Rewarding Stamps

The Merchants Trading Stamp Company (1913-1933) was located at 120 Bedford Street in Fall River for the majority of its existence. It originally opened for business at 142 Bedford Street where it remained, for two years, until 1915. In 1933 they relocated, for the final time, to 392 Spring Street before closing permanently.

In the first photo, goods that one could acquire in exchange for stamps can be seen; decorative lights, cut glass, and china figurines. The second photograph shows a man posing next to a briefcase whilst displaying a stamp book. It is possible the photograph depicts store manager James Pierce Mooney (1882-1951). Both images are undated, however, based on the clothing, these date to the late-nineteen teens and early-nineteen twenties.

Trading Stamps were a rewards program that began in the nineteenth century. In Fall River, the first trading stamp company that was listed in the city directory, was Sperry and Hutchinson (1905-1983), more commonly referred to as S&H Green Stamps. Trading stamps would be collected at various stores when making a purchase and could then be redeemed at participating trading stamp locations for select products.

Though trading stamps faded out of popularity by the 1980’s we are now using a similar system in the form of “Royalty” or “Rewards Program” cards.

I will admit, the idea of collecting stamps at a store like one collects tickets at an arcade to later redeem for a prize seems exciting. Yet, the convenience of a card is a bit more sensible.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.