Enjoy a collection of images from the Cardassilaris Family archive, exploring a range of posters, packaging and prints from Cardassilaris brands since 1862.
For centuries, citrus orchards and mastic have been the most valuable products for the island of Chios. The first reports of citrus growing in Chios go back to 1400 and the exportation of fruits and fruit juices in barrels were first reported in 1474.
For nearly 350 years, Chios flourished. However, production ceased in 1822 during the Turkish invasion, which saw the destruction of all crops. In 1833, the island’s growers began to rebuild the orchards and plant new trees. Cardassilaris Bros, founded in 1862, began exporting fruit to Russia in small wooden boxes. Each fruit was individually wrapped in special paper and a poster was placed over the top layer, helping to cement the brand.
Conflict once again ceased production on Chios as World War II cast its shadow. During the occupation of Greece, the island’s export activities came to a halt and all fruit was reserved for the German army. As the local representative of the German fruit trader, Sefel and Smith, Cardassilaris Bros was forced to deliver all fruit to the German army. After the war, fruit exports resumed once again.
Cardassilaris Family thanks George Moutsatsos for his thorough research and books on the citrus fruit grown in Chios.
