Chocolate is a mysterious yet sublimely delicious substance. It was a drink before it became a delicacy, a food before it became a delicious treat.
There have been many people who assisted me in the research and writing of this book on “a very delicious memory from the past”; however, I would like to especially thank Andy Sawicky for sharing his time, expertise, knowledge and, with the loan of some interesting advertisements, pieces of ephemera and photographs from his collection of Baker Chocolate memorabilia used in this book. I would also like to thank Anne Flanagan Thompson for the use of her research material, conversations and sharing her unbounded enthusiasm for “all things Baker.” Without the assistance, immense patience and unflagging support of Cesidio “Joe” Cedrone, this book would never have been completed, and I dedicate this book to him.
I would also like to offer sincere thanks to Donald and Cynthia Agnetta; the residents of Baker Square Condominiums; Donald Blair; the Boston Public Library, Print Room, Aaron Schmidt; Helen Buchanan; the late Paul G. Buchanan; Judith Reed Emmons Bullock; Sean Cahill; Mary Jo Campbell; Cedar Grove Cemetery; the late Donato Cedrone-Sammarco; Elise Ciregna and Stephen LoPiccolo; Edith G. Clifford; Regina Clifton; Elizabeth Curtiss; the Dallas, Texas Public Library, Rachel Garrett Howell; William Dillon; the Dorchester Community News; Mike Doyle; Jean Dudley; Olivia Grant Dybing; the marvelous world of eBay; the late Dr. Lydia Bowman Edwards; the late A. Bradlee Emmons; the late Joan Estelle Evans; William Fall; Robert Fitzgerald; Captain Forbes House Museum, Christine Sullivan, director; Russell Fox; Jean Goldman and Vincent DaForno; Edward Gordon; Helen Hannon; Historic Burying Ground Initiative, city of Boston; Historic New England, Lorna Condon; James Hobin; Chuck and Pam Huckins; Hutchinson; Peter Jackson and Donna Dickerson; Stephen Kharfen; James Z. Kyprianos; Nadine Leary; Jane S. Lemire; Tim Lemire; Paul Leo; Joseph LoPiccolo; Judith McGillicuddy; Karen L. Mac Nutt Esq.; Milton Cemetery, Therese Desmond Sills; Mittens; Mount Auburn Cemetery, Janet Hayward; Frank Norton; Ellen Ochs; Stephen O’Donnell; Susan W. Paine; the late Stephen Davies Paine; James Pardy; Frances Perkins and Charlie Rosenberg; Jeannette Lithgow Peverly; Loretta Philbrook; Mark Pickering; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Erin Schleigh; Linda Mason Pirie, president of the Milton Historical Society; Steven Pirie; Elva Proctor; Lilian M.C. Randall; Kita Reece; Margaret Recanzone; Saunders Robinson, my editor; Nina and Anthony Salvucci; Carolyn Savage; Robert Bayard Severy; Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden, Germany, Yvonne Brandt; Jeanne Sutton; Earl Taylor, president of the Dorchester Historical Society; Anne and George Thompson; Carolyn D. Thornton; Archives and Special Collections, Healey Library, University of Massachusetts Boston, Elizabeth Mock; the Urban College of Boston; Peter Van Delft; the Victorian Society, New England Chapter; Steven Walker, South End Photo Lab; Ann and Thomas Walsh; Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia; the late Marion White Woodbridge; Monica Woodbridge; Virginia M. White; and James Preston Wysong.
However, per the specific request of Mary A. Carragher Esq., attorney for Kraft Foods, the successor in interest to the Walter Baker Chocolate Company and owner of the Baker’s Chocolate trademark and La Belle Chocolatiere design trademark, Kraft Foods wished to state that it “does not authorize, endorse or sponsor this book and was in no way affiliated with it.” Nor did they offer any cooperation or assistance.