Images(2)

Novelty, Promotional

Object number2018.134.12

Date1990-1995

OriginChina

MediumPlastic

Credit LineIn memory of Toni Graupe

DescriptionFlexible plastic ant figure. Brown body with six elongated limbs (four arms and two legs). Legs have red shoes and each hand has a white glove. Ant wears a gray bottle cap hat with two brown bent antennae poking through front. Ant's cartoon face features brown eyebrows, black and white eyes, and a black sideways smile. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 4.438 x 3.688 x 0.625 in. (11.3 x 9.4 x 1.6 cm)
MarksReverse side of head has raised text at bottom center "5".

Reverse side of abdomen has raised text at bottom center "CHINA".
Historical NotesThis ant giveaway is from an early 1990s advertising series and the Great American Picnic Game where purchases of Heinz squeeze bottles could have a chance to win various prizes like a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Heinz ant, invented in 1988 with his bottle top cap and neat white gloves, encouraged people to use Heinz ketchup at their picnics. Part of a collection of Heinz giveaways and employee gifts belonging to Toni Graupe, who was a long-time employee of the company. Graupe was the daughter of German immigrants, and she grew up on Voskamp Street in Spring Garden before the family moved to 3681 Spring Garden Avenue where she lived the rest of her life with her sister, they had no children. Graupe retired from the Heinz Company in 1990 after working for the company for 47 years. Graupe worked in the insurance department. She was also a lifelong member of St. Aloysius Church in Troy Hill.

Previous owner Antoinette M. Graupe (died 2014)

Subjects