J and E Stevens Shell Out Still Bank

Circa 1882: Manufactured by Cromwell, Connecticut's J and E Stevens Company, the 4.75" long cast iron Shell Out still bank carries a humorous message by asking its keeper to "shell out" some change, thus serving as a teaching tool for children to set back a few pennies for a rainy day. This early and imaginative still bank retains its original paint and coin trap and is impressed "Patd June 27" on the bottom. The highly detailed casting of this hard to find 19th century bank even down to the decorated base gives this cast iron depiction of the conch shell a delightfully realistic flair, which separates it from many early 20th century banks that were cast in a much less ornate and costly fashion. No other companies produced shell banks, making the Stevens Shell Out bank unique and desirable in its collecting arena.