What is the Allure of Vintage Cash Registers?

Vintage cash registers have become desired andfor a variety of reasons. Some for the beauty and
sought after collectors items in today's collectiblesintricate designs alone, whilst others collect them
market.because they honor a part of American and British
Brands such as National Manufacturing Company, andheritage and marks a specific time in historical growth
NCR were among the most popular of their day,and progress.
although smaller, associated companies such as Ideal,In todays collectors market, some collectors choose
Ritty and Lamson are valued items as well. Todayto restore their antique cash register to its former
there are a wide variety of websites and articles thatglory, however, this is often a costly process even if
help in the history, sales and collecting of these items.the parts CAN be found. Others choose to leave
Antique cash registers today are regarded as part oftheirs in the condition they found it in, choosing to let
our cultural History.the passage of time speak for itself!
First introduced in the late 1800's and meant to actIt is relatively easy to find one of these jewels on
as a sales register, and to prevent theft, storedisplay these days, in antique stores or museums,
owners were not entirely won over by theseOccasionally you will find them used in vintage
machines and certainly did not need to rely on them.decorating. You can even find some old historic hotels
Manufacturers then began producing cash registers,today still honoring their history by displaying their
as "show pieces", a way for store owners to attractvintage cash register.
customersinto their stores. These cash machinesWhether you are a collector, or just enjoy being
were intricately engraved and ornate, often withtransported to times gone by, the Antique cash
silver, brass and fitted with bells.register offers a glimpse into early 1900's
The old cash machines were primarily made of brass,craftsmanship that cannot be compromised.
but were also manufactured in wood, cast iron andA look back in time to much more simple days, they
nickel.make you want to tie up your horse and run a tab
In 1917, with the burdens of the first world war,at your local dime store. Appreciating the James Ritty
limits were established on metals in the United Statesinvention of the late 1800's is an important part of
and Great Britain, thus ending the production of thewhere we have come from, when we sit down to
more elaborate cash registers and being replaced byour laptops, and pay for our groceries with our credit
cheaper materials.Today, antique cash registers arecards.
collectors items. People collect vintage cash registers