Sugar Paper: A Generation's Sweet Memories

During past interviews with collectors and within the collecting community, we discovered that the joy of collectors often stems from their deep passion for life. While the auction market is full of high-stakes competition, it's the small, everyday objects—like the little things that capture moments of daily life—that truly touch the heart. In this issue, which coincides with the Tibetan Lunar New Year in the Year of the Tiger, we are presenting a special collection of manuscripts to our readers. We hope to offer you new perspectives and experiences in the world of collecting.

Sugar paper was once more than just a wrapper—it was a symbol of childhood joy. Back in the day, colorful sugar papers were tucked between pages of books or exchanged among friends. The happiness found in collecting these small pieces went beyond the sweetness they held. Today, these unique packaging designs have become cherished memories for many collectors, echoing a simpler time filled with sweet nostalgia.

The Sweetness of Collecting

Candy came in various forms—jelly, lump sugar, and 3D sugar. Old sugar papers featured items like "bird sugar," "pillow sugar," "stick sugar," and "picture sugar." The materials used for these wrappers included glassine paper and waxed paper. Collecting old sugar papers involved washing, flattening, cataloging, sorting, and even playing with them. Early on, brands like "Shanghai Toffee," "Guan Sheng Yuan," "ABC," "Tai Pai," "Sanxi Brand," "Yi Li," "Old Guang Ming," "West District Big House," and "Tiger Brand" set the tone for the Chinese confectionery industry. In the 1950s and 1970s, collecting sugar papers wasn't easy. But during the Spring Festival, it was the best time to gather them. It was a challenging but rewarding hobby.

A beautiful pair of candy papers may not seem much at first glance, but when organized well, they can form images of animals, scenes from animation, flowers, cities like Shanghai or Beijing, plain paper, or even plastic. Some even feature gold leaf. Organizing these papers allows you to trace back the history embedded in each design. Children loved the vibrant colors, especially during an era when adult clothing was monotonous—black, green, and gray. For kids, a colorful candy wrapper was a glimpse of beauty in a dull world. These small details from the past have now become a unique form of visual art.

The Story Behind Old Sugar Papers

Collecting sugar papers usually didn’t cost much. It was more about being observant and patient. Sometimes, you could trade with other children. There were also different types of sugar papers—some were rare, others were common. For example, Mickey Mouse toffee became highly valuable, and its packaging was considered “gold.” A single piece of Mickey Mouse candy paper could be worth more than several regular ones. If you could trade a string of sugar papers for a copy of “Quotations,” it would bring immense pride. During the planned economy era, entire sheets of sugar paper (80 or 90 consecutive pieces) were highly sought after, as they were left over due to material shortages and sudden policy changes.

Shanghai Toffee, Beijing Crispy Sugar, and Guangzhou Fructose are known as China’s three famous sugars. Among them, “Red Shrimp Crisp” is beloved by all ages. In the early years, Beijing’s small sugar mills used child-friendly molds to create crunchy sugar, earning it the nickname “baby crunch” in the north. After the public-private partnership, most private sugar mills were integrated into Beijing No. 1 Food Factory. In 1963, they launched the popular Red Shrimp Crisp. Its crumpled paper was traditionally printed on yellow background with a vivid red shrimp design.

Is Old Sugar Paper Valuable?

Some hand-painted sugar papers have fetched high prices. For instance, one labeled “December 27, 1966” sold for 1,500 yuan. Eight sets of “Chai Zhi Zhai” sugar papers were valued at 1,200 yuan. Baoding Huimin Sugar Factory, founded in April 1953, produced limited toffee and canned sugar, with some old sugar papers selling for 80 yuan each. During that era, even the pattern of a model drama could be as valuable as a sugar paper. Designs featured characters like the clever A Ching-hung or the red-clad “Red Lantern” heroine. One 5-yuan candy paper included a red light, reflecting the theme of “Vietnam’s little heroes defeating U.S. imperialism.” Others carried messages like “longevity blessings” or “we must liberate Taiwan,” making them historically significant.

The “Mickey Mouse” candy paper, which has been cherished by generations, recently saw a surge in value after Disneyland opened in Shanghai. This brought new opportunities to collectors of old Mickey Mouse sugar papers, with prices rising over 20 times in just six months.

Representative: Qin Jie

Deputy Director and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Collector’s Association Books, Newspapers and Collecting Committee

“Sugar paper represents a culture that has faded in modern life. It has become a fascinating part of the lives of those who lived through more modest times. It touches the memories of that era.” – Qin Jie