Mechanical Cast Iron Fisherman Money Box, USA, 1950s

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Mechanism Piggy Bank, "Fisherman," Cast Iron, 1950s – USA

An exquisite cast iron piggy bank from the 1950s, part of … Read more Mechanism Piggy Bank, "Fisherman," Cast Iron, 1950s – USA

An exquisite cast iron piggy bank from the 1950s, part of "The One That Got Away," a series of mechanically engineered piggy banks designed to amaze both children and adults.

As a way to encourage saving among children in the late 18th century, hundreds of interesting mechanism piggy bank designs were developed. To use it, a coin is placed in the fish's mouth and a lever on the right is pressed. When activated, the fisherman makes a "diving" motion with his fishing rod, and the coin falls into the barrel next to him. It is made entirely of cast iron and heavy metal, hand-painted in vibrant colors that give it a rustic, antique look. This model is based on early 20th-century designs, although many of the pieces available today are high-quality reproductions for collectors. This is the "The One That Got Away" model, inspired by the designs of iconic manufacturers like J. & E. Stevens Co. and Hubley, who popularized scenes of everyday life and sports in cast iron.

The design of these piggy banks wasn't purely aesthetic; it served very specific functions for the time. On the one hand, it aimed to encourage children to save, since seeing the fisherman "wrestling" with the fish to deposit the coin motivated them to find more coins to repeat the action. Another function, in a period without electronics, was to amaze children and adults with its engineering, using springs, levers, and gravity to create a sequence of movement. Finally, for adults who enjoy fishing, it's a humorous nod to fishing folklore, with the classic story of the fish that gets away.

Type: Piggy Bank

Material: Cast Iron

Period: 1950s

Country: United States
Good condition considering its age and use

Dimensions: 17 x 18 x 10 cm See less