Beacon Blankets by Jerry and Kathy Brownstein

This 172-page hardcover book tells the history of the Beacon Blanket Company. Beginning in the late 19th century, the book features many color plates showing the early Beacon catalog pages and blanket designs. Cisco’s was a major contributor to the book, sharing their extensive Beacon blanket collection of over 300. Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, Pennsylvania. As a result of the bubonic plaque and several invasions of flies throughout Europe, Germany established several laws in the early 16th century requiring all food and beverage containers be covered. By combining a lid, hinge, and thumb lift, these "German" containers could easily be opened and closed with one hand. Steins became very popular, and many different types of designs and decorations were artistically applied to them. Many stein-decorating styles and techniques were developed over the centuries, offering further diversity to this creative, historical, artistic, and ever-evolving gift item.