In this listing we are offering an original “Organ Grinder and Performing Bear” AKA “Organ Grinder Dancing Bear” cast iron mechanical bank. The bank was assigned patent number D-259,403 on 13 June 1882. The bank was designed by & manufactured by the Kyser & Rex Company of Frankford, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, this is one of the very few designs of cast iron mechanical banks which has a key wind clockwork mechanism. The key which is attached to the bank mechanism is located on the side of the building. When the key is wound a coin is then placed in the top of the organ. Then the lever in front of the organ is pushed. This activates the bear to revolve as the organ grinder man turns the crank while the coin slides inside of the organ. The bank is in excellent mechanically operating condition. This example has lots of bright original paint & the condition is much better than most examples of this bank which are found. A very beautiful & appealing example of this wonderful bank! This pleasing & attractive bank is 6 7/8 inches long by 2 11/16/16 inches deep by approximately 4 1/4 inches tall. The weight is 4 pounds & 7 ounces. The bank is complete as shown & still retains the original coin trap. We do not have a key to unlock the trap. In over 58 years of being heavily involved with collecting mechanical banks this is the second best condition example we have ever owned of an Organ Grinder Dancing Bear Bank. We acquired this bank over 30+ years ago & it has been in our collection for the last 30+ years. Approximately 40+ years ago a former owner of this bank, two owners before we acquired it, had dropped the bank. When we found the bank there were a few hairline cracks on the roof & there was one hairline crack at the center of the fence. There were no chips or missing pieces of iron & just the thin hairline cracks in the iron were present. Approximately 25 years ago we decided to have the bank repaired. So, the bank repair expert Marc “O” was hired to repair these hairline cracks, approximately 25 years ago. At the time the cracks were repaired some paint touch-ups were done on the roof & also to the center of the fence with the two boys peering over it. But, the major percentage of the original paint remains on both the roof & the fence. The old & superior quality expert repairs & touch ups done by Marc “O” are not visible to the naked eye even under careful magnification. But, the paint touch up areas show up under a blacklight examination. I really sort of hate to sell this beautiful bank which I have deeply loved & very much enjoyed looking at for so many glorious years! But, alas for me & joy for you, the time has arrived for some other lucky mechanical bank collector to provide this exceptional Organ Grinder Dancing Bear Bank a good new home. I will truly miss it! This item is inventory #11,398.