Advertising and consumer spending among the middle classes expanded rapidly in the mid-nineteenth century. One of many ways of appealing to the new shoppers was packaging, and biscuit tins were a very discreet form of this kind of promotion. Their appeal lies in the artistic quality and detail of their decoration, serving as a travel guide and souvenir, educational aid and plaything. Their design demonstrates a wide knowledge and love of art and is executed with great care and attention to detail, yet their designers mostly remain anonymous.