Ingeniously designed around 1890 by renowned mechanical‑bank creator Charles A. Bailey for the J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, Connecticut, the Original Bad Accident Mechanical Bank remains one of the most iconic and desirable cast‑iron mechanical banks ever produced.
This cleverly engineered bank depicts a mule‑drawn wagon, its driver distracted while enjoying a slice of watermelon. As a child darts out from behind a bush, the startled mules rear, the wagon overturns, and the driver is thrown backward—an elaborate action sequence that showcases the exceptional mechanical artistry for which Stevens banks are celebrated.
This example features excellent original paint, vibrant and untouched, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Remarkably, it retains its original coin trap, a component that is almost always missing on surviving examples.
Highly sought after by advanced collectors, the Bad Accident bank is widely regarded as one of the finest and most imaginative cast‑iron mechanical banks of the late 19th century. Its combination of humor, motion, and craftsmanship makes it an essential addition to any serious mechanical‑bank collection.
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