Item Details:

TRICK DOG CAST IRON MECHANICAL BANK

SHEPARD HARDWARE CO., BUFFALO, NY

AMERICAN FOLK ART, circa 1888

Cast Iron, Polychrome

Size: 8.7 x 7.9 x 2.9 in; 22.1 x 20.0 x 7.3 cm

“PAT. JULY 31, 1888” is stamped on its base plate. However, apparently no U.S. design patent was issued on the bank.

Directions for use: Place a coin in the little dog’s mouth, press the lever and he will jump through the clown’s hoop and drop your deposit into the barrel.

The TRICK DOG is unique because it is the only bank sold by Shepard that was later produced by someone other than the J. & E. Stevens Company. Two later versions of this item were made by the Hubley Toy Company of Lancaster, Pa.

The Shepard TRICK DOG BANK utilizes a 6-part base that is held together by two slot-head screws. The side plates are painted red with yellow trim and the bank shows off Shepard’s typical attention to artistic detail. An original wooden box exists that contained a Shepard TRICK DOG. It says, “one complete ‘TRICK DOG’ savings bank Excelsior Series ― S.H. Company. 98¢.” (The original Shepard base plate is 8-11/16" in length.)

Relatively little is known about the Shepard Hardware Company. They were obviously in the business of designing and selling hardware items, as were some of the other producers of cast iron mechanical banks.

In any event, Shepard entered into the mechanical bank field in about 1882 and available information indicates they sold out their line of toy banks in 1892. The impact Shepard had on the mechanical bank market was astounding when you consider the fact they were able to design, patent, produce, and effectively distribute 15 high quality banks within a time span of only about 10 years.

Provenance: Private collection, New York City from whom the current owner obtained the work