Vintage Midcentury Modern Duro Mechanical Penny Strato Bank Rocket to the Moon
Description: A beautiful vintage metal painted midcentury modern mechanical penny bank from the 1950s-1960s. The bank depicts a rocket or space ship heading to the moon with a red catapult on top of it. The catapult sends pennies into a slot in the face of the [ball-shaped moon. The rocket and the moon are sitting on an elevated base where the coins would be stored. The bottom of the base has a door which would open to withdraw the pennies. The bank comes with out the original key needed to open the door. However, we will send a replacement key with the bank which can be made to work to unlock the door. It is not the best fit but it works. The entire piece is painted in a light blue metallic coloring which gives it the midcentury modern look. The sides of the storage base have labels one of which is almost entirely lost and the other read "DETROIT POSTAL EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION DETROIT MICHIGAN". Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Additional Information: According the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum website the "...Strato model metal bank manufactured by Duro Pattern & Mold Co. of Highland Park (Detroit), Michigan comes from a design that was patented in 1953. The space-themed design of the bank included a mechanism that allowed the owner to shoot coins (pennies, nickels, or dimes) from the rocket into a slot in the Moon on the bank. The coins could be retrieved through a hatch on the underside of the bank. Created to be distributed as a premium by local commercial banks, the Strato included an adhesive sticker that advertised the gifting institution, in this case the.." Detroit Postal Employees Credit Union Detroit Michigan.
Date: Unknown but most likely sometime in the 1950's-1960's.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania USA.
Size: Bank's base measures ~7 1/2" by ~2" and the bank measures ~3 1/4" at its highest point. The piece weighs about one pound and 2 ounces.
Maker: Duro Pattern & Mold Co. of Highland Park (Detroit), Michigan.
Marks: The piece is marked "DURO 100" on the bottom, "STRATO BANK" on the side of the base, XU 232 on both sides of the front of the rocket.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a nice example of this very desirable midcentury modern bank. It would display very well and make a nice addition to your collection.
Condition: The bank is in very good lightly used condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. It maintains most of its original paint with minimum loss with a few minor scratches. It has a few minor spots where you can see the bare metal, it has lost one of the stickers on the side of the base, and is lightly soiled. Be that as it may the piece is beautiful and would display very well. The bank does not come with its original key. However, we will include a replacement key with the bank which can be made to work to unlock the hatch in the bottom of the base. It is not the best fit but it works with some patience. Please view photos carefully for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of this great piece.
