Always Did 'Spise A Mule Antique Mechanical Bank

"Always Did 'Spise a Mule," another late nineteenth-century mechanical bank, portrays an African American boy riding a mule. When the player pushes a lever, the mule bucks, throwing the rider over its head onto a log on the ground and the coin is thus deposited in the bank -- sometimes missing the coin slot.

This bank just went off on eBay at $850, and had much less paint than the one we are showing here.   

This bank was initially patented by J.H. Bowen on Aprill 22, 1879, Patent Number 214,615.   It was also reproduced by John Harper and Company in 1902 and possibly by other companies.  Initially it was produced by J & E Stevens and company.  This bank is in excellent condition with regard to the moving parts, the rider, the mule and the base.  The cap for the bottom of the bank is missing.  It has a patent date of April, 1879 highlighted in the metal on the under-base.  On the surface of the grass is "I Always Did 'Spise A Mule".

The  paint has considerable wear.  The cap of the rider and the jersey still have decent color, however, the grass definitely needs some watering and is more brown than green.  The action of the bank is excellent.  It appears that someone may have replaced the original small nut and bolt between the mules front legs. The bank weighs 2 pounds and 10 ounces.

The buyer can determine the authenticity of this bank and if not satisfied return the bank to us for a full refund.

Below the box on this page is a link to the patent information on this bank.  Once on patent page click images.