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The shape of the Tatamagouche butter print was derived from the original 2 pound 'Maritime Flat' which was the shape of two Tatamagouche 'prints' laid side by side. This was the size when butter was hand made, but with mechanization and the introduction of the printer, the shape changed to the one pound format. Some 25 prints a minute left the printer.

Parchment wrappings were used until the 1970's, when the now familiar foil wrapper was introduced. The 'extra salt' style butter was distinguished by having the text printed in blue, and the regular butter had red text. The style and design of the wrapper has changed over time.

A good reputation for Tatamagouche butter was quickly established and it had a wide distribution to retailers and wholesalers across the province of Nova Scotia. Butter was shipped in 56 pound wood boxes by train. If shipping to Prince Edward Island, larger and stronger 60 pound boxes were used. Later butter was distributed by truck in 30 pound cardboard containers.

The price of Tatamagouche butter in 1948 was 22 cents per lb. In 2009, Tatamagouche butter sells at $4.79

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Tatamagouche butter wrappers
20th century
The Tatamagouche Creamery, Creamery Road, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Canada


Credits:
North Shore Archives