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"Air Mail" Coin Bank, Rare, World War II-Era Metal Bank, British Art Deco

About the Item

This extremely rare example of World War II-era Art Deco/Moderne design, produced by the Chad Valley Company in England, served as a coin bank, with a slot on one side to accept coins by young men and women motivated to save their pennies. The painted metal bank depicts several modern airplanes on its sides, flying amidst Art Deco clouds, along with a small placard reading "Next Collection 1:45 P.M." This piece was clearly made to make the most of the romance and adventure associated with air travel, and the cylindrical piece is painted in a lovely sky-blue color accented with off-white. Evidently few of these banks were made, and fewer survived, because we cannot find another example.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Diameter: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1940s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Paint shows multiple scuffs and scratches; metal shows small dimples.
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865140240592

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