National Mark Eggs

[Unknown] National Mark Eggs, Empire buying begins at home: a booklet with recipes. The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries: London, 1930. 8vo (185x120mm) limp pict wraps, stapled [2 incl cover],1-13,[1 rear cover]pp. Near Fine/-

[UNKNOWN]

National Mark Eggs, Empire buying begins at home: a booklet with recipes.

London: The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, 1930. First Edition.  Printed by John Corah & Son, Loughborough. Marketing Leaflet 6G.

Octavo (185x120mm) limp pictorial wraps softcover stapled [2 cover & verso],1-13,[1 rear cover]. 

Very light toning to edges; slight creasing to wraps, else fine.

"In the early years of the 20th century, egg production was largely a sideline to other farming operations and there were few specialist egg producers. This meant that prices were subject to sharp fluctuations and there was strong competition from overseas. UK egg producers wanted to differentiate their product from that of other countries and encourage the public to buy British. 

In 1928, the Government and the Farmers Union set up a voluntary scheme to try to provide a quality guarantee for a range of home-produced goods, including eggs. The "National Mark Scheme" was the first organised attempt to provide the market with reliably-graded, high quality, home-produced eggs." ¹

The scheme was designed to dovetail with the activities of the Empire Marketing Board (established in 1926) which promoted to the British public the benefits of buying foodstuffs from the British Empire and its Dominions; Britain first of course.

The National Mark certified egg weight (in four grades) and the origin of the eggs; guaranteeing 'clean home-produced eggs of first quality'  The pamphlet contains more than 50 recipes for savouries, omelettes, sweets, invalid cookery and sauces.

A fine copy of a scarce piece of ephemera

§  Not listed in OCLC

¹ British Egg Council http://www.britisheggindustrycouncil.co.uk/about-us/history/