File:Employee operating a spice cleaning apparatus at the Crescent Manufacturing Company, Seattle, circa 1923 (MOHAI 8591).jpg

The Crescent Manufacturing Company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as Larsen Extract Company. By the early 20th century, Crescent was manufacturing 75 different extracts including Mapleine, as well as importing spices, coffee, and nuts. Crescent was sold to McCormick and Company in 1989, and consolidated its operations in Kent, Washington in 1990. Pictured here is an employee operating a spice cleaning apparatus at the Crescent Manufacturing Company at Railroad Street South and South Connecticut Street, now Alaskan Way South and South Royal Brougham Way.

Caption on facing page: A SPICE CLEANING APPARATUS. This is a machine for the cleaning of spices. By proper adjustments five separations may be made, in this way removing dust, sand, sticks and stems and dividing the spice into select and standard grades. It was designed and built by the Crescent Manufacturing Company and is the only one of its kind. Ordinary pepper usually ground directly from the sack. This machine removes more than 15 pounds of debris from every 100 pounds of pepper. Handwritten on image: 110724.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Crescent Manufacturing Company (Seattle, Wash.); Factories—Washington (State)—Seattle; Industries—Washington (State)—Seattle; Spices