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Northwestern Model G Full Value stamp machine

Northwestern Corporation, Morris, IL, c. 1912, 8". This is one of the cutest little stamp machines you'll find. Introduced in 1912, it and its "Model A Profit" counterpart were the first postage stamp vendors made by Northwestern. Silent Salesmen Too claims that at the time there were very few stamp vendors because the U. S. Post Office didn't perforate stamps until the early 1920's. I don't know why a lack of perforation would preclude a stamp vendor---others existed that used razors to cut the stamps---but there may be more to this than I know.

The slanted top has 2 coin slots. The left slot says INSERT NICKEL HERE FOR ONE CENT STAMPS (just like that, too, ALL IN CAPS). The right slot says INSERT NICKEL HERE FOR TWO CENT STAMPS. Note that it doesn't say how many one or two cent stamps you'll get for your nickel, but my guess is 4 one-centers or 2 two-centers. Sure, it's only a penny profit, but think of it as 25% profit and it seems like more.

This example is 100% original. I "bought it now" from another collector on ebay, and had never seen one before. I was pleased when I got it. If it were a big machine it wouldn't appeal to me much, but at only 8" tall its a pretty diminuative piece and cuter than a bug's ear.