Wonderful and rare, original 1880’s Cast Iron Mechanical Bank by J. Of Cromwell, Connecticut titled the “Eagle & Eaglets” with exceptionally well preserved, original surface paint and intact and working “chirping bellows”. This original Cast Iron Mechanical Bank measures approx. 6″ tall (to the top of the Eagles beak) and 6 3/4″ by 4 at the base. Known to collectors as the “Eagle and Eaglets” it was patented in 1883 by Charles M. Henn and manufactured by J & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut for a number of years thereafter. The example offered here has near pristine surface paint and is exceptionally well preserved – even the original bellow “chirp” when the lever is activated!! The Eagle And Eaglets enjoyed tremendous popularity and was one of the most popular of all mechanical banks. It was made in large quantities over a long period of time. As a toy bank it had a very pleasing appearance and was appropriate as a gift for either a boy or girl. In spite of the large production of the Eagle And Eaglets, it is not a common bank to find today in fine to mint condition. It is considered to be one of the fairly common mechanicals, but this is not so if you want one in fine original paint with original whistling or chirping bellows and no repairs such as the one offered here. To operate the bank, the beak of the large eagle is opened manually and a coin placed therein. A lever under the tail of the eagle is pressed down. The eagle tilts forward lowering its wings and in so doing opens its beak, dropping the coin into the nest where the coin goes through a slot into the base of the bank. The baby eaglets lift up and open their beaks as though receiving food the coin in this case representing the food. As this action takes place, the bellows inside emit a squeaking sound in simulation of chirping baby eagles. On releasing the lever all parts return to their respective positions as shown in the picture. The colors of this very attractive bank are as follows: The large eagle is an all over green with black lines and markings on the upper side of the wings and back. He has glass eyes and his beak is a black-brown. His claws are brown and black. The baby eaglets are gray with black beaks but lack paint. The nest is in shades of dark and light brown and tan. The base is an overall odd blue-green color with highlights of green, yellow and black. The lever is brown and the animal peaking out under the eagle is orange with red mouth and black eyes and tip of nose. The base plate is edged in black and the underside is painted in the same odd blue-green color as the base. The patent date of January 23, 1883 is cast in raised letters on the underside of the base. A conventional round Stevens trap is also in the base plate for removal of coins but seems to be a but small or not the right size as we found this inside the hole where the coins are deposited. This wonderful, original Eagle and Eaglets Mechanical Bank is very finely cast and retains the vast majority of its original surface paint which is bright and vibrant and exceptionally well preserved. The Bank is in excellent to near mint condition with no cracks, chips, breaks, repairs or damage of any kind. The Bank retains approx. 85%+ of its original surface paint and the paint is 100% original – the Bank has never been restored, repainted, touched up or altered in any way and the paint is bright and bold, rich and warm. The paint on the Eagle’s back and on the top surface of the wings are bright and vibrant and exceptionally clean showing none of the usual darkening and soiling in this area on most examples of this wonderful Mechanical Bank. There is no significant paint loss to the interior of the nest where the coin drops and no chipping to the black paint on the edge of the base. The mechanism is in very good working condition and as stated above the original “chirping bellows” is present but not in working condition. The Eagle retains its original glass eyes and has the original trap cover. Please see the numerous scans below for a good indication of the outstanding condition of the surface paint which is truly beautiful when viewed “in hand”. A wonderful and highly collectible, 1880’s J & E Stevens “Eagle and Eaglets”, Cast Iron Mechanical Bank in outstanding, original surface paint and a fantastic addition to any collection!!! Please Note: The Mechanical Bank offered here is unconditionally guaranteed authentic, original and of the period – manufactured by J & E Stevens in the late 19th century. The item “1880’s EAGLE & EAGLETS CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANK with GREAT PAINT By J & E STEVENS” is in sale since Monday, November 23, 2015. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Banks, Registers & Vending\Mechanical Banks”. The seller is “jmurph0044″ and is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped to United States, to Canada, to United Kingdom, DK, RO, SK, BG, CZ, FI, HU, LV, LT, MT, EE, to Australia, GR, PT, CY, SI, to Japan, to China, SE, KR, ID, to Taiwan, ZA, TH, to Belgium, to France, to Hong Kong, to Ireland, to Netherlands, PL, to Spain, to Italy, to Germany, to Austria, RU, IL, to Mexico, to New Zealand, SG, to Switzerland, NO, SA, UA, AE, QA, KW, BH, HR, MY, TR, BR, CL, CO, CR, DO, PA, TT, GT, SV, HN, JM.

• Original/Reproduction: Original