AC Williams/Arcade ca. 1910-1934 No. 4348 Variation Cast Iron Large Prancing Horse Blue Still Penny Coin Bank *SOLD*

AC Williams/Arcade No. 4348 Variation Cast Iron Large Prancing Horse Still Penny Coin Bank

This is a beautiful “Large Prancing Horse” No. 4348 variation manufactured by A.C. Williams of Ravenna, Ohio. This particular bank was manufactured from 1910-1934. The horse is painted blue with white/ivory hooves and eyes and a red nose and mouth. The pedestal base is a matching blue. There are no markings on this piece. The rare factory original paint reminds us more of an Arcade style paint, so we suspect this may be an A.C. Williams design used by Arcade; either way, we have never seen another like this.

Our example of this cast iron Prancing Pony still bank is in excellent all original condition with no restorations, repairs, breaks or touch ups. We did notice a hole in the hoof that is definitely from the factory making this an even rarer item. This is an incredibly nice example where, like with gems, these excellent to near mint details are so difficult to find.  The paint is in excellent overall condition with the usual dust, patina, scratches, scuffs and chips that are seen with age and display. The pedestal is approximately 4 ½” long. The horse is approximately 7” from nose to tail and approximately 7 ½” high. We believe this would be a stunning addition to any still bank or horse collection. We encourage you to examine the photographs to further determine condition and quality

A brief history of A.C. Williams Co. of Ravenna, Ohio:

The A. C. Williams Company was founded in business in Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1844. It was founded by John Wesley Williams, the father of A. C. Williams. However there was a big fire at the company, and a decision was made to move to Ravenna. Ohio. Actual production started there in 1893.

Like the other famous cast iron companies of the time (Hubley, Dent, Kilgore, Arcade, Kenton), A.C. Williams manufactured cast iron cars and trucks.  From 1893 to 1923 they produced cast-iron horse-drawn rigs, autos, airplane, penny banks and tractor toys; the line included mostly miniatures distributed through Woolworth, Kresge`s, and other five-and-dime stores. They even produced some tin cars towards the end of the company’s relatively long history. Unfortunately, in 1938 they closed their toy production and continued in other ventures to this day.