-St. Nicholas- mechanical bank c. 1975

Editor: This is the "-St. Nicholas- mechanical bank" dated circa 1975 by Reynolds Toys. It’s made of metal. I find it interesting how it combines childhood innocence with what seems like a pretty direct invitation to save money! What historical forces do you think are at play here? Curator: That's a great observation! The pairing of childhood imagery with a call to save evokes a particular cultural narrative about delayed gratification and financial responsibility that became increasingly prominent in the latter half of the 20th century. Think about how advertising in this period, particularly geared toward children or families, began to weave together the ideas of happiness, consumption, and saving for the future. Do you see any visual cues here that reinforce this message? Editor: Well, Saint Nicholas, right? The bag of goodies and benevolent expression…it feels like he’s endorsing the *idea* of accumulating things, but in a way that seems virtuous because it's tied to Christmas giving and saving. Curator: Precisely! The figuration of Saint Nicholas serves as a culturally recognized symbol, almost an endorsement, of the capitalist principles the bank quietly promotes. How do you see the relationship between the manufacturer of this object and the potential consumer? Editor: I hadn’t really considered that. It almost feels like Reynolds Toys is leveraging St. Nicholas’s cultural cachet to gently introduce a commercial ideology. Is it overly cynical to see it as kind of...grooming kids for a life of saving and spending? Curator: It’s a valid perspective, and highlights the fascinating intersection of commercial interests and the perpetuation of cultural narratives. Toys often act as tools, shaping social norms, habits, and economic values. Ultimately, I wonder to what extent the object contributes to the blurring of lines between what it means to participate as an individual and to participate as a citizen within economic structures. Editor: This piece offers such a multifaceted perspective on contemporary social commentary and economic factors woven into simple imagery! Curator: Exactly. It illustrates how art objects, even seemingly innocent ones, can be valuable resources for exploring intricate layers of social and cultural constructs that touch us, whether as child consumers, artists, or critical viewers.