"Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900
Add to SetSummary
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
Artifact
Mechanical bank
Date Made
1886-1900
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, New York, Buffalo
Creator Notes
Designed and patented by Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams. Manufactured by Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York.
Keywords
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
38.309.33
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Susan Stebbins Stark.
Material
Cast Iron
Color
Red
Blue
White (Color)
Green
Dimensions
Height: 11.25 in
Width: 5 in
Length: 4 in
Inscriptions
Front of platform: UNCLE SAM Either side of platform: BANK Valise: U.S. On bottom: PAT. JUNE 8 1886
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