Yank bank

[sicollector1954]

So I just picked up a small bank which is shaped like a baseball (white)..On the front it says New York Yankees in the center in red and also Lou Gehrig on the left side in red and Bill Dickey on the right side in red. It also came with a newspaper cut out ad (no date) where you could send in to purchase one of these for $1.00 to Yankee Products Co. in Ashbury Park, NJ. Can anyone tell me if these were produced in the 30's---40's---50's---or perhaps 60's and an approximate value…sorry no pictures yet…
Thanks.

[perezfan]

Nice piece, and somewhat rare. You do see them from time to time. Value depends largely on condition. The red paint rubbed off pretty easily, so often the graphics and/or laces are compromised. Value ranges from $100 - $400, depending on condition. I've seen them go for over $500, in Mint condition and with the original Box included.

Regarding the timing, I would guess late '30s through perhaps early '40s. Maybe someone here can pinpoint it to an exact year.

[Butch7999]

Hi, banks are a little outside our game-collecting wheelhouse, but we did note a sale of what we're sure is identical to your example --
nine years ago at Lelands, about $270. including the box (shown). It was described there as "1930s," but it looks 1950s-ish to us...

bbbankYankBankYankeeProducts30ab.jpg

[sicollector1954]

Yes…that is it….Thanks…mine is mint amazingly but no box.

[Butch7999]

Just a further thought on a date of manufacture... the graphics and typography on the box definitely have a late-'50s, even early-'60s look,
to our eyes... but we can't think of any reason Gehrig and Dickey would be paired on a promotional item from that era...
1936 or '37, when Gehrig and Dickey were 1st and 5th, then 4th and 5th, respectively, in AL MVP voting, makes way more sense...

[sicollector1954]

I agree…why after 1943 or even 1941 for that matter would there be any reason to promote these 2 players? Also, in the ad…there was also one for the Cardinals…not other mention of any other teams you could send in for….have never seen one of these….I will post a couple of pics in the next couple of days…and maybe part with it in the near future as well as the ad. Thanks.

[Nashvol]

I have a collection of similar "milk glass" banks for the Nashville Vols. I've also seen the for the Knoxville Smokies, Detroit Tigers, and I believe the Cleveland Indians. Mobil Oil was some sort of sponsor since their logo is on mine; I'm guessing they were a giveaway at gas stations in the 1950s.

I don't recall seeing the Yankees one posted before...