The Clown on Globe Mechanical Bank, manufactured circa 1890 by the famed J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut, stands as one of the most imaginative and visually striking cast‑iron mechanical banks of the Victorian era. Based on U.S. Patent No. 428,450, issued to James H. Bowen on May 20, 1890, the bank shares its ingenious internal mechanism with Bowen’s other celebrated creation, the Girl Skipping Rope. Both banks are prized for their complex, highly kinetic action—an engineering achievement far ahead of its time.
This example features the desirable brown base and the round Stevens coin trap, both correct for early production. The bank retains completely original paint, showing strong color and detail, and remains in superb working order. Even more impressive, it has no touch‑ups, chips, cracks, or repairs, a rarity for a bank with such delicate moving parts.
The Clown on Globe is widely regarded as one of the most graphically appealing and mechanically captivating of all American cast‑iron mechanical banks. Its whimsical design—featuring a clown balancing atop a textured globe—captures the charm and theatricality of late‑19th‑century circus culture. When activated, the clown performs a lively motion that delights collectors and showcases the sophisticated craftsmanship for which Stevens was known.
Because of its intricate mechanism and fragile components, high‑grade, all‑original examples are scarce. This specimen, with its untouched paint, flawless operation, and correct original parts, represents a museum‑quality example of one of the most unusual and artistic mechanical banks ever produced.
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