This is a cast iron working Teddy and the Bear mechanical bank from the late 1800s, early 1900s. Gun coin holder slides back and locks as Teddy leans forward to firing position. Lever below Teddy pulls back to launch the coin into the tree stump. Angry looking bear pops out immediately. After coin is deposited the bears head can be easily pushed back in and clicks down holding the head in securely.  Then the coin holder on the gun can be pulled back to firing position ready for another coin. Genuine old paint. The round piece that keeps the coins in at the bottom is missing. See photo.  There is no makers mark on the outside but the patent wording molded in on the bottom says Patd Apld For.  The letter "d" is lifted above the rest of the word in the late 18th century style in both words.  The versions of this bank in the reference book I use, are all patented in 1907. There are two versions. One has Teddy Roosevelt in a flat hat and that one is listed at $20,000 plus with over 90% paint.  This is the second version with the rounded hat and this one is listed at $3,500 with 90% paint and $12,000 with 98% paint.   This one has at least 90% paint.  I have placed a reserve of  only $900.  The paint losses on the bank are on the title, the top of the gun and some small amounts along the sides, and under the lid to the tree which is painted silver, with some paint loss the size of several grains of rice, to Teddy's jacket on the reverse and other tiny areas shown in photos.  According to the reference, this style bank was patented in February of 1907. It was designed by a Charles A. Bailey of Cobalt, CT. It was manufactured ty the J. & E. Stevens Col, Cromwell, CT.  So this is an earlier version of a patented item. Sometimes with collectible items, that makes them more valuable.  This bank fills the three Antiques Road Show criteria for an authentic bank: smooth surface and paint, no large gaps between sections, and wording on the bottom.

This is the first bank of a family collection made prior to 1975 and given to me in 1990 by my Father for safekeeping when he became ill.  I have carried these with me wherever I lived but it is time for me to downsize also. After watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow that showed how to tell an antique bank from a reproduction, I became confident that these were indeed originals.  The criteria were, a makers mark and date, no large gaps between working parts or molded sections and smooth surface due to the use of finer, more expensive sand during sand casting. Later reproductions used coarse sand and have a rough lumpier surface according to the Road Show expert.  All the banks that fit two or more of these criteria will be offered for sale.  The banks that will be coming up for sale include: William Tell, Teddy and the Bear, 'Spise a Mule, Bad Accident, Frog on Stump, Novelty Bank Building, Clown on Ball (rotates, working well),  Independence Hall (missing base),  Tammany, Owl with Rotating Head, Safe Bank, and two small still banks of buildings, and one small elephant.  The reference book that I am using for identifying the mechanical banks is Official Price Guide to Mechanical Banks by Dan Morphy.  I am not expecting to get his pricing and will have reasonable reserves and will tell what the reserve is. 

If you do not like a bank after your receive it, please return it for a full refund given in a friendly manner,  plus shipping both ways plus insurance if purchased.  Bidders in U.K. or Canada must use PayPal and wait for a shipping quote.  I will pay part of shipping. These things are heavy!   Happy bidding!