Cast Iron Mechanical Banks
By J. & E. Stevens Company
 
       If a seasoned collector of classic antiques ever brags too much, or complains too much, about prices current, it is good medicine to tell him that most antiques cannon compete with cast iron toy banks in value increase or collectors' enthusiasm. The story of these banks has been told exceedingly well * but here we shall deal with the banks made by only one company, The J. & E. Stevens Company, Cromwell, Connecticut, a branch of the Hardware & Woodenware Manufacturing Company of 693 Broadway, N. Y. This listing is from the Stevens records and is fully and completely documented. Those banks included in accompanying illustrations are so noted by an asterisk.
 
(1)   Lion Hunter Bank. 11" long, 7-1/2" high, 2-3/4" wide.
(2)   Funny Clown Bank. Tumbling Clown on Globe. 11" high, 5" wide.
(3)   Kicking Mule Bank. 10" long, 6-1/2" high.
(4)   Speaking Dog Bank. 7-3/4" long, 7-1/4" high.
(5)   Base Ball Bank. 10" long, 7-1/4" high, 2-2-3/4" wide.
(6)   Cabin Bank. 4-1/4" long, 3-5/8" high, 3" wide.
(7)   North Pole Bank. 5-3/8" high, 4" wide, 3" deep.
(8)   Bad Accident Bank. 10-1/2" long, 6-1/4" high, 3-1/2" wide.
(9)   Jolly Nigger Bank. 7"high, 5-1/2" wide, 4-1/2" deep.
(10)   Artillery Bank. 8" long, 6" high.
(11)   Eagle Bank. 8" long, 6" high, 4" wide.
(12)   Owl Bank. 7-1/2" high, 4" wide, 3" deep.
(13)   Little Fat Man Bank. (Tammany). 5-3/4" high, 4-1/2" deep, 3-1/4" wide.
(14)   * Bill E. Grin Bank. 4-5/8" high, 3-3/8" wide, 3-1/8" wide.
(15)   * Kodak Bank. 4-1/2" high, 5" wide, 2-7/8" deep. Box Camera form.
(16)   * Bear Hunt Bank. 10-1/2" long, 7-3/4" high, 3-1/4" wide.
(17)   * William Tell Bank. 10-1/2" long, 6-3/4" high, 3-3/4" wide.
(18)   * Teddy and the Bear Bank. 10-1/2" long, 9-1/2" high, 3" wide.
(19)   * Tree Bank. 8" high, 6" wide, 3-1/4" deep.
(20)   * Billy Goat Bank. 6" long, 3-1/2" high.
(21)   Indian Camp Bank. 10-1/4" long, 6" high, 4" wide.
(22)   * Foot Ball Bank. 7-1/2" long, 6-1/2" high, 4-7/8" deep.
(23)   * Clown and Harlequin Bank. 8" long, 7-1/8" high, 4-1/8" wide.
 
     The Clown & Harlequin (sometimes called Harlequin & Columbine) Bank is the most famous, rarest, and most desirable of all mechanical cast iron banks. At last reporting, its record price was in excess of its "weight worth" in pure gold. The bank weighs approximately 90 ounces. The reported selling price was $3,500. That makes it worth $38.88 an once. Gold is reported at $32 an onze. Here illustrated are examples of certain examples of the banks by the J. & E. Stevens Company.

* Handbook of Old Mechanical Penny Banks by Meyer.
 
Below, the Bank marked "Calamity" but featured by the makers as the Foot Ball Bank. To right top to bottom, The Bear Hunt Bank and the Teddy Bear Bank (often confused with each other when not pictured) and the Billy Goat Bank, Action of the various banks should be fairly clear to the observer. These pictures are from the catalog of the maker, itself a very rare item. The last one of record was offered by Mark Haber, the Bank Expert of Hartford, at around $75.00!