Tuesday, March 25, 2014
(Sunny and Cold)
(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.
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
Have you ever come across any articles and pictures from the early days of someone making the casts, assembling them and painting them? Would love to see how it was done many years ago.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI can;t say I have. However, I have seen moulds (casts) being offered for sale, as well as entires plates of unfinished cast iron wheels being sold. These wheels came straight out of the mould, and were still attached altogether through the flow of the liquid iron.