Heritage State Promotional Charm Bracelets
In the 1960s, the Heritage Company produced a line of state theme charm bracelets that were used as promotional giveaways that banks gave their customers when they made deposits into an account. Each time a customer made a deposit they were awarded either a starter bracelet or a charm to add to it. I’m not sure how many state themes were produced, it’s likely a function of where the banks were located. I know the collections include Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, I’ve got complete examples of Michigan and Indiana so I thought I’d share them here with you. Notice that both sides of the charms are detailed – one side with a visual and the other with the name of the attraction related to that state. And each bracelet also has a stone or vial of sand representing the state. The charms are stamped with the Heritage hallmark which is a bell with a letter H inside. There are still quite a few of these bracelets that can be found completely in tact and are a collectible part of marketing history and also a charming addition to a bracelet collection.
Filed Under: All About Old Jewelry • Private Jewelry Collection
About the Author: Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.
Thanks so much for this information. I bought a Michigan bracelet from Ruby Lane & was THRILLED to find the information you had on your website. Especially because I’m a librarian I love when someone provides information I would be unable to find otherwise.
Thanks again,
Lucinda