cheaper, and increasingly, refined.

The use of refined sugar became a marker of social status and the product became known as “table sugar” to distinguish it from the brown sugar used in baking.

This postcard advertisement dates from the earliest years of the 20th century. Domino Sugar was incorporated in 1901, and I believe this advertisement was printed soon thereafter.

It was not mailed.