Girard Toys U.S. Mint Philadelphia “Get Rich Quick” Mechanical Bank *SOLD*

Girard Toys U.S. Mint Philadelphia “Get Rich Quick” Mechanical Bank

We have for you a ca. 1930s tin, lithographed mechanical U.S. Mint Philadelphia “Get Rich Quick” savings bank that was manufactured by The Girard Model Works, Inc. of Girard, Pennsylvania.

This little cash register bank is pretty nifty. Is it perfect? Nope. It is missing its hatch; someone must have gotten impatient because the hatch only opens once you put in a certain amount of money. The bank accepts dimes and nickels and counts them as you put them in, all the way up to $10 when the hatch would pop open and you could take your money out to put into the real bank and then start your savings all over again. This bank works and counts dimes and nickels as it should. The color on this bank is pretty unique we think, and if we can find a door for this and repair it we will. It displays well and is just fun all around.

This piece is in good all original condition with restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 3 ½” L x 2 ½” W x 3 ½” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine the quality and condition.

A brief history of The Girard Model Works, Inc. Girard, Pennsylvania:

1919-1922

Founder: Frank E. Wood

Specialty: In the late 1920s, Girard made Louis Marx a commission agent and for several years produced toys under the Marx label, along with its own line of steel autos, trucks, and trains, which were produced at Girard Motor Works. Marx and Girard toys are for all intents indistinguishable ( a few of the Girard toys bore the slogan “Making Childhood`s Hour Happier”). Girard declared bankruptcy in 1934, although toy production continued until 1975. Quaker Oats had bought out Marx`s interest in Girard when they bought Marx`s American and English toy division in 1972.

Other names: Girard Mfg. Co. 1922-1935; The Toy Works, 1935-1975(Spinning tops, skates, banks, trains, military toys).