Mammy and Child Mechanical Bank (Red Dress)

Circa 1884: Designed by Alfred C. Rex and manufactured by Frankford, Pennsylvania's Kyser & Rex Company, the Mammy and Child mechanical bank is scarce indeed, especially with its original spoon, which is often broken, replaced, repaired, or simply missing. The bank can be used in two ways. A coin can be placed in the mother's apron, and, when one presses the lever, the coin drops into the bank as the baby's legs raise, the spoon drops toward her mouth, and the mother looks down at her child. One can also "feed" the child a coin manually through her mouth without having to press the lever. This bank is all original, including the spoon and coin trap, and has no chips chracks or repairs. There are a couple factory casting flaws on the child, a small hole on her dress and a spot undrneath her lips, but this is simply how the bank itself was originally cast and is not human damage. This is a terrific example of what is called the red dress variant of the Mammy and Child, and the bank retains approximately 85% percent of its original paint with no touch ups. This is the only mechanical bank that explores the intimate human bond between mother and child and is one of the most interesting pieces of 19th century black americana ever produced.