This is an all original Boys Stealing Watermelons cast iron mechanical bank in fantastic condition. This small & charming bank was manufactured by the Kyser & Rex Company of Frankford, Pennsylvania. The bank is circa 1880's-1890's or so.

The bank is all original in all respects & it is complete & in perfect operating condition. The bank measures approximately 6 5/8" across the base by approximately 5" tall by approximately 1 1/8" thick. This example is guaranteed entirely original in all respects. This specimen is definitely in the running for one the finest know condition examples of this bank to have ever been found. There are no chips, & no repairs, no replaced parts. The only defect is a tiny thin tight hairline crack which is located at the base of the fence. Please note the closeup pic of this minute flaw as it shows on the back of the fence. The crack is also present on the front at the base of the fence. But, it is much harder to see on the front & we cannot get the tiny flaw to show up in pics of the front. Otherwise, except for this tiny flaw, the bank is in truly amazing condition.

All of the paint is entirely original in all respects. There is no touchup to the paint. All of the paint is especially thick, & rich, & wonderful looking. There is just a little wear to the paint here & there from use. But, overall the vast majority of the original paint is present on the bank. Even the activating lever has the great majority of its original paint intact. In over 40 years of buying mechanical banks this is the finest condition example of this bank that we have ever personally seen offered for sale anywhere publically or privately. The bank has an "F. H. Griffith Mechanical Bank Collection 2000" sticker underneath the base which was present years ago when we acquired the bank. Also present when we acquired the bank was a receipt from F.H.Griffith on his stationery which says "Boys Stealing Watermelons The writer's example of Boys Stealing Watermelons is one of the finest known examples 100% original in near mint condition.

The bank came from the collection of Ina Bellows and is the only bank that the writer has never wanted to upgrade. F. H. Griffith". Please bid on this item based on the merits of the bank itself (which we absolutely & completely guarantee) without the documentation (which is included free with the bank) as we did not acquire this item directly from Griffith & we did not have the pleasure of viewing the bank in either the Ina Bellows or the F.H.Griffith collections. The precise & wonderful condition of the bank is clearly shown in the pics.

We guarantee this item to be original as described & we offer a full & prompt refund if you are not satisfied & if the item is returned in the same condition within 3 days of receipt. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to ask. Buyer pays $60.00 for U.S. mail registered insured. PA residents add 6% sales tax or provide a valid resale number. Immediate shipment upon receipt of familiar money orders or cashier's checks. Allow 14 days (at seller's option) to clear prior to shipment on receipt of personal or unfamiliar checks or money orders. Shipping to other countries will be more & will be buyer's responsibility. Of course, multiple purchases at the same time will save on shipping as they can be combined. We adhere to all U.S. customs laws on foreign shipments. We do not over or underlist values on customs slips.