Hall's Excelsior

1869

Place madeConnecticut, United States, North America

Iron, wood, paint

Overall: 5 1/8 x 4 x 3 3/4 in. ( 13 x 10.2 x 9.5 cm )

Purchased from Elie Nadelman

1937.780b

This bank is based on Patent No. 98,055, issued to John Hall of Watertown, MA on December 21, 1869, and Patent No. 162,747, also issued to John Hall, on May 4, 1875.

DescriptionCast iron mechanical bank in the form of building, painted white with red and blue decoration, with flat, slightly curved roof with second tier surmounted by cupola, painted green; pierced decoration includes large arched windows on sides, two smaller windows and door on front of bank, and pattern of circles on back; cast inscription on front of bank above details of windows and doors; hole at side of door for pull string (missing); when string is pulled, monkey (cashier) hidden below cupola rises up; when coin is placed on desk, weight of coin causes monkey to drop down, depositing coin into bank.

Markingscast: on front: "HALL'S/EXCELSIOR/BANK" printed: on paperlabel inside lid: "Cashier."

ClassificationsTOYS