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Included with Bank: Framed Patent Drawing, Original Cabinet Card/Trade Advertising Card/Product Instruction Card in excellent condition and 10 turn of the century coins (1884 Indian Head Penny, 1891 Indian Head Penny, 8 Lincoln Pennies dated 1908, 1910, 1911, 1919 and 4 with hard to read dates).
Working condition!
This has been passed down within one family from generation to generation and without a member of the next generation, is ready to be passed to a new conservator. Originally purchased in 1888 in Cincinnati, Ohio as a birthday present for the Seller's Grandfather, L.H. Wente, on his 6th Birthday. The original bank/coin plug in the bottom of the bank remains and the mechanisms still work to this day.
Some History on L.H. Wente (the 6 year old boy mentioned above): L. H. Wente (of Wente Electric Company) was the inventor of the first electrically powered refrigerator. He sold the manufacturing rights to what would come to be Fridgidaire. (Alfred Mellowes of Guardian Frigerator Company in Fort Wayne, IN).
Designed by James H. Bowen and distributed by the J. & E. Stevens Company, the Darktown Battery bank is a famous if not controversial piece of 19th Century Americana. While some see it as as a tribute to America’s first professional Negro Baseball League, others point to the heavily stereotyped appearance of the figures, common for the racial insensitivity of the time. The “National Colored Baseball League" was formed in 1887. It was the formation of this league that probably influenced the Stevens Company to produce the Darktown Battery bank a year later, "battery" referring to the combination of a pitcher and catcher. It's one of the most collectible pieces of the late 19h Century for several reasons, first and foremost is its crossover appeal to baseball, Black Americana, cast iron toy and bank collectors, but also because of the sophisticated mechanism on which it operates. Place the coin in the pitcher's hand and he slings it toward the catcher, who moves his head forward and deposits the money as the batter lifts his arms and turns his head to watch the pitch. A lot of moving parts yet remarkably resilient, as you'd expect from a heavy cast iron creation. There is typical discoloration and paint loss on the surfaces and admirably good red and yellow color for it's age and is in working condition.
Dark Town Battery is a mechanical bank collector’s dream. It has three characters, all of whom move. Mechanical banks that have three characters are rare, but one that has three moving characters is a truly rare design. The pitcher pitches a coin that has been placed in his right hand to a catcher that lifts his mitt, thus allowing the pitched coin to hit a flap on the catcher’s chest. This deposits the coin in the bank. While the pitcher and catcher (a battery) are performing these acts, the batter lifts his arms and his head moves as if he is watching an inside pitch go by.
This bank, designed by James H. Bowen, was patented and first produced in 1888 by J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Conn. – and is a piece of its time.
An original era and standard version of Dark Town Battery appeared in a 1997 episode of Antiques Roadshow. The bank was in great condition; the appraiser stated it was the “best Dark Town Battery I have ever seen” and appraised it at $15,000-$20,000. The show re-aired the item in 2012 with an increased value of $25,000. While Dark Town Battery is a piece that can be controversial given the historical background, the item remains relevant. It is an exemplary instance of American culture, politics, pop culture, race relations, and baseball, all coming together to show the complexity of this period in American history.
Shipping available and must be coordinated with Auctioneer. Shipping and related fees (TBD) must be paid by the winning bidder prior to items being shipped. Auction Company is NOT RESPONSIBLE for Loss or Damage during shipping.
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