Mistral Cookie Tins
1990? Biscuiterie du Mistral cookie tin featuring an illustration of GA on its top and "Fables de La Fontaine" on its shorter sides. 10" x 9". $6 from Anna Benichou, Strasbourg, through Luz Pintos, Carolina, PR, on Ebay, March, '00.
Bright-colored illustration of the kitchen of the ant, complete with a full text of La Fontaine's fable. The presence of "Fables de la Fontaine" on the sides suggests that there may be a series of cookie tins based on various fables. The colors are excellent, and the price was right!
1990? Biscuiterie du Mistral cookie tin featuring an illustration of GGE on its top and "Fables de La Fontaine" on its shorter sides. 10" x 9". $7 from Anna Benichou, Strasbourg, through Luz Pintos, Carolina, PR, May, '01.
On the large cover here the large hen and her golden eggs predominate in the upper left, but we also see the dead hen and frustrated owner in the lower right corner. The image is again signed by H. Sainton or something similar. Now the big question is: How many of these La Fontaine cookie tins are there in the series?
1995? Biscuiterie du Mistral cookie tin featuring an illustration of WL on its top and "Fables de La Fontaine" on its shorter sides. 9" x 9½". $5 from Anna Benichou, Strasbourg, through Luz Pintos, Carolina, PR, Sept., '00.
On the large cover here the wolf points a menacing finger at the lamb in midstream. A butterfly in the upper right serves as counterpoint to this scene of coming carnage. The image is again signed by H. Sainton or something similar. The sticker on the bottom of this tin, which details the cookies' ingredients, also announces that its cookies are to be consumed before Oct.,' 96.
1995? Biscuiterie du Mistral cookie tin featuring an illustration of TH on its top and "Fables de La Fontaine" on its shorter sides. 9" x 9½". $24.99 from John and Louise Balistrieri, Skillman, NJ, through eBay, May, '08.
On the large cover here the hare is eating a carrot while the tortoise approaches the goal. A butterfly, a bird, and some cheering turtles are also near the goal. The image is again signed by H. Sainton or something similar. The illustrations on the sides are identical with those on the other Mistral cookie tins, one example of which is pictured above. How many of these tins are there in the series, I wonder?
1995? Biscuiterie du Mistral cookie tin featuring an illustration of MM on its top and "Fables de La Fontaine" on its shorter sides. 9" x 9½". Unknown source and date.
On the large cover here the comely milkmaid is either just hoisting her milk can, or perhaps is sensing it starting to fall. Her dreams are spelled out around the top and right rims of the can. The image is again signed by H. Sainton or something similar. The illustrations on the sides are identical with those on the other Mistral cookie tins, one example of which is pictured above. I continue to wonder how many cans are in the series.