Embellished Plastic Coin Holder Box. 1940s. Maker: See below. Wonderful small early plastic hinged coin box, made in the style of a compact. It has a pink and gold floral painted top and two inset rhinestones. Inside has different sized slots with imprinted denominations for coins. Underside has patent number.
And here’s where it gets fantastic. I found the original 1949 patent document online (
http://www.google.com/patents/USD156402), along with the illustration for the box. I tried to track down Mr. John H. Blackwell, and discovered he would be about 122 years old if he were living. I found his home address from 1948, but am having trouble locating relatives. I believe he may have had a daughter named Doris, who would be 92. If you have any information about this inventor and/or this delightful little coin box, please email info@vintagepursegallery.com.
DESCRIPTION (OCR text may contain errors)
Dec. 13,1949 BLACKWELL Des. 156,402
COIN PURSE OR SIMILAR ARTICLE Filed June 21, 1949 IN VEN TOR.
Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES Des. 156,402
PATENT OFFICE COIN PURSE OR SIMILAR ARTICLE John H. Blackwell, Los Angeles, Calif.
Application June 21, 1948, Serial No. 147,102
Term of patent 14 years (Cl. D87-3) To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, John H. Blackwell, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new, original, and ornamental Design for 2. Coin Purse or Similar Article, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part thereof.
In the drawing:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a coin purse, showing my new design;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coin purse; and
Fig. 3 is an isometric view thereof in an open position showing the coin compartments.
I claim:
The ornamental design for a coin purse, or similar article, substantially as shown.
JOHN H. BLACKWELL.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 60,058 Petersen Dec. 20, 1921 D. 73,940 Noonan Nov. 22, 1927 D. 151,437 Ewing Oct. 19, 1948