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"Fisherman" piggy bank with fishing mechanism, cast iron, 1950s - USA.
€420Bid from €350
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Fisherman's Coin Bank with Fishing Mechanism, Cast Iron, 1950s - USA
Type: Coin Bank
Material: Cast Iron
Period: 1950s
Country: USA
Good condition considering its age and use
Dimensions: 17 x 18 x 10 cm
Price: €350
As a way to encourage saving among children in the late 18th century, hundreds of interesting coin bank models with a fishing mechanism were developed. To use it, a coin is placed in the fish's mouth and a lever on the right is pressed. When activated, the fisherman makes a "diving" motion with his fishing rod, and the coin falls into the barrel next to him. It is made entirely of cast iron and heavy metal, hand-painted with bright colors that give it a rustic and antique look. This model is based on early 20th-century designs, although many of the pieces currently available are high-quality reproductions for collectors.
Mechanical piggy banks like "The One That Got Away" were not just toys, but key tools that reflected the social and economic changes of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era. Made of heavy cast iron, they were designed to last for generations, serving as a robust and durable decorative object. Their mass production was made possible by advances in iron casting and assembly line production after the American Civil War. When foundries finished their wartime work, they adapted their molds to create these durable consumer goods. These mechanical piggy banks, originally known as mechanical banks, have a history that blends the ingenuity of the industrial age with the children's pedagogy of the late 19th century, whose golden age in the US was between 1870 and 1910. The "One That Got Away" model is inspired by the designs of iconic manufacturers such as J. & E. Stevens Co. and Hubley, who popularized scenes of everyday life and sports in cast iron.
The design of these piggy banks was not purely aesthetic; it served very specific functions for the time. On the one hand, it aimed to encourage children to save, since seeing the fisherman "wrestling" with the fish to deposit the coin motivated children to find more coins to repeat the action. Another function, in a period without electronics, was to amaze children and adults with its engineering, using springs, levers, and gravity to create a sequence of movement. Finally, for adult fishing enthusiasts, it's a humorous nod to fishing folklore, featuring the classic tale of the escaped fish.
This exquisite cast iron piggy bank from the 1950s is a model from "The One That Got Away," a series of mechanically engineered piggy banks designed to amaze both children and adults. As a way to encourage saving among children in the late 18th century, hundreds of interesting piggy bank models with a mechanism were developed. To use it, a coin is placed in the fish's mouth and a lever on the right is pressed. When activated, the fisherman makes a "dipping" motion with his rod, and the coin falls into the barrel next to him. It is made entirely of cast iron and heavy metal, hand-painted in vibrant colors that give it a rustic, antique look. This model is based on early 20th-century designs, although many of the pieces found today are high-quality reproductions for collectors. This is the "The One That Got Away" model, inspired by the designs of iconic manufacturers like J. & E. Stevens Co. and Hubley, who popularized scenes of everyday life and sports in cast iron.
The design of these piggy banks wasn't purely aesthetic; it served very specific functions for the time. On the one hand, it aimed to encourage children to save, since seeing the fisherman "wrestling" with the fish to deposit the coin motivated them to find more coins to repeat the action. Another function, in a period without electronics, was to amaze children and adults with its engineering, using springs, levers, and gravity to create a sequence of movement. Finally, for adults who enjoy fishing, it's a humorous nod to fishing folklore, with the classic story of the fish that gets away.
Shipping costs will be paid by the buyer according to the product's dimensions, weight, and destination. We will contact you to arrange shipping and agree on a quote. Shipping costs include professional, custom-made packaging and personalized shipping with tracking and warranty. The buyer is responsible for paying any import duties and associated taxes in the destination country. Please note the seller's disclaimer regarding any customs charges, as these are levied in the destination country and the amount payable is determined by that country's customs authority.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsBrown, Taupe, Multi ColorMaterialCast IronNumber of items1Height17 cmWidth18 cmDepth10 cmSigns of usageDents, Scratches
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Valladolid, SpainOn Whoppah since October 2024 • 1 sale