$800
J. & E. Stevens Company (American (Connecticut), 1843 -1950), circa 1888. Mechanical cast iron painted bank 'Dark Town Battery', designed by James H. Bowen of Philadelphia, Pa., January 17, 1888 and often referred to as the 'Baseball Bank'. One of the more unusual banks having having three stationary figures, with each figure having movable parts. Darktown Battery is the only mechanical bank to represent the game of baseball. To operate, the pitcher’s arm is first pulled back into the position as shown in the picture. In so doing his head lowers forward and down and the parts snap into place. A coin is then inserted in his right hand where it is held by means of a thumb-like clamp. A lever located by the tree stump is then pressed down. Immediately the pitcher throws the coin toward the catcher and his head snaps back into position. Simultaneously the batter raises his bat high and turns his head from right to left as though watching the coin. The catcher moves his head forward and his left hand in toward his body as though catching the coin. A lower front section of the catcher moves inward so that the coin actually goes inside his body and drops down into the base of the bank. Releasing the lever returns the various parts of the batter and catcher into the positions as shown in the picture. Approximate height 7.25", width 9.75", depth 2.6".
Auctioneer:
Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
Date:
2016-04-30
