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I acquired this piece two weeks ago and have done some internet research trying to learn what it is. This piece was gifted to me by an elderly woman who collects bottles for recycling money, as her thanks for our restaurant's bottles. Every night, we always leave our pizzeria's beer and wine bottles in a bin on the curb for her instead of throwing them in the big recycling dumpster. She liked how this piece looked and gave it to me as a gift. She told me she found it during her bottle-collecting in town, but could tell me no more about it.
This appears to be an 1870s J.& E. Stevens mechanical horse race coin bank. I know that there are reproductions out there, so I've looked hard all over the piece for a "CHINA" or "TAIWAN" stamp. I cannot find any sign that this is a reproduction. The quality of the painting is excellent, with lots of detail that appears authentic, and the paint is intact throughout the piece. It is very heavy and appears to be made of cast iron.
However, the piece is broken: the circular top is broken/detached. On one side, one of the side "houses" that the horses race through is cleanly broken. On the other side, half of the house is missing. See pictures for more detail.
I am no expert in antiques of any kind, and would really appreciate an expert opinion on the value and authenticity of this item, and how/where to sell it. I don't know how to proceed if this is in fact a valuable piece.
Thank you!
Lorenzo
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Re: Mechanical Coin Bank 1871 Stevens
Do you have photos of the bottom? do you see any fake slotted screws? or Phillips screws?
could mean the diff. of $500.00 (Fake) $50.000 (Rare). super close up photos a must,
even the casting, if smooth or pitted makes a diff. I see lots of issues, but still worth something. need them photos..
Re: Mechanical Coin Bank 1871 Stevens
Thanks for your reply. I've attached a picture of the bottom.
Smooth or pitted casting? I don't know how to distinguish that. It looks smooth to me. Please see pictures. You can zoom in on the pictures to see more detail - that's the best resolution my camera can provide.
- Lorenzo
Re: Mechanical Coin Bank 1871 Stevens
http://www.rubylane.com/item/448732-2007RP000287/Patented-1871-Cast-Iron-Mechanical
http://www.prices4antiques.com/Mechanical-Bank-Stevens-JE-Horse-Race-Repaint-D9777853.html
here is two links to look at you will see the phillips screw and round opening on the fake,(like yours) the Old one would never have a Phillps screw. the perfect copy for $500.00 is in perfect condition, yours has some issues. Not much worth here. (sorry)
smooth or pitted. the older casting people took a lot of pride in their toys and cleaned up the castings, also they used fine sand, the newer fakes used course sand and droped the casing on the floor, you will see lots of pits from the sand hitting the floor and sticking to hot casting..