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shop n add pic wm sm

The Giftcraft Shop-N-Add is the first of a small number of three digit dial-adders that were popular for a short time in the late 1950’s.  These were marketed almost exclusively towards women since, I assume, men never go shopping.  This is a “handbag accessory” adding machine that can help “her” track grocery items and its “purse size” makes it easy to carry.  Although, to be fair, it was also stated that this would be useful for students.

The Shop-N-Add is a basic three dial adder with automatic carry.  Subtraction can be done on this by simply turning the dials counter-clockwise but complements aren’t posted on the face.  When sold, this came as part of a set that included a Shopping Index that was cleverly designed with most common grocery items so that you could easily track what you needed.

shop n add grocery list pic wm sm

Shopping Index

The Shop-N-Add and the Shopping Index were both made from pressed steel.  They came in two colors, black and gold (see photos above).  The Shop-N-Add measures 2.7 inches in length by 1.9 inches wide by 0.3 inches in height and weighs 2 ounces with the stylus included.

The set of the adder and index was advertised from 1955 to 1957.  By 1957 you see it mostly being offered as a clearance item.  The Shopping Index was sold separately though from 1954.

1955 Oct Green Bay Press Gazette ad wm sm

1955 Newspaper Ad

This type of adder was popular for a short time.  By the 1960’s you start seeing plastic manual adding machines that can be used with one hand and these ended up dominating the market for some time.  However, if you’re a collector of mechanical calculators and adding machines this is really a must-have.

Patent and Other Information:

Notes:

  1. Macy’s, (1954, November 22), advertisement, San Francisco Examiner, page 15
  2. Jones, (1954, December 8), advertisement, The Kansas City Times, page 7
  3. Pah-low’s, (1955, October 12), advertisement, The Green Bay Press Gazette, page 2
  4. S-Silver, (1955, November 30), advertisement, The Bridgeport Telegram, page 12
  5. Grozow’s, (1955, December 12), advertisement, The Kansas City Times, page 8
  6. Pah-low’s, (1956, July 12), advertisement, The Green Bay Press Gazette, page 2
  7. Dayton’s, (1956, November 25), advertisement, Star Tribune, page 5
  8. Pah-low’s, (1955, October 12), advertisement, The Green Bay Press Gazette, page 2
  9. Dayton’s, (1957, August 8), advertisement, The Minneapolis Star, page 2B

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