Cast iron cat bank/doorstop Vintage or Repro?

[dumpsterdiver]

Picked this up the other day. Two other people I know that hunt the thrift store looked at it. One said it was a repro because of the big seam. I greatly respect his opinions in general. I had read that before myself but the seam didn't look so big to me. Or I should say I've seen those reproduced mechanical banks with huge seems on a straight line. I thought well this has a curve. And you can see where someone ground down what looks like a weld on the tail and on the feet. Thats a lot of effort for a reproduction. The other person thought it was vintage. Two other people felt compelled to stick their heads in my cart and ask if I was an antique dealer. I never know how to answer this. In the older auctions they are listed as Hubley doorstops. This appears to be a bank. They seem to have sold in the past between $15-150 depending on the color etc. Thats a big difference. Thanks 90% of things I see like this I leave so if anyone has insight into cast iron I would appreciate it.

 

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[Lost&Found]

In researching a Hubley Fox terrier that I picked I read that a telltale sign of a repro is the type of screw used is a Phillips head. Also, yours from the pictures has an aged patina. Does a magnet stick to it? Any areas of rust?

I tend to think its vintage from the pictures.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

that wear pattern on the bottom of the paws is difficult to recreate...

 

[dieselram94]

Very cool bank. Cast iron is so cool! It looks vintage to me based on the overall wear of the item, especially the large flat head screw that holds it together. Either way old or not it is still cool!

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[dumpsterdiver]

Thanks for the help. It is cool and it keeps looking at me.

 

[gunsil]

Looks modern to me.

 

[Lost&Found]

Here is an example of a modern cast iron Saddleback Pig Bank that I picked for $5.
Even though modern they retail for about $70 online.

The screws are phillip head, the seams are straight and wide, the paint is fresh and the edges of the metal are angular and crisp.

 

[Keppy]

View attachment 924272View attachment 924273View attachment 924275………………………nice find ************

 

[austin]

Really nice find and very old. Used to sell those old banks in our antique store. Sold instantly. Yours is cute and in great demand...

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Here is an example of a modern cast iron Saddleback Pig Bank that I picked for $5.
Even though modern they retail for about $70 online.

The screws are phillip head, the seams are straight and wide, the paint is fresh and the edges of the metal are angular and crisp.

Thanks for those photos, I can definitely see a difference. I'm always trying to figure out ways to judge a piece that don't include the paint job. And yes a magnet does stick to it. The edges of mine are ground pretty smooth and not crisp. Funny the only reproduced depression glass I've come across had pretty crisp edges.

 

[diggummup]

I personally don't know if it's old or not, it looks old. I did find a photo of what appears to be the same Siamese cat bank as yours.
Lot of 2 Cast-Iron Banks: : Lot 1890

 

[Lost&Found]

Here's a similar one I found listed on ebay

Nice Hubley Cast Iron Cat Door Stop Still Bank No Reserve | eBay

 

[diggummup]

Here's a similar one I found listed on ebay

Nice Hubley Cast Iron Cat Door Stop Still Bank No Reserve | eBay

Cool. That one shows the seams which look identical.

 

[dumpsterdiver]

Ill be watching that auction closely. The other one estimated between $100 and $1000 I guess I could work for an auction house with ranges like that.

 

[diggummup]

The other one estimated between $100 and $1000 I guess I could work for an auction house with ranges like that.

The pair sold for $175 last June to an internet bidder.