You Can Bank On It!

Friday, January 31,2014
             (Cloudy and Mild)

You Can Bank On It!

   I'm quite fortunate to have such great resources as Morphy Auctions.  With their many auctions throughout the year, I can periodically visit their website and see what will be up for auction. When I went there today, I set the search condition for bidding from highest to lowest, and found 4 cast iron mechanical banks. So far, in writing about toys, I've seen seen just one of the four bans below (the lady feeding her baby), so it's always great to be able to add new material to a post.

  Once upon a time, mechanical banks were quite popular, and many people had them. A mechanical bank is one whereby you cock a movement and set the trigger. You then place a coin on some part of the mechanism that will move the coin into a hole and deposit the coin into the storage area of the bank. Mechanical banks are very collectible items, and there is even an antique mechanical bank association dedicated to their discussion and presentation of the thousands of different designs and many companies that manufactured these in the USA.

 Please click here to visit Morphy Auction's fine website

 J & E Stevens Co., Designed by James H. Bowen, Circa 1907. "To operate bring figures with upraised hand half way round to position. Place coin in slot and press lever. Minor touch up at screw on the back of the clown. This bank possibly finest example known.
Condition (Near Mint Plus). Size 8" L.*

* Description Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Length: 203mm

Grey Unknown Manufacturer, Designed by Samuel Clark, Brooklyn, New York, Patented 3/20/1877. "Pull back the ring until the rod is held in position by the lever. Tip the Bank, lay the coin on the target and drop the shot in the cannon. The shot generally follows the coin into the bank and escapes out the perforated bottom. The coin placed in the position forms the target. The ball projected by a spring strikes the coin placed in position forms the target. The ball projected by a spring strikes the coin with sufficient force to carry it into the bank. A percussion wafer can be used to add to the amusement, and will encourage saving money." Tiny area of touch up to the strips on the bottom left of flag. This bank possibly finest example known.
Condition (Near Mint Plus). Size 7 - 1/4" L.*

* Description Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Length: 184mm

Grey, J & E Stevens Co., Designed by James H. Bowen, Patented 4/21/1891. "Place a coin in front of the mouse over the cat. Press the lever, and as the coin disappears into the bank, the kitten, in fancy dress, appears, turning a somersault, holding the mouse and ball." Minor crack on base. This is a beautiful example. One of the best examples known.
Condition (Near Mint) Plus. Size 11 - 1/2" T.*

* Description Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Length: 317mm

(Light Brown-Rare). Kyser and Rex Co., by Alfred C. Rex, Patented 10/21/1884. "Place a coin n the slot on the mammy's apron and baby, her head lowers, the baby's legs rise, and the coin falls into the bank. The coin may also be deposited directly into the bank by placing it into the baby's mouth. (Resting the coin on spoon does not cause it to fall into the baby's mouth when the is operated.)" The spoon and trap 100% original.
Condition (Near Mint). Size 7 - 3/4" T.*

* Description Courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Length: 197mm

   When I first saw these mechanical banks, I thought that they were larger, but they aren't. I have a"reproduction" bank  and it's also small. However it can probably hold 200 nickels, dimes, and quarters. We don't have pennies anymore in Canada since the government decided they were too expensive to produce, and nobody (I did) wanted them. I still have pennies all over the house, and perhaps I should keep them in my bank!  I wonder what will happen to all of the expressions with the word penny in them?

A Penny for Your Thoughts?

Thanks for visiting,

and have a great part of the day,

wherever you may be.

Stacey

you can write to me anytime at toysearcher@gmail.com