J.E. Stevens Co. Cast Iron No. 337 “Magician Bank” Mechanical Bank *SOLD*

J.E. Stevens Co. Cast Iron No. 337 “Magician Bank” Mechanical Bank 

We have for you a cast iron no. 337 “Magician Bank” mechanical bank manufactured by J. & E. Stevens & Company of Cromwell, Connecticut. This bank can be found in the J.E. Stevens Co. 1905 “Illustrated Catalogue of Iron Toys, etc.” on page 26. 

This mechanical bank works by placing a coin on the table in front of the magician and pressing the lever. When the lever is pressed the magician covers it with his hat and when he lifts his hat, the coin is gone. Magic!!! In reality, the lever makes the hat go down and a trap door open to where the coin falls into the receptacle below. This original bank is in working order. 

For its age, this piece is in very good all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and display. This is approximately 7” L x 3 ¾” W x 8 ¼” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition. 

  

  

A brief history of J. & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut:

J & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut operated between 1842 and into the 1950s and was founded by blacksmith John Stevens and his brother Elisha Stevens. When J. & E. Stevens began, they first started making cast iron hardware, hammers, and simple iron toys. Their metal fabrication line also included stubs, plates, door buttons, as well as, wardrobe, coat, and hat hooks. They are believed to be one of the first manufacturers of cast iron toys in the United States. They manufactured toys such as cannons, locomotives, whistling tops, toy irons, kettles, skillets, and stoves. 

Throughout their time they made a variety of toys and are most famous for their more than 300 types of mechanical banks and cap pistols. The company specialized in cast iron mechanical banks from 1870 until the turn of the century. In 1859 they produced their first cap pistol and by 1928 they devoted themselves entirely to the production of cap pistols. An interesting side note is that J. & E. Stevens supplied The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company of Hampton, Connecticut, and Watrous Bell Toys with the castings for their bell toys. Elisha Stevens later joined George Brown to establish the Stevens & Brown. Brown and Elisha Stevens started a new toy enterprise in Cromwell in 1869 producing a variety of tin toys. During World War II the company closed due to the shortage of iron and the company was sold to Buckley Brothers of New York in 1950.