Original Bill E. Grin Mechanical Bank

Circa 1915: Created by New York City's John W. Schmitt and manufactured by The J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Connecticut, the elusive Bill E. Grin mechanical bank has a simple action (sliding a coin into the top of Bill's head) and a surprising result (Bill's long tongue sliding out of his upturned mouth) that surely meant to both delight and frighten children in the same manner of early 20th century Halloween and Christmas decorations. This example is completely original with no chips, cracks, or repairs, works well, and retains 80-85 percent of its original paint with no touch ups. Most examples of this bank have been repainted, and it is a joy to find an honest one with fine patina and a great first surface.