[Sample page from Brandle & Smith Co. candy catalog]

As this eye-catching photograph illustrates, the history of photography and marketing are intertwined; both became a feature of daily life in the early 20th century. The Brandle & Smith Co. of Philadelphia manufactured an assortment of hard candies in a variety of shapes and flavors and utilized photography to market its wares. Salesmen peddled these bulk candies to local retailers across the country, carrying a catalogue listing the company’s full product line and featuring photographs as appealing and colorful as the candies. Each delectable sweet was carefully colored to tempt the eye. Brandle & Smith Co. specialized in candies with a distinctive satin finish, a characteristic conveyed by the bold colors and white highlights carefully painted onto the surface of the photo.