When I was small (mid 1950's) a lady would call at the house each week (or maybe it was each month) to sell Savings Stamps. A Charles stamp cost half-a-crown, and an Anne stamp cost sixpence (sexism was always rampant).
These stamps were stuck into a small book, and the cash (plus interest) could be withdrawn from the Post Office as required.
I remember my book well, and I also remember the woman who called to sell the stamps. What I do NOT remember, however, is what I did with them. No doubt I cashed them in and bought something worthless and flighty.
Just looking at the above picture brings back wonderful memories. I can remember in which room the transactions took place, I remember the room itself (the breakfast room), and I can even remember my mother handing over the money from her purse.
The UK Post Office has recently been privatised, but I can't imagine them offering such a personal service again. Pity!
As for the actual stamps, Charles is still recognisable; Anne much less so.
There are always people wanting to use your money. I would look for the next round of house callers to look like R2D2 or maybe C3PO. Eventually though the queen herself (or a very impressive likeness of her) will show up at your door.
ReplyDeleteI remember those stamps, but not in as much detail as you do! ( I mainly had the Anne ones) I expect my mum cashed them in to buy us shoes or something we needed. Whatever made you think of them again?
ReplyDeleteI've still got my National Savings book (Princess Anne stamps) so I call that very thrifty indeed. I think it amounts to about three shillings.
ReplyDeleteYou might be surprised. When my people bought their last home in Sussex, it was as the result of a decease. In one of the garages I found several old savings books, with certificates rather than stamps). The face value was about £300, but with accrued interest was several thousands. I forwarded them to the dead man's son.... and never heard another word. I wish I'd kept them.
DeleteI remember the ones with the certificates and, when I was about five years old, being taken to the Post Office to "sign" a form for the money to be withdrawn. Our parents obviously needed the money and an I.O.U. was placed in the book.
ReplyDeleteThat's where it went then; no wonder I don't remember spending it.
DeleteOh Cro ….. that certainly brings back memories and, like Frances, I had mainly Princess Anne ones. I don't know why but this made me think of all the people who used to knock on the door. There was the man who sold household goods and gave you a free miniature tin of lavender polish { I loved that tin of polish !! }, the Corona man and the man who sharpened knives { to name just a few } !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteWe also had a lot of gypsies calling. They sold washing-line pegs, and strange wax flowers on dried sprigs.
DeleteIsn't it wonderful when a memory comes 'aknocking at the shutters of your mind? It's the gift that keeps on giving as it starts a whole parade of associated memories. I don't think we had anything like your savings stamps here in Canada. I do remember books of stuck down stamps collected at the grocery stores and turned in for merchandise. They were all different colours for different prize items. Mom used to 'let' me stick them in. The glue was terrible.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we have little plastic 'loyalty cards'.
DeleteWell at least they don't taste bad...ummmm...no no, I haven't tasted them. Really.
DeleteWell, at least you still have the memory.........until the dementia sets in.
ReplyDeleteWhat memory?
DeleteI'd completely forgotten--postal savings stamps. Why can I remember buying them at school? That doesn't make sense. We pasted them on a card, and when we had enough turned them in for a savings bond.
ReplyDeleteThis post brings back so many memories of my childhood. A lady from the grocer's shop in Matlock (our nearest town) came every fortnight to collect our order and used to hand out those tins of polish. She would sit at the table with her hat and coat still on and have a cup of tea and a rich tea biscuit.
ReplyDeleteThe butcher's van came twice a week, the baker's van every day, The ice cream van came every day in the school holidays.
Happy days, although I conveniently forget the less good bits, like the fact that there was no heating in the bedrooms or bathroom, the loo was outside, we didn't have a TV or telephone and I got chilblains every year without fail.
I used to get chilblains on my ears; every year too!
DeleteThank you for reminding me of those stamps. It wasn't until you posted this that it brought them back to my memory. The memory is a mavelous thing when jogged.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the last paragraph, no central heating, no heating in the bedrooms and the loo at the bottom of the garden. But many happy memories too.
Christy
I remember them well - I still have my childhood Post Office Savings Book with £1 in it.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have those postage stamp savings books, but we had similar to what Delores mentioned. There were S&H green stamps, which were given at various places--gas (petrol) stations, grocery stores, and the like. There was also a grocery store in my hometown that gave out its own version of plaid stamps. You'd affix them in their respective books, and turn in the completed books for merchandise. Sometimes we'd pore over the catalogue to see how many books we'd need for a particular item.
ReplyDeleteCharles hasn't changed much! A bit less hair!
ReplyDelete