Antique ca. 1883-1903 J.E. Stevens/Grey Iron Casting Co. One Story Cast Iron Still Penny Bank *SOLD*

Antique ca. 1883-1903 J.E. Stevens/Grey Iron Casting Co. One Story House Cast Iron Still Penny Bank

This is a beautiful architectural “One Story House” cast iron still bank manufactured between 1883 and 1903 by the J.E. Stevens Company out of Cromwell, Conn. This same design was also manufactured by Grey Iron Casting Company of Mount Joy, PA. at the same time possible on contract/license. Since this does not have any markings on it we cannot definitively attribute it to one or the other.

This one story Victorian house bank is all that is good with early American penny banks. It is well made, iconic in style, and does its job for storing pennies. It looks primitive and is small, but it was made just after 1883 and as late as 1903. A real survivor!

There is not much dust on the top, so the colors are extra nice. Though it may not be as big or glitzy as others, we think the colors are just fabulous. The detail in the shingles is gorgeous as are the window designs.  The screw appears to be a replacement and we did notice a break in the cut-out design on the left side of the house. We are not sure if this is from the factory or it just broke over time.

Our example of this cast iron One Story House still bank is in great all original condition with no restorations, repairs, or touch ups. The paint is in great overall condition with the usual dust, patina, scratches, surface rust, scuffs and chips that are seen with age and use. This piece is approximately 2” L x 1 ¼” W x 3 1/4” H. This would be a great addition to any architectural or still bank collection. We encourage you to examine the photographs to further determine condition and quality.

A brief history of J. & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut:

J. & E. Stevens of Cromwell, Connecticut operated between 1842 and in to the 1950’s and was founded by blacksmith John Stevens and his brother Elisha Stevens. When J. & E. Stevens began they first started making cast iron hardware, hammers and simple iron toys. Their metal fabrication line also included stubs, plates, door buttons, as well as, wardrobe, coat and hat hooks. They are believed to be one of the first manufacturers of cast iron toys in the United States. They manufactured toys such as, cannons, locomotives, whistling tops, toy irons, kettles, skillets, and stoves.

Throughout their time they made a variety of toys and are most famous for their more than 300 types of mechanical banks and cap pistols. The company specialized in cast iron mechanical banks from 1870 until the turn of the century. In 1859 they produced their first cap pistol and by 1928 they devoted themselves entirely to the production of cap pistols. An interesting side note is that, J. & E. Stevens supplied The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company of Hampton, Connecticut and Watrous Bell Toys with the castings for their bell toys. Elisha Stevens later joined George Brown to establish the Stevens & Brown. Brown and Elisha Stevens started a new toy enterprise in Cromwell in 1869 producing a variety of tin toys. During World War II the company closed due to the shortage of iron and the company was sold to Buckley Brothers of New York in 1950.