Hi
A model by Stalco Products Corporation, from the Seattle World's Fair (or Century 21 Exposition) in 1962, was the Coliseum Coin Bank, or Money Box.
The Washington State Coliseum at the Fair housed a number of exhibits, and was later used as a sports arena and convention centre.
The Coin Bank was not a kit, but came pre-assembled. It seems to be a lot rarer than the Space Needle kit, and there are fewer listings for it on Worthpoint. Not being a kit, it is not mentioned on Scalemates.
Stock Number SWF 098, and again I wonder if this was the retail price at the time?
It is basically a square building, with large supporting girders, and an overhanging roof. In the centre of the roof is a coin slot, with a circular opening, and cover, in the base for removing your coins. Moulded along one edge of the roof are the words COLISEUM COIN BANK, with SEATTLE WORLD'S FAIR on the opposite edge, and the numbers 19 and 62 in the corners.
It came in various colours and combinations. Those I have found listed on Worthpoint include a white building with a red or blue roof; or a blue building with white roof.
The box is square, and mainly white, orange, and light blue. Again it is adorned with the Century 21 logo, and words Official Souvenir. On the side of the box is Official Seattle World's Fair 1962 Coliseum Coin Bank Souvenir.
The Stalco Products Corp. name and logo appear on the box side, but there does not appear to be an address. The Space Needle Hobby Kit has more information, stating that the company was based in Norwalk, California.
All photographs from Worthpoint.
Did you have a bank like this Stalco?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
- A further post about the Stalco Seattle Space Needle kit to follow.
Wow! Thanks Paul for bringing this interesting item to my attention.
ReplyDeleteThe Space Needle kit comes up occasionally on my searches because of the faux Century 21 connection, but this one I've never seen before. It would fit nicely into my modest money bank collection.
I do love Worlds Fair Collectables, this is a new one on me too. Like Arto, I do like a good money box too! Bill
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am glad it was of interest. I was actually digging in to the Space Needle kit when I came across this money box. Although I am mainly interested in kits and die-casts, I thought I should include this unusual item as well. It looks like Stalco Products was a general plastics company that made these souvenirs for the Seattle World's Fair of 1962, but little else in the way of toys or kits. Certainly the Space Needle is the only kit mentioned on Scalemates under the Stalco name.
ReplyDeleteSorry Paul. I haven't formatted this post hence the white blocking. As soon as I get chance - Moonbas Grandaughts here - I'll format it. Lovely post. A New one on me too.
ReplyDeleteThat is OK. This seems to be a really obscure item - has no one heard of it before ?
ReplyDeleteSimple renditions of iconic buildings was a great little niche of the model industry back then. I had Educational Products' (sic?) groovy, if simple, kit of the United Nations way back when, and I loved that futuristic thing for years...
ReplyDelete