Thomas Andrews & Co.
Andrews Family Yeast Powder

By Richard Leisenring, Jr.
Thomas Andrews started out around 1849 as a broker of various chemical products such as Bi-
carb and Sal soda as well as Cream of Tartar. In late 1851 Andrews formed the Thomas Andrews
& Co. in New York City and began offering Andrews Family Yeast Powder in 8-to-10-ounce
cans in April of 1852 followed by Saleratus in one-pound papers.
Taking on a partner, George F. Gantz in 1856, the firm founded the Jersey City [New Jersey]
Chemical Works to expand their product line and the New York City facility became known as
the “Excelsior Steam Mills”. At this time the company was producing Family brand Yeast
Powder, Excelsior brand Saleratus, Newcastle brand [Jersey City products] Bi-Carbonate of
Soda, Soda Ash, Potash and Soap Powder. By 1862-63 the Family brand name had been phased
out in favor of the Excelsior brand name.
Many of these products were offered in any container that suited the buyer such as 4, 6 or 8
ounce and 1 pound can sizes, paper packages, boxes, kegs and barrels. They also offered to insert
the name of the retailer on the labels and boxes at no extra charge.
It is unclear at this time when the company was sold, changed its name or went out of business
but it no longer appears in advertisements or the business directories for 1866 – 67 and
afterwards. The Excelsior Yeast Powder brand name appears in late 1866 as Davidson’s
Excelsior Yeast Powder.
The Yeast label seen in this display was registered in 1852 and printed in color on a thin white
newsprint type paper. The can is a reproduction of one in a private collection.

Sources: Newspapers.com; The New York Sketch Book and Merchants Guide, 1859;
Cosmopolitan Art Journal, Vol.3, No. 5, Dec. 1859, p. 257; Trow’s New York City Directory,
Vol. LXXVIII, 1864-1865, Vol. LXXIX, 1865-1866, Vol. LXXX, 1866-1867.

The Andrews can is available at Andrews Yeast Powder Can – Hot Dip Tin