Lot 1
Rare Little Red Riding Hood Mechanical Bank
Very rare late 19th c. mechanical bank. A lot of research available on the internet and an excerpt is featured below in italics that was written by Sy Schreckinger for the publication "ANTIQUE TOY WORLD" Magazine – July, 1988. As you know, there are reproductions in the marketplace of this bank, but our belief is that this bank is an original and not a reproduction.
As you can see in the photos, there is wear to the paint. There is no key for the lock trap. It works well and appears that all of the parts are there. If you need additional photos, please let us know what you would like to see and we will load it on the catalog. It has been written that are six known examples of the bank- perhaps you could own the seventh. As with every lot in the auction, this is offered without reserve.
Ludwig and Wilhelm Grimm, two German scholars and collectors of tutonic fables, published their anthology of children's fairy tales, the "Kinder—und Hansmdarchen," around the year 1813. It included the fable of Little Red Riding Hood. Approximately seventy-five years later, around the year 1888, this awesome fairy tale was brought to life through the creation of the "Red Riding Hood" mechanical bank. Unfortunately, to date, patent and/or printed documentation pertinent to the designer and/or manufacturer has not been found. However, it had been speculated, but cannot be substantiated, that the designer of this mechanical may have been a William S. Reed of Leominster, Massachusetts. Possibly Reed was associated with the "Red Riding Hood" bank, since he had designed and received a patent for the "Old Woman in the Shoe" bank (Figure II), which had been based upon the popular nursery rhyme.
Another belief is that the J. and E. Stevens Company may have designed and manufactured the bank. This is based upon observed casting detail similarities between "Red Riding Hood" and toys manufactured by Stevens.
To complicate the matter further, this writer theorizes that, possibly, the Kyser and Rex Company, of Frankford, Pennsylvania, designed and manufactured this bank. Speculation is based upon two factors: (1) similarities between the simplistic style in which Little Red Riding Hood's features were painted, as compared to the faces of the organ grinder in the Kyser and Rex "Organ and Bear" bank and the policeman in their "Uncle Remus" bank; and, (2) J. and E. Stevens Company had never manufactured a mechanical bank with a key-lock coin trap, while almost all of the Kyser and Rex banks utilize such a trap. In addition, the unique shape of the "Little Red Riding Hood" coin trap is remarkably similar in configuration to the coin traps of two other Kyser and Rex banks, namely the "Confectionary" and the "Presto Building" (Figure M). The colors of the bank represented in Figure I are as follows: Little Red's face is a pink flesh color; she has blond hair and eyebrows, black eyes, and a red mouth. Her hat and dress are red and she wears a white sleeveless slipover blouse. The basket held in the crook of her right arm is tan. Grandma's face is a pink flesh color; she has black eyes and eyebrows, red nostrils, and a red mouth. She wears a white, ruffled bed cap on her head. The wolf's face and paw are painted a light brown. He has orange eyes with black pupils and a red mouth. The blanket draped over the bed is light green with gold and copper highlights. The pillow is white and the entire bed frame is japanned a dark brown with gold highlighting. Known paint variations pertain solely to the blanket, whereby it can be painted either dark blue or yellow. A variation in casting concerns itself with the way in which the wolfs paw is holding the mask. The words, "PAT APLD FOR" are impressed into the underside of all known "Red Riding Hood" banks.
This mechanical is extremely rare. Since it has been reproduced, the base diagram (Figure IV) should help in determining originality, and possibly prevent one from making a costly mistake. A reproduction will appear approximately one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch shorter than the size indicated.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipping Terms and Pick-up
Items won can be picked up at the venue, 30 E. High St., Mt. Sterling, Ky. 40353 starting on Monday, January 6th and all that week ending on Saturday, January 11th. We will be open that week, Mon-Thu 9am-3pm and Saturday from 10am-Noon. Appointments can be made by calling Bruce Wise at (859) 321-1230.
IMPORTANT: Please communicate with us regarding your intentions for pickup or shipping ASAP.
If you have not paid online, then payment can be made at pickup. Please bring your own packaging and additional help if needed for loading items. All removals must be completed in a professional and tidy manner. Not responsible for accidents.
Any lots that are not picked up within 10 calendar days of the auction will be sold in a future auction and the sales price minus our commission will be paid to the owner if you have paid and we haven't heard from you.
For those buyers who wish to have their merchandise shipped, please advise Caswell Prewitt of your shipping plans. Shipping arrangements must be made between the buyer and shipper as Caswell Prewitt Realty does not provide in-house packing or shipping. All packing and shipping of merchandise will be at the risk and expense of the buyer. A couple nearby shippers include:
The Mailroom, Lexington, Ky - 859 268 0206, [email protected]
UPS - Winchester - 859-745-4422, [email protected]
Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 15% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
From: | To: | Increments: |
---|---|---|
$0 | $99 | $5 |
$100 | $249 | $10 |
$250 | $999 | $25 |
$1,000 | $4,999 | $50 |
$5,000 + | $100 |