I know that credit has been given to “Jack”, but who
actually built the house? The nursery tale has beginnings which go back a few centuries
according to Wikipedia, and it has been a basis for storybooks and decorations
on children’s items since.
My money box made from pressed tin is a little more modern
but still historical. Patent applied for is printed on the back, but it is not
clear exactly what was being patented.
No waste went into its production. The
base is printed on the inside with a Golden Syrup logo. Did someone print too
many syrup tins or is this an example of recycling of used tins? It does not
help date my little house however, as Lyle’s Golden Syrup made it into the
Guinness Book of Records in 2007 for having the world’s longest unchanged brand
packaging beginning in 1883.
The clue that the moneybox was well used, is the loss of paint in
parts of the design on the base, though the threepences would not have had far to fall
to cause damage. Wear on the corners shows in fact that it was handled quite often,
yet not at all misshapen.
From memory of similar items in my childhood, once the money
went in, it was stuck there. It was the only way to safeguard your money from
curious siblings or for that matter yourself, in a moment of wanton desire. Only
a knife, some solid manipulation and a surfeit of time was ever going to
recover anything posted through the slot.
Did a past child have this moment of frustration? I think
so. The lid of this box is now completely removable. Slight bends expose the
guilt of the child who manoeuvred an object into the corners of the slot and
prised away the ‘roof’ to reveal the treasure chest of silver and copper coins
within. Was there joy or disappointment
at the contents? I hope it was well spent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_the_House_That_Jack_Built
https://www.lylesgoldensyrup.com/our-story
