ORIGINAL Hubley ORGAN GRINDER MONKEY BANK Cast Iron VG+

Posed upon a cast iron green platform with embossed name "Monkey Bank" is an organ grinder; a monkey wearing yellow jacket is at the other end. When a coin is placed in monkey's mouth and the lever in base pushed, the monkey leaps forward and inserts the coin in the organ bank. 

This bank was the star of my father's collection.  He was always very proud of it.  He purchased it at Bushell's Auction House, in Seattle Washington, in 1971.  The auction stickers are still on the bottom of the bank.

The bank was made by Hubley.  My father believed it was made prior to 1935, but I don't remember why.  The gold paint is still to be found, under the dirt, along the bottom. (I was able to wipe a bit of the dirt off)  I don't want to do much cleaning, as I am NOT an expert, and wish to do no harm. There is only a hint of the gold still on the embossed letters,  MONKEY BANK. 

The number 208 is debossed on the bottom, next to the auction stickers.  The key is attached to the bank with a piece of string.

EXCELLENT condition!!  It is a bit  dirty, there isn't alot of paint loss. Includes Key!!  I have included several photos, and tried to make them clear.  The flash makes the paint look a bit more "garish" than it really is.  If you have any questions, please email me. 

I have enjoyed this bank, but it is time for it to find another home with another avid bank collector, like my father was.  I am sure you will enjoy this bank.  It is the real thing!  It will make an excellent addition to any collection.

This is information I found at http://www.mechanicalbanks.org/scrapbook/1980s/griffith_pages/80-07-griffith.htm

 "Two very nice mechanical banks made prior to 1935 by Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pa., fit into the numerical classification at this point. They are the Monkey Bank, No. 286, and the Trick Dog (Type II) No. 287.

In terms of reference, prior to 1935, is used due to the fact that both banks were continued in production until World War II in the period of 1941 to 1942, which time ended the manufacture of these mechanical banks. It also marked the end of the Hubley Elephant Howdah Mechanical Bank, but more about this bank at another time. It is of interest to note that Hubley was the last of the well-known manufacturers of cast iron toys to make the old type mechanical banks as we know them. It is hard to believe that the Monkey Bank, for example, was sold by Hubley as late as 1937 for $7.50 a dozen. Their catalog for that year bears witness to this fact."

There is also more information, and pictures of another ORIGINAL HubleyOrgan Grinder Money Bank at this web site: http://www.detroithistorical.org/collections/toybanks/exhibit2/e20053a.htm

In the future I will be listing more of my father's bank collection....there literally HUNDREDS!  Let me know if you would like me to email you when I list more banks.  I am in the middle of alot of change, so I may not get to them right away.  If you are looking for anything in particular, bank wise, let me know, and I will let you know if I think he had one, and when I find it.  My goal is to make you HAPPY!!

Shipping for this item is FREE for Priority Mail, with insurance, within the US.   Other countries, please email for a shipping quote.

Insurance is MANDATORY on this item, so International Orders will have to be shipped via GLOBAL PRIORITY, because that is the only way I can insure it.

If you would like a quote for International Mail  I HAPPILY SHIP WORLDWIDE, and I ALWAYS offer combined shipping discounts! I try and get you the best price I can for shipping! Thanks for looking!!  Fran

I try to be open and up front with my shipping charges, with no hidden fees.  Charges listed are for items shipped within the US.  Other countries, please email me, and I will give you a quote.  I try to find the most economical and safe way to ship both within the US and Internationally, but please do not ask me to cheat. 

I leave positive feedback as soon as you pay me via paypal, or as soon as your payment clears if you use other payment forms.  You don't have to leave feedback for me to receive feedback from me.  I believe your positive feedback should be based on whether you pay me in a timely manner, or communicate with me if there is a problem, not on whether you leave me feedback.  On that subject, please communicate with me if there is a problem, or you have made a mistake.  I am a very reasonable person, and understand we are all human, and all make mistakes.  People have forgiven me for mistakes, and I am willing to do the same.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my auctions, and feel free to ask me any questions, even if it's not about one of my auctions.  I am always happy to help if I can.  Fran