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Gary National Book Bank Souvenirs Gary Indiana Art Deco Ship & Plane No Key
Marked: BANKERS UTILITIES CO
SAN FRANCISCO
PATENTED
JULY 3 1923
Made in USA
This is a 1923 art deco styled vintage promotional "Book of Thrift" coin savings bank distributed by the Gary National Bank of Gary, Indiana. A novelty item encouraging clients to save money.
The unique metal banks were manufactured by companies like the Bankers Utilities Co. of San Francisco starting around the 1920s. They were designed to look like an ordinary, leather-bound book so they could blend in discreetly on a bookshelf.
Financial institutions handed these out to customers, especially young children, to encourage thrift and steady saving habits.
The bank featured a coin slot along the top or side edge.
Note: Crucially, the bank would not provide a key to the saver. Once the "book" was full of coins, the individual had to bring it into the physical Gary National Bank branch. A teller would use their master key to unlock it, count the money, and deposit it directly into a savings account.
Cover Art: art deco styled The embossed leather looking material. A triangular diamond pattern is infused with the bank embossed on the front and boat, plane and building on the back.
Item Measures: 4 1/2” by 3 1/2” wide 1 1/4” thick.
Condition: good used, no Key( read history ) front cover has a split in the cover. Needs repair. I have not attempted to open it. Does it contain money? It never had a key!
Weight without packaging: 10 ounces
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