Antique Cast Iron Bronzed Arcade "Majestic" Radio Still Penny Bank
Description: Antique and very nice cast iron bank in the form of a Majestic early Cabinet Radio. This bank is cast in the form of an early radio with four legs supporting it. The front has the shape of two dials, a needle window, and a speaker area. There is the name Majestic in italics on the edge of the bottom skirt of the Cornish on top of the legs supporting the radio. The radio is bronzed and has a nice brownish golden patina. This bank was produced in the period 1932-1934 by the Arcade company of Freeport, IL, USA. The bank has a steel back held in place with the original screw, which we chose not to open and hence we did not see what maybe on the inside. This bank is all original and retains quite a bit of its original bronzed finish. This bank shows nice details of the radio from the knobs and the logo on the front, to shape of the legs supporting the radio. Just very nice and unusual. The slot to insert the coin is on the back near the top. This is a very nice-looking penny or coin bank in very good condition. Please see page 101 in Andy and Susan Moor's Book "The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks" Published by Schiffer Books in 1984, for a photo of a similar example (bank #827). Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Early 1930s
Origin: Made in the USA.
Size: The bank measures ~4 1/2" high, is ~2 3/4" wide on top and ~1 5/8" deep on top. The piece weighs slightly over one pound one ounce.
Maker: Arcade Toy.
Marks: Has the number 831 in raised lettering on the back of the Cornish supporting the radio. It alsoo has the number 831R on the back of the bracket connecting the two right legs and the number 831L on the back of the bracket connecting the two left legs. We choose not to open the bank (the bank's backing is held to its body with a special screw for which we do not have a screw driver) so we do not know if the bank has any marking on the inside.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a great penny bank in very good condition, which would make a nice addition to your collection.
Condition: The bank is in very good condition. It has no chips, cracks, breaks, or repairs. It is all original but shows some very minor losses to the finish. The exterior has a few minor scratches and bumps as well as some minor defect to the finish in the form of pimples and raised lines of finish. These are original to the making of the piece. The screw holding the bank together appears to be original as are all the bank's parts. The back appears to be slightly loose and jiggles when the bank is shaken. This is a minor issue mentioned here for completeness. Other than that, the bank is solid, intact, and in very good condition after being around for 90 years. Please view photos to appreciate the beauty of the bank and for additional condition information.
