J. M. Harper Stork Safe Bank

Circa 1908: Signed "Copyright by J. M. Harper 1907," this scarce cast iron still bank depicts a stork delivering a baby. Figural safe banks are rare and desirable in the bank collecting community, and finding the only one designed by the elusive Mr. Harper is a difficult feat indeed. On page 21 of their revised third edition of The Penny Bank Book (Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2000), authors Andy and Susan Moore explain that "a mystery man named James M. Harper designed and copyrighted a group of fifteen banks which are considered among the most beautifully executed still banks. A Chicagoan, Harper jobbed out the production of the banks to the Chicago Hardware Foundry Company in North Chicago, Illinois. The banks all bear copyright dates including the years 1902 through 1909." This highly detailed 5.5" tall bank retains its original gold paint and has no chips, cracks, or repairs.