This outstanding, original Cast Iron Mechanical Bank measures approx. 10” tall and 4 7/8” square at the base. The Bank was manufactured by J. Barton Smith Co. and it appeared in a number of retailer’s catalogs of the 1880’s and early 1890's. It should be noted that the uprights that support the trapeze bar and thus the Boy are quite susceptible to damage – the vast majority of examples of this Bank that we have examined have had repairs to one or both of these uprights, however, the Bank offered here has no damage and no repairs to the upright supports – no damage or repairs of any kind actually.

    The following description was written in 1965 by F. H. Griffith and published in Hobbies Magazine - it is an outstanding treatment of this wonderful Bank and we quote it here:

   "A great favorite of the writer’s, and one of the nicest of all the mechanical banks, is our choice as No. 126 in the numerical classification. This is the Boy On Trapeze Bank, a very attractive well made item with clever action based on the size and weight of the coin used in its operation. A coin is thus necessary in operating the bank and causes the animated action. This, as has been pointed out in past articles on some of the other mechanical banks, is a very desirable feature. In addition, the bank is well proportioned and has a certain graceful appearance about it. In spite of the fact that there is evidence the Boy On Trapeze had a patent pending during its period of manufacture, the writer has to date been unsuccessful in his search for any patent papers that would apply to the bank. Fortunately, however, an original advertising flyer of the period is most helpful in establishing factual background information about the bank. This advertising card, like some others used to publicize mechanical banks during their era, is printed on both sides. On one side there are two pictures of the bank in colors. One shows it in position before operation and the other during the action. The pictures accurately depict the bank and are bright and colorful.... . It’s interesting to note that this original advertising item on the Boy On Trapeze actually contradicts itself. The front states he revolves six times for a half dollar, and the back says four times for the same coin. In any event, this is a minor but interesting mistake. The importance of the card lies in knowing the manufacturer, one of the sales agents, and the original name of the bank ("French's Automatic Toy Bank"). The original name, by the way, would indicate that a person by the name of French designed and possibly patented the bank. The name French’s Automatic Toy Bank also brings up another salient point. This is the necessity in some cases where the name is not inscribed on the bank itself, such as the one under discussion, for renaming the bank with a more descriptive title. The Boy On Trapeze readily identifies the bank for what it represents, while its original name would give no clue as to its appearance."

    The Bank operates using gravity and works as follows. When a coin is placed in the slot on the top of the Boy's head, he revolves around the "trapeze" that runs between his legs. When a half dollar is deposited, the Boy rotates 4 times - depositing a quarter causes him to rotate three times - a nickel two times and a penny once (a dime is too light to activate the mechanism). The coin is deposited into the base of the Bankand the Boy returns to his upright position with the ball affixed to his right foot acts as a counterweight causing the static position of the figure to be upright. The base of the bank bears special mention since it is one of the finest and most attractive of all the mechanical banks. It consists of decorative, somewhat intricate scrollwork on the four sloping sides, as well as the top and bottom sections. A mask is cast at the front and back of the large slot that receives the coins. Two screws would appear to hold the bank together, one screw is genuine and the other is a representation of a screwhead made in the casting. The bottom plate of the base is actually a large coin trap. This is hinged and held in place by one screw. When this screw is turned, the entire plate swings open. The upright side supports that suspend the boy are also cast in a decorative fashion. It bears mention that the Boy On Trapeze shares similarities with a very rare bank, the Clown On Bar (HOBBIES, April, 1956). Naturally there is no comparison in value between the two banks since the Clown On Bar is a rare, very desirable bank. However, this does not preclude the fact that the operation of the Boy On Trapeze is considerably more interesting and is the more decorative of the two.”

    The colors of the surface paint on the Bank offered here are as follows: the boy wears a red shirt with a blue ruffled collar, red socks and red hat with a black tip. His hands and face are a flesh color. His hair and the ball suspended from his right foot are the same color, a brown maroon shade. Blue trousers or knee breeches and black shoes complete the coloring on the boy. The entire base has a dark brown japanned type finish. The surface paint is 100% original and generally well preserved. The colors correspond to those described as the original, factory paint colors.

    This very rare and original, 1890’s "Boy on Trapeze” Mechanical Bank is in very good condition with no cracks, chips, breaks, repairs or physical damage of any kind. The Bank retains 85% of its original surface paint and that surface paint is 100% original – the surface has never been restored, repainted, touched up or altered in any way. The Boy balances perfectly and the Bank works as designed. The Bank retains its base plate which also acts as the trap cover. Please see the numerous scans below for a good indication of the form and condition of this exceptionally rare, 19th century Cast Iron Mechanical Bank.

    A very rare and highly sought after, 1880’s "Boy on Trapeze Bank” Cast Iron Mechanical Bank in well preserved, original surface paint and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!

    Please Note: The Mechanical Bank offered here is unconditionally guaranteed authentic, original and of the period - manufactured by the J. Barton Smith Co. in the fourth quarter of the 19th century. The Bank is backed by our “no questions asked” return policy and lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

    Be sure to check out this seller’s other auctions for a number of other 19th and early 20th century Toys and Banks which are also being offered for sale this week on eBay!!