Posted 8 years ago
rniederman
(343 items)
My oldest son recently found this and thought it was pretty cool. And it is! I’ve never seen or heard of a Kodak Dime Bank. The deep blue paper label shows it was made by the Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester NY. This tiny bank is unused and in excellent condition. Given that it was probably for kids, teens and possibly adults, it’s amazing any survived let alone not broken open.
Kodak’s promotion was ingenious and simple:
“Save your dimes and get a camera that is made in the Kodak factories.”
Eager fingers would insert dimes in a slit at the top of the bank. The growing stack of dimes eventually appeared in a small hole for a particular camera. The more dimes saved, the better the camera.
When the ‘goal’ was reached, the dime bank was brought into a participating bank and opened by the person whose name appears on it.
Keeping track of dimes was possible by turning a paper indexed dial at bottom of the bank. The well known deco styled Eastman Kodak Company logo (interleaved EKC letters) appears on the top and a “Kodak Bank - Pat. App. For.” is impressed into the bottom.
None of my Kodak ephemera mentions a still bank or this promotion, but I was able to estimate a date by looking up catalog entries for each of the listed cameras; ranging in price from $3.00 to $5.00. All cameras were available for a couple decades but two in particular helped nail down possible promotion years. The No.2 Folding Brownie was discontinued in 1915 and the No.2 Folding Cartridge Premo was introduced in 1916. Both cameras were listed at $5.00.
In reviewing the 1915 and 1916 catalogues in detail, the years of 1915 and 1916 might have been chosen for the promotion because it was the same year Kodak introduced ‘autographic’ photography ... but that’s another story.
I have learnt so much from your posts,: thank you.
I agree this is cool - well educated son there!
Thanks!
Michael
BB2
aura
Thanks!
Sean
Chevelleman69
shughs
YOU had never heard of this dime bank?? Inconceivable!!
Thanks, John ... you keep me laughing.
Hi valentino97 and thanks. My son is not a photographer; actually he's a former Marine / Sniper and has a pretty good eye for antiques. He also has a very good collection of ancient Roman Imperial coins. At this time, he collects and researches early and mid-century American firearms.
Thanks!
mtg75
sugargirl
chrissylovescats
Agreed, never seen another, such a special addition to your collection. Your son did very well with this. I've always enjoyed browsing your pieces you've shared, but this has brought me a smile in heart to see family members that add something so simple and related to a collection that normally you wouldn't have even thought of.
Bingle Jells
Kerry
Thanks Kerry for the 'love' and comment. I am indeed fortunate that my kids appreciate antiques and look for interesting things for my wife's and my collections. And this is I normally wouldn't look but it adds depth to my collection. Happy Holidays! - Rob
Thanks!
vetraio50
usedcarlady
racer4four
Longings
Thanks and happy holidays!
David
leighannrn
farmlady
Brightfall
Designer
fortapache
Thanks and happy holidays!
Lady_Picker
trukn20
crswerner
gargoylecollector
Thanks!
MyFavoriteTreasures
sanhardin
AntigueToys
egreeley1976
Thanks!
Nicefice
Kerry
Beachbum58
Otaco4me
Thanks, bankcollector!
Thanks, brunswick!