Well its been some time since we have gotten up to date on recent and near recent activity in the field of mechanical banks. So at this point we are going to become more current with some of the interesting things that have been happening.

For one thing we still hear how hard it is to find mechanical banks and collectors complaining that "they just aren’t around any more." This sure wasn’t the case at the recent toy affair held in the International Hotel ballroom, Kennedy Airport. The place was packed with both exhibitors and collectors, and a lot of business was being done in buying, selling and trading. There really were a lot of mechanical banks for sale throughout the place, and such dealers as John Haley from England and Bob McCumber had some fine mechanicals for sale. John had a wide range from somewhat common to rare in the bank line and some fine toys, particularly in the Mickey Mouse category. Frank Whitson, as well as Lloyd Ralston, had excellent displays of banks and toys, and the same can be said for Joe Olimpio, Jim Maxwell, and Mark Suozzi. We certainly do not intend to leave anyone out, but we can’t cover everyone in the show, sufficient to say there were others with mechanical banks, so there wasn’t any lack of banks at the International Hotel show in both mechanicals and stills.

There were good to fine toys in a wide range of both tin and cast iron. In the battery operated category John O’Connor really had an outstanding display, most of which were in the original boxes. And, of course, the Sadagursky’s and Jean Pacente had their usual quality displays, including some battery operated toys. Battery operated banks were also on tap here and there, and Sid Lehrer had his usual interesting display of toys and unusual items. So much for the International show at this time.

A little while back Steve Steckbeck came up with a Winner Savings Bank in real fine condition. This is a tough tin bank to come by and not many are around. Then at the recent Mechanical Bank Club convention Oliver Clark obtained a Giant In Tower (a tough one), Lion Hunter, Dentist, and a Cupola bank. That’s quite a haul in a couple of days time. Oliver, by the way, has a new weekly TV series. ‘We’ve Got Each Other’, and one of the recent segments had to do with finding a rare mechanical bank and selling it for quite a sum of money. If you didn’t catch the program first time around perhaps it will be repeated.

Al Davidson obtained a nice Watch Dog Savings Bank, and shortly after another one turned up. Believe it or not out of four known Watch Dog Banks, there are three varieties. Three of the banks have the same type dog as shown in the recent Hobbies article (June 1977), and the other one has the larger dog.

Bob McCumber is certainly to be congratulated. He recently obtained a fine all original Sewing Machine Bank. It has the name American Bank in the desirable raised letters and excellent paint with stenciling in fine condition. Following right on the heels of this rare acquisition would you believe it he has found a Target Bank, all original with no repairs or missing parts and in good paint. This makes the fourth one known to exist and the second that is all complete. The patent date of March 20, 1877 is inscribed on the bottom plate, so this bank is now in the 100 year category. Inside Bob’s bank the front plate with the name thereon has inscribed ‘PATd APPLD FOR’. It is of interest and possibly unique with the Target Bank to have an inscription inside the bank as to a patent being applied for and then on the base plate date of the patent after issue. The writer knows of no other bank with this double type of wording.

Then to sort of wind things up for now, there is a Flip The Frog Bank floating around (second one known), an African Native Bank, and a possible new find, the Automatic Savings Bank. All these banks are tin and when we have more information and the circumstances surrounding the three banks we will pass it along.

Shown is the cover of the important Alfred C. Rex Company catalog inadvertently omitted from the October 1977 article.

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