Stockton Savings & Loan Society Inkwell/Stamp Dispenser (1908)

This is a rare piece of advertising memorabilia and desk accessory, serving as a functional architectural miniature of the historic Stockton Savings & Loan Society building.

Object and Function

• Type: Combination Desk Accessory (likely a commemorative item or premium).
• Dual Function: It is designed to serve as both an inkwell and a stamp coil dispenser.
  • Inkwell: The top (roof section) is hinged and lifts up to reveal and provide access to a recessed glass inkwell insert.
  • Stamp Dispenser: The narrow, horizontal slot located at the back of the building model was intended to dispense a coil (roll) of U.S. postage stamps, which became commercially available for the first time in 1908.

Construction and Detailing

• Material: Burnished, silver-colored metal (likely cast white metal with a silver-colored plating/finish).
• Casting Style: The casting is finely detailed and three-dimensional, capturing the essence of the actual building with a high level of detail, including:
  • The distinctive rounded corner of the building.
  • Architectural elements like the window frames and ground-floor facade details.
  • A prominent fire escape ladder with a landing visible at each floor level.
• Inscriptions (Raised Lettering): The piece is covered with promotional and architectural details cast into the metal:
  • Roof Cornice: “STOCKTON SAVINGS & LOAN SOCIETY” and the important date “NOVEMBER 1908.”
  • Front Base Sides (Marketing): “Banking By Mail” and “Write to Us,” directly linking the item to the bank’s marketing campaign and justifying the stamp dispenser function.
  • Back Base (Architectural Credit): “Myers and Ward Architects – Kohl Building – San Francisco,” crediting the firm that designed the structure.

Historical Significance and Context

• The Building: The model represents the magnificent Classic Revival-style structure erected for the Bank of Stockton (formerly Stockton Savings & Loan) on the northeast corner of Main and San Joaquin Street.
• Construction Date: The building was authorized in 1906, and the date November 1908 on the model likely commemorates the official opening or dedication of the new bank headquarters, famously nicknamed “Stockton’s First Skyscraper.”
• Architects: Designed by the prominent San Francisco firm Myers and Ward.
• Landmark Status: The actual building is a recognized historical landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Reference #78000764), added in 1978. It continues to serve as the downtown office for the Bank of Stockton.
• Advertising Context: This piece is a tangible link to a pivotal moment in both postal history and American business. The “Banking By Mail” slogan and the inclusion of a stamp dispenser are a direct reference to the coinciding introduction of US coil stamps in 1908, highlighting a modern convenience the bank was keen to promote.