ca1900 CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANK - WILLIAM TELL BANK - ORIGINAL By J E STEVENS For Sale

Rare and original, ca1900 Cast Iron Mechanical Bank by J & E. Stevens titled the \"William Tell Bank\". This outstanding, original Cast Iron Mechanical Bank measures approx. 6 5/8\" tall and 10 1/2\" x 3 3/4\" at the base. The William Tell Bank was patented in 1896 by Russell Frisbie and manufactured by J & E. Stevens for a number of years thereafter. It was one of Stevens most popular Mechanical Banks as it is a very attractive bank with excellent action and subject matter. Though certainly not the rarest of Cast Iron Mechanical Banks, the William Tell Bank is popular with collectors today for the same reasons that it was popular with children and adults alike when it was originally marketed.

The Bank features the figure of William Tell pointing a rifle shaped weapon at an apple on the head of a little boy who stands in front of a castle tower. To operate, the odd shaped piece on the top of the gun barrel is pressed back until it snaps into position. This \"loading\" of the mechanism also causes the head of William Tell to lower into a position that makes it appear he is taking aim at the apple. A coin is placed on top of the barrel just in front of the odd shaped piece. The boy’s right arm is pulled down bringing the apple to the top of his head. When the right foot of William Tell is pressed down he fires the gun and the coin shoots forward knocking the apple from the boy’s head as he raises his right arm. The coin is deposited inside the castle tower and the head of William Tell falls backwards. The mechanism here is in excellent working condition.

The Bank is very finely cast and retains the vast majority of its original surface paint. We believe that this is one of the earlier color variations produced by J & E Stevens. On this example the base is a light and dark green with gold highlighting, the castle is light tan with parts of the structure in gold and black. The boy has a yellow apple on top of his black hair. He wears a red jacket, yellow skirt and yellow boots. Face, arms and knees are light flesh color. William Tell wears a gray hat with red plume and he has the same flesh color face and hands as the boy. His hair, cape and gun are black. The cape has a khaki collar and red lining. His shirt or tunic is black with yellow ruffle sleeves and red belt and edging. He has yellow and cream breeches with khaki boots.

This outstanding, original \"William Tell” Mechanical Bank is in very good++ condition with no cracks, chips, breaks, repairs or damage of any kind. The Bank retains a significant amount of its original surface paint and the paint is 100% original - the Bank has never been restored, repainted, touched up or altered in any way. Please see the numerous scans below for a good indication of the condition of the paint. The mechanism is strong and tight and the Bank retains its original trap cover.

A wonderful and highly collectible, ca1900 J & E Stevens, \"William Tell” Cast Iron Mechanical Bank and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!