This is an authentic, highly collectible vintage pre-WWII advertising pocket coin bank manufactured by the renowned Chicago Thrift Co. of Chicago, Illinois. This clever, miniature piece of financial history was distributed as a promotional premium by The Millikin National Bank of Decatur, Illinois.

The top cap features a beautifully preserved, vibrant red, blue, and gold lithographed celluloid insert depicting a woman saving money alongside the classic Depression-era motivational slogan, "Save More Have More." The bank utilizes an ingenious telescoping mechanism: when empty, it sits compactly at a pocket-friendly 1.5 inches closed, and expands dynamically up to 3 inches fully extended as coins are stacked inside. The coin slot is seamlessly revealed on the side of the upper barrel segment when extended, designed to securely store dimes or small change.

The solid brass baseplate is clearly stamped with the manufacturer's hallmark and historical patent markings: “CHICAGO THRIFT CO. CHICAGO PATENTED 117035”

• Manufacturer: Chicago Thrift Co., Chicago, Illinois

• Advertising Institution: The Millikin National Bank (Decatur, Illinois)

• Material: Nickel-plated brass/steel body, stamped brass base, lithographed celluloid top insert

• Dimensions: 1.5" Height (Closed) / 3" Height (Fully Extended) x 0.85" Diameter

• Origin: United States (Chicago, IL / Decatur, IL)

• Age: Circa 1939 (Based on U.S. Design Patent D117,035 granted to the Chicago Thrift Company in October 1939 for this specific compact telescoping bank configuration).

Condition Report

• Mechanical: Excellent functional condition. The telescoping segments pull out smoothly, hold their alignment properly, and lock cleanly back into the compressed pocket position.

• Surface/Patina: Shows a beautifully honest, uncleaned vintage patina. The original nickel plating retains strong reflective properties with minor surface friction wear, microscopic pinpoint pitting, and fine handling scratches consistent with a piece that was carried in a pocket or stored in a drawer for decades.

• Lithograph Insert: The celluloid advertising insert on top is in exceptional condition, boasting bold color registration and crisp text. There is only a trace bit of minor age-toning around the very edge ring, but no major cracks, deep scratches, or fading.

• Lock Mechanism: The baseplate keyway remains unmolested and is not pried or bent (no key included, which is typical for these promotional premiums as the keys were traditionally retained by the bank teller to encourage savings habits).

Reference

For a historical guide to promotional premiums and architectural/still banks of this era, a similar class of commercial financial premiums is documented in:

• Book Title: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks

• Author: Andy Moore

• Reference Context: Stamped metal, pocket-sized, and institutional promotional advertising still banks of the early-to-mid 20th century.

Authenticity Assessment

This piece is deemed to be authentic and is a true period casting and assembly by the Chicago Thrift Co. The primary authenticity markers are perfectly met: the base features sharp, factory-die stamped typography rather than a soft modern reproduction casting. The internal telescoping columns show correct concentric manufacturing tolerances and expected metal oxidation gradients between the shielded sections. Furthermore, the top lithograph displays the correct fine-line composition and material aging characteristic of authentic 1930s celluloid inserts rather than modern laser printing or vinyl stickers.

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