A wonderful piece of mid-century American hardware history. This is an original unopened set of four Roll-A-Glide Ball Bearing Casters still mounted on their colorful factory display card. The period graphics are fantastic, from the bold typography and cartoon hammer to the "Hammer like a nail" slogan and original 39¢ retail price sticker. Intended for chairs, tables, desks, and even the new television consoles that were transforming American living rooms, this little package captures the optimism and practical ingenuity of postwar America. An outstanding display piece for collectors of vintage hardware, general store advertising, or mid-century décor.

This is a neat survivor. While the casters themselves are common mid-century hardware, the complete original retail display card is what elevates it.

Roll-A-Glide Ball Bearing Casters

Estimated Date: c. 1948–1958 (most likely early-1950s)

A complete retail blister-style display containing:

  • Four nickel-plated nail-on ball bearing furniture casters
  • Original printed display card
  • Original hanging header
  • Original 39¢ price sticker ("Plus Tax if Applicable")
  • Unused old stock (NOS)

The graphics are quintessential postwar American hardware advertising:

  • Bold black typography
  • Friendly hand-lettered slogans
  • Cartoon-style hammer illustration
  • "Roll it!"
  • "Easy to apply — Just nail on"

These marketing pieces were designed to hang in neighborhood hardware stores and five-and-dime stores.

Dating Clues

Several features point to the early 1950s:

  • 39¢ retail price fits the period well.
  • The mention of TV Sets on the back is especially helpful. Television ownership exploded after WWII, and manufacturers quickly began marketing furniture accessories for TV cabinets.
  • "Nickel Plated" was still a desirable selling point before chrome largely dominated consumer marketing.
  • The kraft cardboard packaging and bold black printing are classic late-1940s/1950s retail design.

I'd comfortably date it to 1950–1955, give or take a couple of years.

Interesting Historical Detail

Furniture ball casters became extremely popular after WWII because Americans were buying:

  • Television consoles
  • Hi-fi cabinets
  • Record players
  • Sewing machines
  • Coffee tables
  • Dinette sets

Wall-to-wall carpeting was becoming common, and homeowners wanted furniture that could be moved without scratching newly finished hardwood floors.

These little ball casters were sold as an inexpensive upgrade that anyone could install in a few minutes.

Packaging

The packaging is arguably more collectible than the hardware itself.

Highlights include:

  • Wonderful period typography
  • Humorous "Hammer like a nail" instruction
  • Original retail price
  • Usage suggestions including TV sets
  • Complete hanging display
  • Bright unfaded graphics

Collectors of hardware store advertising often buy these simply for display.

Condition

Overall I'd call this:

Very Good to Excellent NOS condition

Pros:

  • Complete with all four original casters
  • Card remains structurally sound
  • Strong graphics
  • Original price sticker
  • No evidence the casters were ever installed
  • Nickel plating remains bright  (a few have some tiny patches of cosmetic rust)

Minor flaws:

  • Light age toning
  • Corner creases
  • Small edge wear
  • Tiny tear at the right edge
  • Typical shelf wear from decades of storage

Nothing unusual for a 70+ year-old store display.