Magician Bank, 1901-1920
01
Artifact Overview
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms, such as this magician. When the lever on the step is depressed, a coin placed on the table "disappears" under the table while the magician lowers his hat over the coin and nods his head.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Mechanical bank
Date Made
1901-1920
Creator Notes
Mechanism and design patents by William Bull and Charles Bailey of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured by J. & E. Stevens Company, Cromwell, Connecticut.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
38.309.28
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Susan Stebbins Stark.
Material
Cast iron
Color
Red
Yellow (Color)
Blue
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 8.25 in
Width: 7 in
Length: 4 in
Inscriptions
On front and back of platform: MAGICIAN BANK
On bottom of platform: AND PENDING / PATD JAN 22 1901
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