It is more than safe to say that the Jolly Nigger is the most popular mechanical bank ever created because no other mechanical bank has been made in more variations, manufactured in more nations, or produced for a longer span of time. Note that kingpin mechanical bank collector Steve Steckbeck kept only the first bank he ever acquired, Shepard Hardwares Jolly Nigger, when he liquidated his vast collection at Morphys Auctions now historic Steckbeck sale. Shepards Jolly bank is the first one produced And is thus the most interesting to collectors of banks, Antique toys, And Black Americana, And it is this bank that retains its iconic status as the most famous 19th century comical image of the stereotypical African American. This pleasing example of Shepards Jolly is in perfect working order, retains its original Made by Shepard Hardware Co. Base plate, no cracks, or repairs, which make it both attractive And desirable to collectors. The proper left arm is truncated, with a lever at the back of the shoulder which operates the right arm and hand (depicted in full with the arm bent). On placing a coin in the shovel-like hand and operating the lever, the figure simultaneously raises his hand, opens his mouth and’swallows’ the coin, while rolling his eyes. The back and front of the piece, the base and the right arm are made separately and fastened together with a screw behind each ear and another in the base. 1482 (back of object; moulding). MADE BY SHEPARD HARDWARE CO. PATD IN CANADA MAR 27 1883. (Bottom of object; moulding). Bank was one of only fifteen designs to have been patented in the ten years it was manufactured by the company. Shepard Hardware was the first to produce this particular design, of which many variations were later made. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut, bought the company in 1892. Unlike some manufacturers, Shepard Hardware printed the name and patent number on either the rear or underside of each bank. The bank was manufactured for forty years by J. Stevens, and was one of only three Shepard designs continued by the company. Was the only racialised design by Shepard Hardware, adding to J. Stevens large range of racialised banks, many of which were in bust form. Whether it be an African American, Native American, Irish or Chinese character, the company found its niche in producing a vast range of imagery drawing influences from non-white people in America. The term nigger has been used to describe people of black (sub-Saharan) African heritage. From the 1800s it carried strong derogatory intent. The term is only used here in its original historical context, as the title of the object. Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no). The Encyclopedia of Toys. New York: Crown Publishers. Penny Banks, A History and a Handbook. New York: Harry N. (Unpublished Masters Degree First Term Essay, Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum, 2016). Cast iron is an alloy including carbon, and is melted in a blast furnace before being poured into a mould. It is likely that. Was produced in a sand mould, which would have had the multiple components of the bank already impressed on it from a mock-up design created in 3-D by a carpenter. The item “Nice Black Americana Cast Iron JOLLY N Mechanical Bank by Shepard Hardware c1882″ is in sale since Sunday, September 9, 2018. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Banks, Registers & Vending\Mechanical Banks”. The seller is “copperdog82806″ and is located in Huntingtown, Maryland. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Brand: SHEPARD HARDWARE CO
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Original/Reproduction: Original