Wonderful and rare, original 1870’s Cast Iron Mechanical Bank by J. Of Cromwell, Connecticut titled the “Hall’s Excelsior Bank” with exceptionally well preserved, original surface paint. This original Cast Iron Mechanical Bank measures approx. 5″ tall (to the top of the dome) and 3 1/4″ by 3 5/8 at the base. The Hall’s Excelsior Bank was designed by John Hall of Watertown, Mass and is the earliest dated cast iron mechanical bank. It was patented on December 21, 1869 and this date is cast into the roof. All of Halls banks were manufactured by the J. One noteworthy feature of Halls banks was that he was evidently completely enthralled with the idea that the weight of the coin should cause the action to occur. All of his banks operate on this principle. These were: Excelsior, Tammany and Lilliput. The Excelsior Bank works in the following manner: When the doorbell is pulled a string attached to the inner surface of the roof causes the cupola to lift up (as shown in the photos below) and reveals a little monkey seated at a desk. As the monkey appears his head moves from side to side. Some later varieties of this bank feature various kinds of little men instead of a monkey. While hall’s Excelsior Bank is certainly not the rarest of Mechanical Banks, finding one with excellent surface paint is difficult. The example offered features exceptionally well preserved surface paint as can be seen in the scans below. This Bank is a VERY early example of Hall’s Excelsior Bank as it features the wooden “monkey” figure and the original paint scheme with yellow/gray walls with black and red trim, green stairs and red and black roof with a blue dome. This wonderful, original Hall’s Excelsior Bank Mechanical Bank is very finely cast and retains the vast majority of its original surface paint with only scattered small nicks mostly confined to the roof. The Bank is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, breaks, repairs or damage of any kind but it does lack the cord and “doorbell” (easily replaceable) as well as the delicate, wooden arms of the monkey (the monkey’s head is present). The Bank retains approx. 98%+ 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. There is some darkening to the paint in various areas some of which was a desired effect produced by the finish applied at the time of manufacture. 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, 1870’s J & E Stevens “Hall’s Excelsior Bank”, 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 free listing tool. The item “1870s CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANK HALLS EXCELSIOR BANK OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL PAINT” is in sale since Friday, February 10, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Banks, Registers & Vending\Mechanical Banks”. The seller is “walnutts” and is located in Brewster, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Brand: J. E. Stevens
• Original/Reproduction: Original