Tammany Bank

bank (container)

Mechanical cast iron bank shaped like a seated man in a black suit and yellow vest; manufactured by the J. & E. Stevens Company beginning in 1969, design patented December 23 1873, specific bank possibly made June 8 1875 based on inscription on coin release on bottom. Bank operates by placing a coin in the seated man's left hand, hand lowers and drops coin into slot along the right arm while head bobs up and down; bank is a caricature of William Morey "Boss" Tweed (1823-1878) and other New York politicians of Tammany Hall. Inscribed on side of chair, 'Tammany Bank' [right] and 'Hall's Pa't' [left]; inscribed on back of shoulders 'PATD DEC 23 1873'; inscribed on coin release on bottom 'JUNE 8 / 1875'. Back and sides of chair perforated to allow coins to show. Overall: 5 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 4 3/8 in.