"Punch and Judy Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1884-1895

01

Artifact Overview

Punch and Judy puppet shows -- portable and easy to stage on a street corner, in a park, or as part of a traveling circus -- attracted Americans of all ages during the 1800s. "Bad boy" Punch always managed to get away with mischief -- much to the delight of his audience. Punch & Judy even inspired toy versions of themselves.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Mechanical bank

Date Made

1884-1895

Creator Notes

Patented by Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams, Buffalo, New York. Manufactured by Shepard Hardware Co., Buffalo, New York.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

38.309.30

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Susan Stebbins Stark.

Material

Cast iron

Color

Red
Yellow (Color)
Blue

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in
Width: 6.25 in
Length: 4 in

Inscriptions

On front above curtain: PUNCH AND JUDY BANK On bottom: BUFFALO, NY - U.S.A. / PATD IN U.S. JULY 15 `84 / AND JULY 22 `84 / RD IN ENGLAND. / NO 10423
"Punch and Judy Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1884-1895