Presented is a circa-1888 Darktown Battery cast iron mechanical bank depicting a pitcher, a batter and a catcher in colorful uniforms. This model bank was extremely popular, and was produced by the Cromwell, Connecticut-based J. Originally produced in 1888, this mechanical bank was a massive hit with consumers thanks to its vibrant colors and unique coin action. The pitcher throws the coin to the catcher, who catches and deposits the coin as the blue and yellow clad hitter swings and misses. The approximately 3 x 10-inch bank has an open grillwork base with the legend Darktown Battery, referring to the pitcher and catcher, engraved on the front alongside cross baseball bats and two baseballs. The pitcher at the left top is painted with a yellow and black polka-dot sash, red shirt, blue pants, red socks, brown shoes and a red, white, and blue cap. The batter at top right, has a blue, white and yellow cap, blue shirt with Possums in red across the front, yellow pants, blue socks and brown shoes. The catcher is crouched below the batter, with a red, white and blue cap, red shirt and blue pants. A lever behind the catcher is depressed by the operator generating a swing by the batter and the opening of a hatch on the catchers front for coin deposits. The base is painted in green, red, and yellow. The underside of the base is painted white on the open grill work with a 1 ½-inch opening for removing the coins. This immensely popular and highly desirable mechanical bank is the one of the finest pieces of 19th century sporting Black Americana ever produced. This bank was so admired and well-used by children of the late Victorian period, this bank is in great working order with no chips or cracks. The Darktown Battery has appeal to collectors of Black Americana, sporting antiques, cast iron toys, and mechanical banks. This is a unique antique/collectible. The item “1888 Circa Darktown Battery Cast Iron Mechanical Bank Antique” is in sale since Friday, December 18, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Banks, Registers & Vending\Mechanical Banks”. The seller is “chaser2547″ and is located in Clover, South Carolina. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Modified Item: No
• Featured Refinements: Cast Iron Mechanical Bank
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Original/Reproduction: Original