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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 1
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 2
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 3
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 4
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 5
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 6
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 7
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 8
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 9
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 10
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 11
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  • Antique Uncle Sam Moneybox Coin Bank, Cast Iron, C.1920s, Complete & Working 12
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Description

Frequently seen as an emblem of American fiscal wisdom today, when these Uncle Sam moneyboxes were introduced by the Shepard Hardware Company of Buffalo, New York in 1886 the US Government was not very popular among large swathes of the public - though the nation was rapidly industrialising and the business owners were becoming extremely wealthy, it was a time of great hardship for unskilled workers, especially in the South which was still suffering the after-effects of the Civil War and, throughout the country, even more especially for those who happened to be black. Being more educated than ever before and as a result less likely to accept the status quo, the poor saw the rich getting richer and they weren't happy about it: these moneyboxes were not about being clever savers, but a satirical comment on Uncle Sam taking away a portion of the workers' hard-earned wages in the form of taxation for his own use.

The moneyboxes, or coin banks as they're more often known in the USA, on the other hand were extremely popular despite their relatively high price of a dollar - equivalent to around $32 today. For that reason, as soon as they were able to do so without the Shepard Hardware Company suing them, just about every other company capable of producing cast iron started making their own, often using moulds made directly from an original Shephard item. This means that there are a very large number of older examples around, in varying degrees of quality (and in fact it's still possible to buy a brand new one made in the Far East to this day), and also makes them notoriously difficult to identify and accurately date.

Much as we'd have loved this example to be an original Shephard moneybox, it's very unlikely to be one - Shephard had a reputation for excellent quality both in their castings, manufacture and paintwork (hence that high price), whereas this one's parts don't fit closely together and the casting is not first-rate; it would also seem that at least the majority of originals were fitted with a hinged rear panel on the base complete with a small lock and key, whereas ours has a simple hole in the base.

The real decider for would be a stamp on the base stating "PAT. JUNE 8, 1886" (and the real decider against would be a stamp saying "Made in China" or "Made in Korea", which appears on some reproductions); ours has something stamped on the base but it's extremely indistinct and impossible to read. However, the majority of reproductions, especially the Far Eastern ones, are considerably lighter than originals, being made more cheaply of much thinner iron, and very often manufacturing costs were cut by omitting the moving lower jaw - ours weighs 2.145kg (4.7lb) and, when the button is pressed, his jaw moves correctly. It seems likely, then, that he's an early and good quality reproduction, made by an unknown company and almost certainly from a mould taken from an original item.

Standing 27cm (10.75 inches) on an 11.7 x 9.1cm (4.6 x 3.55 inches) base, he remains in very good condition despite his age with just enough wear around the edges to suggest the paintwork may be original even if it's not as carefully-applied as on a Shephard item. He still has his green umbrella which, as a separately cast piece, is often lost and, when the button on the base is pressed, his US bag opens, his jaw moves and his right arm moves downward to drop the coin placed in it into the bag where it slides down into the base. The mechanism inside is in very good order with plenty of tension in the spring, so that all the moving parts move back into place as intended.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments made through one of eBay's many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Retail Hub Sawston Map
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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.

© 2017 Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. All rights reserved A registered Charity No 1133354