Bidspirit auction | Girl Skipping Rope Mechanical Bank

Girl Skipping Rope Mechanical Bank - One of the most desirable cast iron mechanical banks the ”Girl Skipping Rope” was produced by J. & E. Stevens Company, Cromwell, Conn. circa 1890. The bank features a girl who appears to skip rope when a coin is inserted in the side by a squirrel and a lever is pressed, causing the rope to spin and the girl to move up and down. The bank is known for its intricate casting and detailed design, particularly the delicate floral patterns on the casing, and the thinly cast jump rope, which made it challenging and expensive to produce. The bank is considered rare and highly collectible, with fewer than 100 original, working examples known to exist. This bank came from a long time east coast collector. It is all original with the exception of the winding crank. A working winding key is included but not original to the bank. The spring will wind but the internal ratchet is not catching. When wound a little and released though, the power is enough to make the girl do 2 or 3 skips. As she does, both her legs and head moves. The original loop on her cap is intact but the thread tassel is missing. There are no breaks or repairs to the cast iron. The jump rope is an original cast iron painted gold. Measures 8” tall.