A Toy Bank Book Review

Thursday, October 27, 2016
Overcast and Rain
7 Celsius 44 Fahrenheit

A Toy Book Review

A History of Antique Mechanical Toy Banks

Penny Lane 

by Al Davidson

Publisher: Long's America

1987

   This is one of the few book reviews that I have done on this blog. As the title implies, the book has to do with the history of antique mechanical toy banks. There are 576 banks in the book.Each bank is identified by the manufacturer,  has an approximate date (circa), and an operation description as to how the bank works. There is also something titled "Variations", which describes different changes  to the use of different  parts, colour, or construction.  There is also something titled "Fragile Points". Fragile Points weaknesses in the actual toy construction. For exam,e, the legs of a toy frog might be mentioned. This would then alert a collector to weaknesses which might appear in this "fragile" our weak area of the toy. Also included is a "Rating" from 1-20, with one being very common and 20 being extremely rare.  The rarer the mechanical bank toy, the higher the price at auction or at an antiques dealer. After the double-digit rating, there is a rating of "rare". This title of "rare" means that very few of these banks exist, thus the term.

   If you do a search for this book, you will find many different results with many different prices. I purchased my book on Abe's Books for about $40.00 US plus $ 23.00 US for shipping. However, for those wanting a copy that is in mint condition, you might expect to pay anywhere from $100.00- $200.00 US plus shipping. I purchased the book in excellent condition but for a torn jacket cover. I'm using the book as a reference for future writing, and don;t need it as a collectible book.

  The pages and banks that I have selected correspond with the next post that I will write, based on the exact same or almost tsimilar banks from an upcoming Bertoia Auctions auction.

In the above bank called "Darktown Battery", there is also a copy of the 

original  diagram copyright for this toy. 

The "Trick Dog Bank", and the "Trick Dog"  are similar in design and look, but have 

variations that are written up. As well, one bank has a higher rarity rating than the other.

The lower left copyright diagram refers to the Punch and Judy Bank.

A page with 3 banks with 3 different ratings.

It's the "Boy Scout Bank" that I found on the Bertoia Auctions 

upcoming auction in November 2016.

The "Leap Fog Bank" is the bank set to be auctioned in November 2016.

As you can see, the book is quite interesting, well written , and  easy to read.

One more thing.

I wasn't able to find or contact either either the publisher (Long's Americana) or the Author  (Al Davidson) for written permission to use the photos and descriptions. THe publisher are the husband and wife who also wrote Dictionary of Toys Sold in America- Volumes I and II. Their names are Mr. Ernest Long and his wife, Mrs. Ida Long.

If anyone reads this post, and has any information where I might contact any of these 3 people, please feel free to write to me, at my e-mail address below my name (where I sign out at the bottom of this page). 

It's toysearcher@gmail.com.

 Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

Have a great part of gthe day or night,

Wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

Works of Art as Records of Americana

Tuesday, March 25, 2014
                 (Sunny and Cold)

Works of Arts as 

Records of Americana

   Yesterday, I posted about a few of Nathan Forman's 1930's Hubley Motorcycles. I wqas going to continue with that topic, but when I saw his listings for cast iron banks, I had to change today;s post. The great thing about being a writer and editor of a block is that you can change "the news"mod the day. I'm sure Nathan won't mind.

   Nathan is a successful seller on ebay and I would like to think that his excellent photography is part of this. Of course honest descriptions, handling customer's questions, and fast shipping are part and parcel of being a good businessman. when I returned to revisit Nathan after about 18 months, I was flower (in awe) of his great photography. Not only were his photos technically excellent, but his images were not LARGE, and able to be magnified. Not all sellers take the time or make the effort to present large-sized photos (free now on ebay  or use the magnification feature (I'm not sure if this is free or costs the seller). However, when you look at yesterday's cast iron motorcycles or today's fine cast iron bank, you can see the marvellous work that Nathan has captured with his photography.

   Many of the American cast iron companies started out as household hardware companies that produced door handles, door hinges, locks and so forth. They then started to produce cast iron toys, and also banks. What is interesting is that al of the companies could produce so many different items at this period in American history (1880-1940) and still compete among one another. The banks are interesting because there are so many different models. There is even an American association of cast iron banks that you can visit. I've written about them a long time ago. 

   There are 2 kids of cast iron banks. One is simply a bank whereby one adds money tint a slot. The other is called a mechanical bank. With these, a small lever is cocked  via a spring mechanism. THe coin is placed somewhere and when the lever is releases the coin is projected or "swallowed" in the vault area.A screwdriver  or a key would be needed to remove the screw or open the lock, in order to access the money.

Please click here to visit Nathan Forman's fine ebay store

Description

  Today's presentation is a J & E Stevens "Darktown Battery" Cast Iron Mechanical Bank produced starting in 1888.

"Made of cast iron and measuring 9 3/4" long and 7 1/4" high (248 mm x 148 mm), "Darktown Battery" mechanical bank was manufactured by the J. & E. Steven's Company in Cromwell, Connecticut. This example is in excellent all original condition with no restoration and no touch-up or repaint of any kind. The bank operates as follows: place a coin (penny) on the glove overlapping it a little bit towards, insert the coin, press down the lever in the back of the "catcher"; pitcher throw the coin, catcher moves his hand and head, chest opens, the coin inserts into the chest. Batter lists the bat and moves his head. This is an original bank and not a reproduction!!!!"*

*Description courtesy of Mr. Nathan Forman

  Notice the patina (hand-worn shine) to this fine piece.  A trio of Black-American baseball players are captured forever playing America's national sport. Battery park is in New York, and was originally a fort that was set up in the early colony periods to protect the settlers.

At the time when this item was produced, Black-Americans were called may bad names, and even toys were titled with what today would be considered very racist and derogatory. 

What you see when such great photos are taken is the fine detail and the bold paint colours (lead paint was used at the time). Also the poses, the expressions, and the bend of the batter's arms are all "classic" for baseball. Even the baseball caps are a fine detail of the times (1880's and later).

This particular bank happens to use a key to access the "savings". Notice also the marvellous floral detail at the bottom of this bank.

I like how the throwing arm is enlarged in order to be able to hold the penny.

 Notice the round plate where the catcher's stomach is. That's where the penny would fall into the holding area of the bank.  What's also interesting, is that Nathan had to spend some time in order to both capture the plate, as well as the face of the catcher, so that the batter's arm would not block the face.

Thois photo shows you the opening where the penny would fall into the "vault". What's also interesting is how the catcher's mitt hand (right) was cast into the upper right thigh of the batter, rather than cast separate.

 In this close-up, you can see the spaces between the arms and the shoulders. These are moveable parts that were described in the written description above.

Notice the  upper arm and shoulder spacing again.

The small screw in the back of the batter was used to open and close the 2 halves of the batter. Many cast iron toys were cast in halved (left and right, front and back,or top and bottom). In this case front and back. This would allow the the moving parts to be inserted into the upper torso, then closed with the screw.

Just one final comment - Most cast iron banks would have had to be hand-painted. This particular bank is exemplary in how many different colours were used to paint this marvellous piece. Now if Canada still had pennies, I might buy such a bank. Of course, America still has their penny, of course!

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always, 

have a great part of the day or night, 

wherever you may be,

Stacey.

Please feel free to write to me anytime at:

toysearcher@gmail.com