Fine Magician Mechanical Bank

Circa 1901: Designed by Charles A. Bailey for Cromwell, Connecticut's J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Connecticut, the endearing magician mechanical bank portrays a magician demonstrating the disappearing coin trick. To operate, one places a coin below the hat. When the lever is pressed. The hat comes down over the coin, and his head nods forward. When the lever is released the hat goes up, showing the empty table as the magician raises his head and makes eye contact with his audience. This hard to find cast iron mechanical bank is in excellent condition with 85-90 percent of its original paint and no chips, cracks, or repairs. It is interesting to note that the bottom has the words "and pending" factory ink stamped under the typical January 22, 1901 patent date impressed into the plate's mold, perhaps suggesting this example was manufactured early in its short run.