Saturday, August 23, 2014

Vintage Tin Can Planters {love!}

I'm loving this little pop of vintage happy on our kitchen window sill!

I'm thinking this may be the beginning of a collection. I planted herbs in these tins, but flowers or other greenery would look great too.



I chose these two tins because of their graphics, what they once held and their colors. 

They also have a great, slightly rusty, aged appearance.


I learned one way to tell the age of tins... If they have a five digit zip code (both of mine do), they were made in or after 1963. If there is a one or two digit number following the city name, they were from 1943-1963.


Interestingly, the one or two digit numbers were started during WWII when many postal clerks had gone into the service. The new, inexperienced postal workers were having trouble sorting the mail. The new "zone system" was created to help make things easier. The 5-digit zip codes we know today went into effect in 1963. 
ZIP stands for "Zone Improvement Plan." Who knew?!


And that's a wrap for today's history lesson! ;)

Enjoy the weekend!

xo

4 comments:

  1. Julie, I love the tins! I remember my mother and my grandmother planting ivy in tins and then setting them on the porch rails. I remember because when they moved them one year there were rusted circles left behind which are still there to this day! The history lesson was interesting! Found your blog from the Welcome Wagon on Cozy Little House.

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    1. Hi Lottie! Thank you for sharing this sweet memory. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  2. Thanks for the history on the tin cans. I'll have to check mine. Have a blessed evening.

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    1. Hi Sandy - thank you! Yes, and let me know if you find they are very old! Wouldn't that be fun?!

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