Save in style with this charming vintage Holiday Savings tin bank, a delightful example of mid-20th-century British design. Made in Great Britain—most likely by the Metal Box Company Ltd—this colourful tin features nostalgic illustrations of children enjoying seaside holidays under a radiant sun, capturing the joy and optimism of post-war Britain.
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Type: Divided savings money tin / bank
Material: Lithographed tinplate
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Design: The lid features colourful, cheerful illustrations of children in vintage-style swimsuits enjoying holiday beach activities—fishing, digging, sailing, etc.—beneath a stylized sun. Below it, the phrase “holiday savings” is printed in a hand-lettered font.
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Slots: There are five vertical coin slots in the lid, corresponding to separate internal compartments—often used to divide savings for different purposes or children.
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Interior: The inside is plain black, showing signs of wear, corrosion, and remnants of writing (initials "PW" perhaps from a child who owned it).
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Marking: On the rim, it reads: “6 MB CONTAINER MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN”. "MB" likely refers to Metal Box Company Ltd, a prominent British tin manufacturer.
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Historical Context
These savings tins were commonly used in post-war Britain when saving for treats like holidays was encouraged.
The Metal Box Company Ltd was a major tinware manufacturer supplying containers for biscuits, tea, and promotional items, including banks and charity tins.
Designs featuring nostalgic scenes of childhood were typical of mid-century British consumer culture, aligning with post-war optimism and the rise of domestic seaside holidays.
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Approx size. 22 cm wide x 10 cm deep x 5–6 cm high
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Condition
Moderate wear consistent with age:
Scuffing and scratches to the lithograph
Small rust spots, especially on the base and interior
Some loss of paint and signs of prior use
The inner coin compartments are intact but worn
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Collectible Appeal
Ideal for collectors of vintage British tinware, money boxes, or mid-century children's ephemera
Can be used decoratively in retro-themed interiors or children’s rooms
