This cast iron bank is molded into the shape of a spotted eagle dropping food into the mouths of its hungry children. When a coin is placed into the eagle's mouth, depressing the stick at the eagle's tail will cause it to bend over and raise its wings, dropping the coin toward the baby birds where it falls into the coin slot. Patent 1883.

Weight (Lbs): 3
Height (In.): 5.5
Width (In.): 8.75
Depth (In.): 3.5
Size: 223.5 x 4.0 x 4.0"
Maker: J & E Stevens Co.
Material: Cast Iron, Paint
Date: 19th C.
Provenance: N/A
Condition: Original pain is visible, if faded, and the bank functions at time of description.
History: When John and Elisha Stevens formed the J & E Stevens Company in Cromwell in 1843, they intended to manufacture cast-iron hardware, hammers, and a few iron toys. The success the brothers found in producing those few iron toys changed their business plan: the J & E Stevens Company eventually became the largest manufacturer of cast-iron toys in the country. With their 1859 introduction of the first fire cracker pistol, the brothers began focusing almost exclusively on toy production. Their product line included toy cannons, locomotives, and whistling tops. Though the brothers marketed their products primarily to boys, they also made toy stoves, furniture, and miniature cutlery that they marketed to young girls. A turning point in the company's development came in 1869 with the production of their first cast-iron mechanical bank. This bank, featuring a monkey that popped out of building, inspired numerous competitors to produce similar products and helped create a new genre of product that blended art and function in ways that sparked the imagination and ingenuity of designers. In fact, between 1869 and 1890, the J & E Stevens Company produced more than 300 different models of mechanical banks.