"William Tell" Mechanical Bank, 1896-1930

01

Artifact Overview

When William Tell's right foot is pressed, the coin shoots into the castle, knocking the apple off the boy's head. The bank is based on the legendary story of the Swiss patriot who was ordered to shoot an apple off his small son's head.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Mechanical bank

Date Made

1896-1930

Creator Notes

Patented by Russell Frisbie and manufactured by J. & E. Stevens Company, Cromwell, Connecticut.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

32.265.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cast iron

Color

Green
Brown
Blue
Red
Yellow (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 6.75 in
Width: 4.5 in
Length: 10.5 in

Inscriptions

Bottom: PATENTED JUNE 23 1896
"William Tell" Mechanical Bank, 1896-1930