Dallas Auction Gallery - Antique Mechanical Banks

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Dallas Auction Gallery

Antique Mechanical Banks

   While I was writing my post this week about Opamerica's Mechanical Banks, I had already sent an e-mail to another seller - Dallas Auction Gallery. I had visited Liveauctioneers earlier in the week to search out a topic, and I decided to write again about mechanical banks.

   For those who don't know, there are 2 types of antique toy banks that normally are mentioned . A still bank is one that simply has a slot to which money is added and collected. Of course, it's design can be an animal, or human character, or even a building. A mechanical bank also has a similar design in terms of how it looks, however it has  a series of movements that allows it to take the coin, go through a one or more movements, and then the coin"disappears" into the vault part of the bank. 

    Most of the time, most auctioneers or sellers will present a few photos and add an explanation as to what mechanical series of movements will allow for the coin to be deposited into the "vault"  or collection portion of the bank. However, most of the time, there are photos only. Also, it's much more difficult to explanation by wring about the mechanics.

     What initially caught my eye about Dallas Auction Gallery was their  fine photography. However,when I clicked on the first icon image of their mechanical banks, I was surprised to see 8 other photos.  What they had done is not only present the item from many its' any different sides, but they also presented the movement  in a series of photos that showed the viewer how the toy "performed".  So now, myself,and everyone else, could actually understand the movements of some of the harder-to-understand banks!

Please click on this sentence to be redirected to the Dallas Auction Gallery's fine website

"ABOUT THE GALLERY

Dallas Auction Gallery, founded in 2002 by the Shuford family of Dallas, has developed a world-wide reputation for auctioning the best in antiques, fine art, and Asian antiquities. The gallery features only the highest quality while providing impeccable client service. Dallas Auction Gallery is known internationally for integrity, straightforwardness, and personal service for both the buyer and seller. Our technology allows us to market items in a global environment, thus reaching a larger marketplace and maximizing values.

Visit our gallery in Dallas and attend an auction in person, or view us on the web. Talk to an auction specialist about the items and the auction process. Come see the very best in Fine Art, Contemporary Art, Western Art, Decorative Arts, Sculpture, Porcelains, Art Glass, Antique Silver, Clocks, Asian Art & Antiquities, Fine Estate Jewelry, French, Continental and American antique furniture, and much more."*

* Introduction courtesy of Dallas Auction Gallery

Notice the professional photography. Also, please don't forget  that you can double-click on any image to view its larger size. I can;t present the larger size in the format of the blog,but Blogger allows you to view these images as a slide show. In that capacity you can view larger sizes of photographs. There you will see the fine details of these true antique mechanical banks.

For myself, I'm amazed at how many of these cast iron banks were made way back then. Also,there were lots of companies who made these banks. Consequently there is a large diversity of these toys still around. Moreover, there is even a site on the web dedicated to people who collect these fine antiques - www.mechanical banks.org

For this bank, I think that a coin is placed between the young boy's  "bottom" and his feet. As the mule kick's up, the coin slides into a small slot and disappears.

You can easily see where the coin goes into the vault. I also think that the back clown juggling the ball on his soles (feet) does something. Notice the metal pin that runs through his hips. It's always great to see large-sized images as that affords the viewer the ability to see detail.

There is one  very important fact to always be aware of when buying antique toys, and this is especially true for antique banks. The patents of these fine toys has long since expired. In other cases, the company long ago closed, or there aren't any new owners of the company or the old plans, moulds, or patents. 

As such, there are many new "reproductions". Even long ago, "forgeries and fakes were produced. Because of this, you have to be very careful. It's always best to deal with an honourable and known seller, or auction house, otherwise you may get "fleeced" buying a $ 15.00 reproduction or fake, and paying lots of "coin".

   

This is the Teddy Roosevelt mechanical bank by the J.& E. Stevens Co. - one of the more interesting presidents in American history.  What would help date the toy is the actual time of when President Roosevelt was the president (1901-1909). 

Certainly a colourful and interesting bank.

It's easy to know how this bank works!

There's certainly lots of action for this mechanical bank.

I can't figure out where the money would go, but I have a feeling that the money went into the cavity of the cow's body.

If I had been taken by my parents to pick a mechanical bank toy, I'd have spent lots of time figuring out which one to get. I know that for a fact, because I purchase an inexpensive one a few years ago. The hardware store (of all places) had only 6, but it took me 20 minutes, and I was 58 at the time!

Imagine if I had been 5 years old and there were 30 to choose from!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day,
wherever you may be.
Stacey