"People collect – it is a basic part of our nature to covet; objects, pictures, memories, and stories.
We all have collections however casual that give us great personal satisfaction to keep, care for,
and admire.

It is in this act, collecting, that Erik Varon’s Sweet Recollections begins. In this case, it begins
with the author’s personal collection of baseball cards. An avid collector, Varon was completing
a set of cards of the eight Chicago White Sox players accused of fixing the 1919 World Series.

One card, that of Ed Cicotte brought Varon’s attention from Chicago to Camden, New Jersey.
The back of the card marked: “Made by Philadelphia Caramel Co., Camden, New Jersey,” began
Varon’s investigation.

Sweet Recollections documents Varon’s quest to uncover the card’s origins. A well-researched,
relatable account, Recollections takes readers along for the ride. Starting with a simple baseball
card, the story delves into Camden’s “Golden Age” in the early 20th century. Engaged by the
personal stories of the Caramel Company’s founders, before I realized it, I had been transported to
Camden’s better years.

Varon’s book is a tale of personal and industrial success, history, and popular culture. Recollections
is a quintessential tale of Camden. This enjoyable account illuminates Camden’s past in a way
that challenges readers’ opinions of the city. Varon’s work brings positive elements of Camden’s
past to light and is an invaluable historical resource.

Sweet Recollections makes readers think about their collections- what they collect, how they
acquire things, and most importantly why. Varon’s story is a familiar tale of a casual collector,
yet it inspires us to take a second look at the objects that surround us everyday. Look around-
ordinary objects like baseball cards have stories to tell and can be the start of great explorations."

-Sarah Hagarty, Museum Director, Camden County Historical Society                

"Varon's well researched book contains something for everyone. The first part tells the story of the
region's candy industry and the two pioneers that founded Philadelphia Caramel Company. That
is followed by comprehensive descriptions of all thirteen insert card sets (including two with a
baseball theme) issued by the company to promote their candy. Representative examples and
complete checklists for each set is provided. I was particularly interested in Varon's discussion of a
1913 child's notebook cover that shares the same graphics as the two baseball card sets."

        -Lyman Hardeman, Editor, Old Cardboard Magazine

"Erik Varon provides a quick read about turn-of-the-century candy confectioners in the Philadelphia
area, weaving a story about successes and failures while tracing the evolution of candy company
promotional gifts and trading cards, which are eagerly sought-after by modern-day collectors. Heavily
footnoted, Varon's research provides a valuable start point for candy industry historians and card
collectors alike."

        -Steve Forster, Executive Editor, Candy & Snack TODAY