Darky and Watermelon Mechanical Bank

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Morphy Auctions Proudly Presents

The Exceptional

Mechanical Bank Collection

Stephen & Marilyn Steckbeck

Lot 122 - Darky and Watermelon Mechanical Bank Cast Iron
The J. & E. Stevens Co., Cromwell, CT
Circa: 1888
Place a coin in the football. Set the man’s leg back into position as if ready to kick. Press on the spring on the man’s back. His foot will kick the football, throw it over on the watermelon, and the coin will be deposited.
Provenance: Weeder, Edwin Mosler
Early repair to one of the legs. Touch-up to jacket and arms. One of four examples known.
Near Mint
$250,000 - $300,000

The Stephen & Marilyn Steckbeck Mechanical Bank Collection

Stephen A. Steckbeck was born in 1931, at the depth of the Great Depression. About this time, mechanical banks were near the end of their production era, since there were few pennies to save.

At the age of seven, Steve viewed his first collection of mechanical banks. This stirred a desire and passion to own some of these wonderful "toys" for himself someday.

In 1954, after his marriage to Marilyn, the couple purchased their first mechanical bank at an antique fair and were on their way as collectors. In those early years of collecting, as is the case with most beginning hobbyists, they formed the core of their collection with common specimens. When they saw the Wally Tudor Collection in the mid 1960s, they became inspired to expand their collection.

From the 1970s through the 1990s, Steve and Marilyn's collection flourished as great collections were sold, including those of Edwin Mosler, Leon Perelman, F.H. Griffith, L.C. Hegarty and others. These opportunities provided the Steckbecks a chance to acquire some of the rarest and best examples known.

In May 2006, an article in Wealth magazine named Steve a consummate collector. Steve was asked to share his experience in collecting and describe how to build a fine collection. His advice was to set realistic goals, research, study, network with dealers and collectors; become an expert. Steve said that since he started collecting seriously, he has averaged at least one hour every day on building, researching and refining the collection.

The Steckbeck collection is regarded as one of the world's finest and most complete assemblages of mechanical banks.