Harold Lloyd Bank
by F.H. Griffith - HOBBIES Magazine - March, 1977
Mechanical banks representing actual persons are few and far
between, and our choice at this time of Harold Lloyd as No. 265 in the numerical
classification fits right into this rare category. In his time, Harold Lloyd was a well
known personality as a top ranking comedy silent film star.
The bank shown represents Harold Lloyd in his younger silent film days and was made circa 1920’s. It is a quite good representation of Lloyd facially and he has his characteristic large rimmed glasses & sailor straw hat. The lithography is very well done and, while there are no markings of any kind, the bank is unquestionably of German manufacture.
Colors of the bank are quite attractive and appropriate to Harold Lloyd. He wears a yellow sailor hat with a black band, his face is flesh color with high-lightings in red and black to give definition and depth. His rather heavy eyebrows and heavy rimmed glasses are black. He has white eyes with brown iris and black pupils. His lips are red and teeth are white. He wears a blue jacket and white shirt with blue criss-crossing and plain collar. His tie is blue with white polka dots. He has a large red daisy-like flower in his lapel. His large tongue, which protrudes in operation, is red. Also in red is the entire rear box-like coin container section of the bank.
To operate the bank, the lever (left side by hat rim) is depressed. This causes the eyes to roll, the jaw to move down (opening mouth), and his tongue to stick out. A coin is placed on the protruding tongue, and on releasing the lever all parts return automatically to position as shown in the picture. As the tongue darts back inside the bank the coin falls therein. Coins are removed by means of a locking sliding top coin trap on the box-like back.
The Harold Lloyd Bank is a nice attractive item and has a bit going for it. It’s extremely hard to come by in any condition. The one shown, as a matter of fact, is the only one known so far that could be called in really extra fine condition. The bank bears marked similarities to the British Lion and several others of like configuration, all of German make.
