Info on this baseball bank?

[ullmandds]

Does anyone know anything about this approx 6"...cast iron bank?

Is it old? Any value?

[aelefson]

Hi-
It is thought to be circa 1910 and many sellers claim it was made to look like Ty Cobb. I have seen ones in better shape than the one you posted sell at flea markets and antique shops around 200.00. I think one in amazing condition would sell for close to 1000.00. I have no idea where the circa 1910 comes from or the Cobb resemblance (extremely slight in my opinion) but these descriptions accompany almost every example I see for sale.

I am not an expert in this so my values may be out of whack but should provide a little guidance. In the condition you posted if you can buy it for less than 75.00 it is a good price.

Good Luck,
Alan

[ullmandds]

Thanks a lot alan.

[deebro041]

From research i have done in the past they are made by A.C. Williams Company, Ravenna, Ohio circa 1909. Made of cast iron, some i've seen are painted a gold look, bronze look, and some red and blue. Sometimes the screws have been replaced, lowering value. I also agree not much resemblance to Cobb.
Hope this helps.

[HRBAKER]

Looks like Joe Jackson to me.

[deebro041]

Here's a couple pics of one i found for $10.

[murphusa]

these too have been remade

[ullmandds]

Well...it looks like I won this old...rusty...joe jackson of a bank!!!!!!!!

[mjkm90]

There are two versions of this bank and they all sell for $125 to $200. People have tried to attribute them to a particular player (usually Cobb) but that is wishful thinking. The rarer of the two is a bit chubbier and shorter and has a square bolt countersunk in his backside with a flat head screw in his abdomen. The more common version is slightly thinner and has a flat head screw in the back.

The glossy example in the post is a repro. You can tell based on how poorly the fronts and backs of the legs match up. The originals fit well and were painted cast metal.