Book of Knowledge Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank

Authentic replica of a popular 19^th century cast iron mechanical bank,

circa 1960s by The Book of Knowledge.

     This bank is in good working order and the paint is bright and generally well preserved, but partially worn through on the top of the coin box.  It is missing Sam’s green umbrella; and the original cast metal door for the coin access opening in the bottom of the base has been replaced with a rubber plug. 

THIS IS NOT a Made in China reproduction

or similar import as seen on the market in recent years.

Shipping weight: 5 lb. 7 oz.

            I currently have another Book of Knowledge Uncle Sam Mechanical Bank for sale in my online eBay store  (click red store icon on this page).  That bank is complete with the green umbrella in Uncle Sam’s left hand, and the original cast metal door for the coin access opening.

FOR THE INTERESTED COLLECTOR, HERE IS A BIT OF HISTORY:

            The following is from an article found on the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America website, http://www.mechanicalbanks.org/scrapbook/1960s/pages/1967_uncle_sam.htm, written by Emma Stiles, originally published in Spinning Wheel Magazine in 1967:

            The [original] Uncle Sam mechanical bank was made by the Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York, in 1886.   . . . . 

            Made of cast iron, and standing 11-1/2 inches high, it has been hand painted with bright colors. Uncle Sam has a ruddy pink face, long white hair that falls to his shoulders, and a beard that extends to the first button on his blue star-spangled vest. Red and white striped trousers, a dark blue frock coat, red and white striped bow tie, and a gray top hat with blue band decorated with silver stars completes his costume.

            Also on the MBCA website, in a 1960 letter by the Grolier Company, publisher of  The Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia, the company explained how these reproductions are true to the 19^th century originals:

. . . .  Enclosed is some information about antique mechanical coin banks.  As you will see, on page 2, The Book of Knowledge reproductions are just like the originals because the exact same procedure as used in casting the originals is followed. The master molds have been made from our original antiques.   And . . . each sand mold is used but once.  . . . .

Some Facts About Antique American Mechanical Coin Banks

        During the latter part of the 1800s, cast iron mechanical coin banks were a common sight in the American home. During these years, hundreds of different designs were manufactured and sold.

      The theory of these ingenious coin banks was a practical one - teach the children the habit of regular thrift by making saving fun. Most of these early American mechanical banks were humorous in design. "Slapstick" was the basis of many. Thus were created such "humorous" activities as a cow kicking over a bucket of milk, a donkey kicking over a boy - a small boy butted by a buffalo.

        . . . .

        Then, as now, soldiers, guns and cannon intrigued young Americans. Thus we have banks such as the Creedmore, where a soldier shoots the coin into a tree; the Artillery Bank, where the coin is shot from a mortar into a fort; the William Tell Bank, where the coin shoots an iron apple from William Tell’s cast iron son’s head. And many, many similar others. Some of these antique banks were souvenirs of happenings and events. Thus the "Independence Hall Bank" commemorated the 100^th anniversary of Independence Day and the "Worlds Fair Bank" commemorated the Colombian World’s Exposition of 1893.

        . . . .   The processes used, of course, were entirely by hand. First the ingenious mechanism was carefully worked out. Then the design was sculptured in clay and cast in a brass master. Sand molds were made of these brass masters - and castings were made of hand-poured molten iron. Each time a casting was made, the sand mold was destroyed in the process and a new one was made. The castings were then assembled (some of the banks contained 31 separate parts) by hand. They were then hand filed and carefully and beautifully hand painted.

        A slow and laborious procedure, but what was time in those old days? With only minor deviations, this exact procedure has been followed in the production of the Book of Knowledge Antique American Coin Bank replicas. Master molds have been exactly made from the original antiques in the Book of Knowledge collection. These masters, however, are now made of aluminum instead of brass.

        Now, as in yesteryear, sand molds are made of the master and the molten iron is hand poured into them. Now, as then, each sand mold is used but once - it is destroyed in the casting and a new one is then made from the master.

        Assembling and decoration is done by hand too. Thus, the Book of Knowledge reproductions not only look like the originals - they are like the originals. It is this meticulous care, this attention to detail in product and procedure which limits the production of these antique replicas - and consequently, is the reason why so few can be made available.

        To further illustrate this attention to detail, the foundry which is creating these coin bank reproductions is the old Pennsylvania foundry which actually manufactured some of the original antiques. Generations of skill and know-how are the "priceless ingredients" of these 19^th century coin bank replicas.

        As stated in the Certificate of Authenticity, these are more than merely coin banks – more than merely interesting toys. They are replicas of products of American skill, ingenuity and craftsmanship. They are indeed collector’s items with historic interest and value. They should be treasured.

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International Bidders: Items having a final value of $50.00 USD or less will be shipped to addresses in the United States only.  On higher value items,  international payment and shipping arrangements sometimes become complicated; so we ask that foreign bidders be prepared to pay for their purchase by PayPal if successful, and that they contact us before the auction closes to confirm payment and shipping arrangements.  Unless other arrangements are agreed to before the auction ends, a handling surcharge of $15.00 USD will be added to items shipped outside the United States.  Where applicable, tariff, duty or import charges are the buyer’s responsibility in addition to shipping and handling charges.