‘Still’ Banks Maintain a High Interest
Question: You’ve answered questions in the past about mechanical banks, but don’t “still banks” also have great interest among collectors? I have a number of such banks in my collection, some, I believe, dating back 70 years or more.--H.E.
Answer: “Still banks”--that is, banks with no mechanical action--were made of a variety of materials, such as wood or pottery, before the popular cast-iron variety came along. The most popular cast-iron banks, which appeared to take off in sales in the early part of this century, were usually painted wild colors to enhance their sales appeal.
A spinoff of this popular collectible was the tin advertising bank, which was nationally distributed in the 1930s and which apparently didn’t die off until the 1960s.
Companies that produced everything from beer to baby food used these banks, which are in great demand among collectors. However, collectors say because so many of the advertising banks were produced and widely distributed, their value is usually not great.
Collectors say they look more for particular categories of banks, such as animals, rather than concentrating on any one manufacturer or trying to specialize in a type of bank, such as the cast-iron variety.
And most importantly, they say, condition counts heavily in evaluating a bank’s value. Smart bank collectors don’t try to alter the paint or any attachments.
Q: I recently bought what I believe to be a 19th-Century sampler. The New England shop where I bought it asked if I wanted the sampler reframed, because the original frame was cracked. I said no, feeling that the old frame, the original one I hope, would enhance its value. Am I correct?--C.G.
A: You made the right decision. An original frame invariably adds to a sampler’s value. It can also be your guarantee that the sampler has not been altered from the time it was completed. If it was not, the frame should fit snugly, experts say.
Samplers--stitch work created by children--usually exhibited embroidery skills on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the alphabet to poetry to maps. In fact, in many 18th- and 19th-Century classrooms, they were important learning tools for young girls.
In the last decade, collectors and dealers report, samplers have taken off in value. Condition, design and age are important factors figuring in their prices.
The roots for this type of needlework appear to go back to 16th-Century England. Many times there is a date stitched in the sampler; otherwise, collectors will have to study designs linked to different periods or consult with museum archivists.
Q: I have a rather large collection of pre-1900 envelopes (with postmarks to verify their age, of course). How far back does the widespread use of envelopes go in this country?--O.S.
A: From our research, we see that envelopes were used before 1850 but didn’t really catch on until after that time--obviously pegged to the widespread use of postage stamps.
Before then, letters were closed with sealing wax and moved through the mails without envelopes.
Collectible envelopes are also called covers by collectors looking for stamps postmarked on their first day of issue. Some of these covers, such as the colorful ones produced during the Civil War--many carrying political designs and figures--are much sought after.