Collectibles -> Banks-Registers-and-Vending
Some of us remember going into the local Mom & Pop shop and having our penny candy rang up on a tall brass cash register. Some of us have seen such registers in dime stores or in antique stores. There are many things to be appreciated about a vintage cash register, not the least of which is the beautiful design. There’s no comparing an old cash register to the computerized scanning registers today. One may be more modern and efficient, but vintage cash registers were beautiful in their own right.
Before there were cash registers, people held their shop money in a variety of ways—each way individual to the store. Maybe they put it in an envelope or a pouch in a drawer, or even in an old cigar box as was common at the time. The cash register seemed to most to be a newfangled and unnecessary device, not worth spending any of that hard-earned money on. This is at least part of the reason why the registers were made with such beautiful cabinets—to entice people to buy them.
Shop owners had to have something that would look handsome in their stores, and be impressive to the customers, so the cash register was designed to be beautiful and give the look of success. The registers became status symbols for the store owner. And more than that, they represented American ingenuity at its finest, when assembly line production was in its infancy.
Cash register collecting isn’t nearly as widespread as collecting china, stamps or coins, but those who do it have a certain passion for their subject. If you want to get started collecting vintage cash registers, you’ll want to look at registers manufactured before 1917 or 1918. The beginning of World War I also started a metal shortage in America that limited the use of brass in cash register design, among other things. So registers produced during this time were plain and boxy, with no real ornamentation. That caught on, and the look from then on was merely functional rather than beautiful.
Early registers like the Ritty are prized by collectors because they were the first and gave way to great strides in the technology that changed cash register design almost immediately. Many collectors enjoy purchasing very old registers and restoring them to functionality. If you can find a beautiful brass register, polish it and restore it, you’ll have a true conversation piece that will look good anywhere in your home. Unlike many antiques and collectibles, a cash register is typically worth more when it’s restored than when it’s in its original condition, unless its original condition is excellent. Restoration should bring the register as close to its original condition as possible.
There are societies dedicated to cash register collection where you can research manufacturers and find which are more collectible, and shops and organizations that can help you purchase original parts to restore these registers. Antique shops and online auctions are great places to find beautiful registers for your unique collection.
Originally posted 2008-12-11 05:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Collectible Pipes Collectables -> Tobacciana -> Pipes If you think all pipes look basically the same, then you should take some time to browse through the variety of collectible pipes available in places like eBay or collectible pipe shops online. With today's campaigns against smoking of all types, and the media...... -
Collectible Bottles Collectibles -> Bottles and Insulators -> Bottles-> Antique (Pre-1930) One of the most unique forms of collectibles are bottles and you’d be surprised at just how many you can find. Ranging from antiques that were produced in the 1900’s, to ones that are just rolling off the assembly line right...... -
Miniature Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Miniatures When it comes to a delightful collectible that won’t take up a lot of space, miniature collectibles are the ideal answer. These tiny little works of art require a great deal of craftsmanship and many of them feature amazingly lifelike details. You can find...... -
Vintage Red Wine Storage Temperature is an unseen factor when it comes to collecting vintage red wine, and so it is a factor that is often neglected. Unfortunately, it plays a very, very large and significant role in bringing out the best or the worst in a bottle of wine, both when it comes...... -
Coca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought......
Related Websites -
How Collecting Paper Money Stacks Up to Collecting Coins Coin collecting is a hobby which has been going strong for centuries. It is estimated that collecting paper money has been going on ever since the government started to use paper currency. While there are records of people keeping extensive coin collections over 200 years ago, the trend of collecting...... -
When to Walk Away from Coin Collecting Coin collecting is an incredible hobby that gives millions of people around the world enjoyment year after year. There are people who jump into coin collecting in their adult life, and others who have been collecting for as long as they can remember. While some are going to continue to...... -
How To Quickly Start a Paper Money Collection For some, currency collecting is a slow and deliberate process that takes years of work and research to form. For others, a paper money and paper currency collection is a quick hobby that eventually grows into a lasting hobby after a fierce and focused start. If you are looking to...... -
3 Things You Should Know Before Collecting Coin There are many great hobbies you can get started with. One of the hobbies which seems to be gaining a lot of popularity is the hobby of coin collecting. This is for a few different reasons. For instance, you are able to discover a lot about the history of the...... -
Selling Your Coin Collection There are plenty of people who will keep their coin collection into old age, hanging on to the sentimental value of the coins they have collected. There are others who have simply lost interest in their collection and have no need to keep it. These individuals are better off trying......
