Lunch Box Art
Photographer Tom Steele explores vintage Lunch Boxes as artifacts of American popular culture featuring our favorite superheroes, crime fighters and other characters. These rare collectables have been photographed in exquisite detail capturing the excitement of the original graphics and the scratches and dents that tell a story about its history. Available in grand scale archival prints up to 72” wide with museum quality acrylic mounts.
Snoopy
Snoopy is an all-time favorite. This original box from 1959 features Snoopy as the World War I Ace Pilot flying his Sopwith Camel (a British bi-plane) in search of his arch enemy, the “Red Baron”. Cats may have nine lives but Snoopy has over 100 fantasy lives (alter egos), including a college student known as “Joe Cool”.
“Beep Beep”
This 1970 Lunch Box features yet another attempt of Wile E. Coyote to catch The Road Runner (for dinner) which is doomed to fail in slapstick fashion.
Superman
Superman is the archetype of superheroes fighting evil with super powers. Born on the planet Krypton his parents sent him to earth where his adoptive parents raised him as Clark Kent. This 1954 ‘Superman vs The Robot’ lunch box is considered the Holy Grail of rare and vintage lunch boxes.
Available sizes: 24”, 36”, 48”, 60” and 72” wide.
Build your own Collection.
Dick Tracy
Dick Tracy is one of the most enduring pop-culture icons. He is a smart and intelligent police detective fighting the crimes of a colorful library of villains. This 1967 lunch box features his most iconic ‘device’, the two-way Wrist Radio. Martin Cooper who invented the mobile phone credited Dick Tracy’s two-way Wrist Radio as his inspiration.
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor: “I'm strong to da finich, 'cause I eats me spinach.” This original lunch box from 1964 features Popeye and his crew sailing the S.S. Popyeye. Onboard is Popeye with his trademark pipe, Olive Oyl his flirty girlfriend, Swee’pea, and Wimpy. Overboard is Popeyes rival for Olive Oyl’s attention, the bearded, hulking Brutus. Popeye is a scrappy seaman who gets his superhero strength from spinach. He’s always ready for a fight. “I yam what I yam, and that’s all what I yam.”
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a former Texas Ranger who fights outlaws in the old west with the aid of Silver his trusted horse, and his Native American friend Tonto. This rare 1954 lunch box features The Lone Ranger riding Silver and his trademark phrase “Hi-Yo Silver!”
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is the alter-ego of Bret Reid, the fictional publisher of the Daily Sentinel. By night, the Green Hornet fights crime with his confidant Kato. This 1967 Lunch Box features The Green Hornet and Kato masked and heading out to fight crime in their technologically advanced car, “The Black Beauty”.
Batman
Batman is a superhero without superpowers who relies on his intellect, fighting skills and wealth to fight crimes in Gotham. He has a stringent moral code and a strong sense of justice. His sidekicks are Robin and Batgirl. His foes include the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face and his archenemy the Joker. This original 1967 Lunch Box features Batman and Robin, the Batmobile and the villain receiving justice.
The Collection
Explore the Collection, find your superhero and start your collection of Tom Steele’s Lunch Box Art.
Each image is available as individual Limited Edition fine art prints. Build your own collection or purchase the entire collection as a single print. Choose from widths of 24”, 36”, 48” 60” or 72” inches.
The Process
This Collection has been photographed in meticulous detail embracing the scratches, dents and markings as a ‘coat of honor’, telling a story about each items history.
The grand scale images reveal the mechanical dot pattern of the original lithographic process, not typically visible to the naked eye, the dots are now visible in striking detail.
Each image in Lunch Box Art embodies the spirit of our favorite superheroes that have captured our imaginations and continue to inspire us to new adventures.
The Fine Art Print
Photographed with the highest resolution cameras and finest optics every detail is recorded.
Each Limited Edition print is crafted using an Archival Pigment process producing superb color gamut and archival qualities.
Attention to detail and craftsmanship is paramount throughout the entire process to ensure that every Limited Edition print meets Tom’s exacting standards of quality.