Amalia initially made funeral, christening and wedding confectionery. She also started making a smaller version of candy canes in the form of small ’pillows’. In order for her to have an income to survive, Amalia sought permission from the Magistrate in Gränna. On January 10, 1859, Amalia received permission with the statement:
Married in Grenna on January 10, 1859
Since the applicant, according to the presented priest’s certificate, has reached the age of majority and has committed the Lord’s Holy Communion and is in good health, the Magistrate finds, pursuant to § 12 1 mom. in Kongl. The Crafts Ordinance of December 22, 1846, no obstacle to the Applicant, as a means of livelihood here in the City with their own hands to engage in ”Bakery management, variety of coarse and fine bread and the manufacture of so-called Polka dots”.
The then mayor of the town of Gränna, Carl Johan Wennberg, had to sign this letter of privilege, which enabled Amalia to make a full-time living by baking and selling candy canes. This was unusual, as the reform of business freedom for women and men did not come until 1864.
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