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Great Americana Cast Iron Bank - for Sale a True original. Pat Jan 23 1883 as shown in picture8 1/4\"L X 5 1/2\" H X 4 1/4\" WWeighs 2 Lbs. 14 Oz.Has broken off left wing, but does not affect mechanism and works well. Still a very nice piece on it\'s own or use for parts.Not cleaned as to not affect patina.
The Eagle and Eaglets Bank
by Sy Schreckinger – ANTIQUE TOY WORLD Magazine – August, 1988
Motherhood — that sacred and blessed state — has been infinitely glorified. Virtues of maternal affection and tenderness have even been expressed in the design of many a children\'s plaything. Several early toy manufacturers/designers, such a Kyser and Rex, the J. and E. Stevens Company, and Kenton Hardware, incorporated the maternal instinct into mechanical banks such as \"Mammy and Baby,\" \"Lion and Monkeys,\" \"Two Frogs,\" \"Mama Katzenjammer,\" \"Hen and Chicks,\" and the subject of this article, \"Eagle and Eaglets.\" (Figure I)
This novel bank portrays a mother eagle protectively perched above her nestlings. With wings outstretched, she feeds her young. The Eagle and Eaglets was produced and designed by Mr. Charles M. Henn of Chicago, Illinois. Henn was granted Patent number271,200(Figure II) on January 23, 1883. This date is indicated by the words, in raised lettering, \"PAT JAN 23, 1883\" positioned underneath the base. Shortly after receiving his patent, Henn approached the J. and E. Stevens Company, of Cromwell, Connecticut, with his proposal that Stevens manufacture his bank. Upon acceptance of Henn\'s proposition, Stevens granted him a royalty of approximately four cents per bank over a period of fifteen years. The Stevens Company effected several internal and external modifications to Henn\'s designs. However, comparison of the bank pictured in Figure I to the patent drawings of Figure II reveals fairly close adherence to the original designs.
Operation of Eagle and Eaglets is initiated by placing a coin into the spring‑tension beak of the large eagle. This is followed by pressing downward upon the \"snake-shaped\" lever under the eagle\'s tail. Simultaneously, she leans forward, spreads her wings and drops the coin into the nest. Both eaglets rise upward, beaks agape as if to receive mama’s offering. This action is accompanied by a chirping sound emitted from within the bank, which is accomplished by a small bellows-activated whistle (refer to \"S\" in patent drawings, Figure II). The coins are removed by releasing the round Stevens\' coin retainer underneath the base.
Provenance: All cast iron banks have been in family for over 70 years
