Vintage Key Tag – Drop in Nearest Mail Box, Grand Central N.Y.C. P.O. Box 474
Vintage Key Tag – Drop in Nearest Mail Box, Grand Central N.Y.C. P.O. Box 474
Free shipping worldwide · Import duties, if any, are paid by the buyer
- Free tracked shipping — already included in the price
- Ships within 1–2 business days
- Tracked parcel from Ukraine (Ukrposhta)
- 30-day returns (buyer pays return shipping)
- Secure checkout · payments processed by Western Bid (US)
- One of a kind: only one available
About this piece
Vintage key tag with a raised U.S. mail box: return to Grand Central P.O. Box 474, N.Y.C. 17, from the pre-ZIP code era. Ships worldwide with tracking.
From the seller's notes
This vintage key tag is a classic piece of Americana: an oval metal "return to owner" fob with a raised U.S. mail box on the front and the instruction "If key is carried away drop in nearest mail box." The reverse carries the return address of the original owner at the Grand Central post office in New York City.
Item Details
- Type: Key fob / key tag
- Front: Raised mail box relief with "If key is carried away drop in nearest mail box"
- Reverse: "Return to Grand Central P.O. Box No. 474 N.Y.C. 17 – Postage Guaranteed"
- Theme: Postal service / New York City / Grand Central
- Material: Mixed metal (likely brass or nickel-plated bronze)
- Shape: Oval with decorative border
- Origin: USA (New York City)
- Era: Circa 1940s–1960s
Condition
Good vintage condition with a natural patina. The text and the mail box image are crisp and clearly legible. There is some minor surface wear and oxidation consistent with age. Please see the photos for a detailed look.
About This Piece
Key tags like this let anyone who found lost keys simply drop them in a mailbox, with postage guaranteed, so they could be returned to the owner through a post office box. The "N.Y.C. 17" postal zone on the reverse suggests the tag dates from about the 1940s to the early 1960s, before ZIP codes were introduced in 1963. It is an appealing collectible for anyone interested in postal history, New York City memorabilia or vintage everyday carry items.
Shipping
Carefully packed and shipped worldwide from Ukraine with a tracking number. Delivery to the USA typically takes 2–4 weeks.
Worldwide shipping from Ukraine. Every order is carefully packed — fragile items are packed separately — and shipped via Ukrposhta with a tracking number.
- Worldwide delivery: typically 2–4 weeks
- Package tracking is included when offered by the carrier
For returns, see the Return Policy tab.
Returns & Refunds
I want you to be happy with every piece you buy from Soviet Vintage Store. If something is not right, you can return it within 30 days of delivery.
How to return an item
- Email me at vladimirchuprina1971@gmail.com or message me on WhatsApp (+380 50 258 5695) within 30 days of delivery. Please include your order number and the reason for the return.
- I will confirm the return and reply with instructions. Items sent back without contacting me first cannot be accepted.
- The item must be returned in the same condition you received it, with all parts, accessories and original packaging that came with it.
- Return shipping is paid by the buyer. Please use a tracked shipping service and pack the item carefully — vintage pieces are fragile, and I can't refund items damaged on the way back.
Return address
Soviet Vintage Store
Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 51453, Ukraine
(I will confirm the full address and recipient name by email when your return is approved.)
Damaged or not as described
Please inspect your order when it arrives. If an item arrives damaged or is significantly different from its description, contact me within 30 days of delivery with photos of the item and the packaging, and we will agree on a fair solution — a refund, a partial refund or a return.
Refunds
Once I receive and inspect the returned item, I will let you know whether the refund is approved. Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 10 business days. Your bank or card company may need extra time to post the refund. The original shipping was free, so there is nothing to deduct for it; import duties or taxes you paid in your country are not refundable by me.
Exchanges
Most items are one of a kind, so exchanges usually aren't possible. Return the item for a refund and place a new order for the piece you want.
Payments in this store are processed by Western Bid, Inc. (see our Terms of Service). Questions about a return? Write to me any time: vladimirchuprina1971@gmail.com.
Original Soviet object
Authentic item from the USSR period, not a reproduction.
Honest condition
Wear, marks and working status are described, not hidden.
Photographed as is
What you see in the photos is exactly what you receive.
Packed with care
Fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed separately.
Tracked shipping
Free tracked shipping from Ukraine. Dispatched within 1–2 business days.
30-day returns
Return within 30 days of delivery; the buyer pays return shipping.
Original Soviet objects · Described honestly
Condition guide
- New old stockUnused, from old warehouse stock
- ✓ Used vintageThis item
- As-is / for partsSold untested or not working
Care & handling
- Dust with a soft dry cloth.
- Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners on original finishes.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture.
- Handle with care — it has already survived decades.
Frequently asked questions
Is this item authentic?
Yes. I sell original vintage items, not reproductions. If an item's age or origin is uncertain, I say so clearly in the description.
How is the item packed?
I pack every item myself. Fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed separately.
How long does shipping to the US take?
Shipping is free — it is included in the price. I dispatch within 1–2 business days from Ukraine via Ukrposhta with a tracking number; delivery to the US typically takes 2–4 weeks. Import duties, if any, are paid by the buyer.
Can I return the item?
Yes. You can return an item within 30 days of delivery; the buyer pays return shipping. Contact me first and I will send the return details. See the Refund Policy for details.
Can I make an offer?
Yes — use the “Make an offer” link next to the price. If I accept, you'll receive a secure checkout link at the agreed price.