When a tightly rolled stack of torn papers came through the doors of the Conservation laboratory with the tantalising notes ‘Biscuit & Brockhoff Man’ and ‘The perfect supper cracker’, our appetite was whet. The item, an enormous billboard for Brockhoff’s popular biscuit the Crispette, had been requested by a local researcher. Unfortunately, its unwieldy size and poor condition prevented Library staff from granting access prior to conservation treatment.

As our paper conservators prepared to get to work, we learned a thing or two about Melbourne’s own Brockhoff Biscuits and the delicious Crispette supper cracker.

A. Brockhoff, ca. 1888; H28190/198
A. Brockhoff, ca. 1888; H28190/198

Brockhoff Biscuits was founded in 1880 when German immigrant Adolph Frederick Brockhoff (1841-1923) purchased the biscuit manufacturing firm of Smith & Sons, West Melbourne, and renamed it A. F. Brockhoff & Co. In the early years, Brockhoff variously produced self-raising flour, jam, preserves, and vinegar – reflecting the interests of his changing business partners – but came to focus on biscuit manufacture after taking sole ownership in the 1890s. By the time Adolph passed away in 1923, business was prospering under the direction of his eldest son Frederick (1868-1961), with around 100 different biscuit varieties in the Brockhoff line.1

1934 'Advertising', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 - 1954), 21 May, p. 4
1934 ‘Advertising,’ The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 – 1954), 21 May, p. 4
1940 'Advertising', Shepparton Advertiser (Vic.: 1914 - 1953), 6 December, p. 2
1940 ‘Advertising,’ Shepparton Advertiser (Vic.: 1914 – 1953), 6 December, p. 2

In 1934 the Crispette started to appear in print advertising as ‘The Perfect Supper Biscuit‘. Crispettes were lauded as a versatile cracker suitable for any sweet or savoury topping, but perhaps most impressively as a quick makeshift pastry topping for fruit or meat pies. While actively advertised up until 1941, by 1942 Crispettes were temporarily discontinued due to wartime shortages, and – despite assurances to the contrary throughout 1943, 1944 and 1945 – in 1946 messaging shifted from ‘Crispettes — they’ll be back’ to ‘Things could be worse…‘, before the Crispette seems to have disappeared from shelves entirely.

1942 'A Special Announcement by Brockhoff!', Gippsland Times (Vic.: 1861 - 1954), 12 February, p. 1
1942 ‘A Special Announcement by Brockhoff!,’ Gippsland Times (Vic.: 1861 – 1954), 12 February, p. 1
1944 'Advertising', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.: 1869 - 1954), 2 February, p. 12
1944 ‘Advertising,’ Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.: 1869 – 1954), 2 February, p. 12
1946 'Advertising', The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 - 1954), 29 May, p. 12
1946 ‘Advertising,’ The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 – 1954), 29 May, p. 12

Despite this sad loss, by the end of World War II ‘Brockhoff’ was described as the third biggest and third oldest of Melbourne’s biscuit manufacturers and the Brockhoffs – now, Frederick and his three sons Harold (1902-1966), Alan (1904-1989) and Jack (1908-1984) – took a commercial leap of faith. In 1950 they purchased a market garden block and orchard in East Burwood, erecting a large state-of-the-art biscuit plant and relocating production from the 90-year-old West Melbourne site during 1953-1955.2

Subsequently known as ‘Brockhoff Biscuits Pty Ltd’, the company was a household name and produced many popular favourites. The Salada dry biscuit was a particularly successful Brockhoff innovation in post-war Victoria. With an alkaline rather than acid base, it offered a plainer product than was previously available.3 While the recipe slip in Brockhoff’s Catalogue of bonus presents and cookery book shares a handy Savoy cracker biscuit pie crust. It seems the Crispette was officially usurped as the most versatile cracker!

Some may remember ‘The Brockhoff Baker’ from this time – brainchild of Harold Brockhoff (Adolph’s first grandson) and Carden Advertising – emblazoned on the blue Brockhoff delivery vans and even gracing Australian televisions from 1956!4 Amongst other ephemera (including nutrition tables, price lists and even Chocolate Royal wrappers), State Library Victoria holds a score for the jingle, Here comes the Brockhoff baker!

Here comes the Brockhoff baker : a cheery little song for young and old, ca. 1950-65, Brockhoff’s Biscuits issuing body; RARELTP 780.263 B7829H

After prospering as a family business for over 80 years across three generations, Brockhoff merged with Arnotts in 1963 (as the Australian Biscuit Company) as a defense against the invading American biscuit giant, Nabisco.5 It was during this period that the Crispette seemed to make a brief comeback: reintroduced in 1961 as a ‘new puff pastry cracker‘, and again in 1968 as ‘Instant puff pastry‘ – appearing quickly thereafter in supermarket sale ads, in both instances.

1961 'Advertising', The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), 30 August, p. 44
1961 ‘Advertising,’ The Australian Women’s Weekly (1933 – 1982), 30 August, p. 44
1961 'Advertising', The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1995), 16 November, p. 20
1961 ‘Advertising,’ The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 – 1995), 16 November, p. 20

While initially the companies continued operation independently, by the late 1970s the Brockhoff name was phased out.6 However, Brockhoff Biscuits are not forgotten! Among their many enduring products are Saladas, Savoys, Chocolate Royals, Cheesy Cheds, Teddy Bears, and Shapes. An impressive lineage, indeed!

Read on to discover how our paper conservators stabilised an enormous billboard for Brockhoff’s Crispette supper cracker in Part 2: Conservation treatment.

More from this series

  1. Murray, R, 2006, Biscuits & beyond: Jack Brockhoff and his Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Doncaster East, Victoria (SLT 361.76320994 B78M), pp. 15-17, 21
  2. Murray, R, 2006, Biscuits & beyond: Jack Brockhoff and his Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Doncaster East, Victoria (SLT 361.76320994 B78M), pp. 23, 28
  3. Murray, R, 2006, Biscuits & beyond: Jack Brockhoff and his Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Doncaster East, Victoria (SLT 361.76320994 B78M), p. 29
  4. As above
  5. Murray, R, 2006, Biscuits & beyond: Jack Brockhoff and his Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Doncaster East, Victoria (SLT 361.76320994 B78M), p. 36, 34
  6. Murray, R, 2006, Biscuits & beyond: Jack Brockhoff and his Foundation, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Doncaster East, Victoria (SLT 361.76320994 B78M), p. 37-38

This article has 6 comments

  1. so nostalgic! thank you-I’m an albury girl, living in Seatttle since I married a Boeing engineer, who I met in Toronto, who was from Egypt…

  2. Brilliant thank you – dear old Harold would be pleased to know we were enjoying his advertising campaigns
    Now how about doing one on Hickory if you havnt don’t that already
    I would love to see the history of Hickory please
    Thank you so much
    Melissa Ogilvie

  3. Great read! Interesting to learn the history and start of some of our most well known biscuits.

  4. This article on Conservation labs work to preserve our heritage and a well known favourite company name & signage from our past was great story for me to enjoy.
    Having been a former retoucher when lots of that conservation work was not done digitally and was part of my role l just felt back in the job.

  5. Very interesting, I was unaware that the Vic. State Library held early printed advertising material, and apparently are extremely active in it’s preservation. I have a smaller, much earlier, Melbourne printed colour poster (in four sheets) , which has never been pasted. Can you provide a contact in your organisation for me to discuss its future with?

    • Albertine Hamilton

      Hi John. Thank you for your kind comment. You might be interested in this great video about the Library’s advertising collections. As for your colour poster, we have a range of conservation guides to assist in the care of personal collections. If you would like to get in touch about making an acquisition or donation, please contact our fabulous Ask a Librarian service or you can make a collection offer via the collection offer form. Information on what we collect is here on our website.

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