They started in the 60s, but I couldn’t find a lot of information. So I thought along with the photo I would include a couple commercials that you’ll enjoy! Ah yes…. nostalgic memories 🙂
… and perfect for the coming Halloween Season is this fun video ad
Stop by soon and see what fun Soaky Toys we may have and give yourself time to browse the rest of our 2200 sq. ft store!
Reproductions available at Bahoukas Antiques include the dentist by Stephens, the skeleton – not sure, the black guy is a J&E Steven and the black girl is by John Harper. Original mechanical, cast iron banks were manufactured in the 1800s and created to encourage children to save their money. These banks are frequently referred to as ‘penny banks.’
The golden age of American cast iron banks lasted from 1869 to 1910. There are two types of these banks — still and mechanical. Still banks are primarily repositories and usually take the form of an animal or human figure with a coin slot. Mechanical banks have moving parts and springs and a sequence of movements can be triggered either by simply depositing a coin or more commonly by depositing a coin and pulling a lever. from Tribstar.com
J&E Stevens Company started in 1843 to manufacture cast-iron hardware, hammers, and a few iron toys.
A turning point in the company’s development came in 1869 with the production of their first cast-iron mechanical bank. This bank, featuring a monkey that popped out of building, inspired numerous competitors to produce similar products and helped create a new genre of product that blended art and function in ways that sparked the imagination and ingenuity of designers. In fact, between 1869 and 1890, the J & E Stevens Company produced more than 300 different models of mechanical banks. from Connecticut History
WWI created a need for the iron to support the war efforts, essentially ending the company. But the 1920s brought renewed interest in the cast-iron mechanical banks.
Toy collecting, which became popular in the 1920s, exploded in the post-war era thanks to increases in spendable income. Today, original cast-iron banks and toys from the J & E Stevens Company sell for thousands of dollars. The enduring value of these products is a testament to the quality and ingenuity that helped make Connecticut the nation’s leading toy producer for much of the 19th century. from Connecticut History
Along with unique cast-iron mechanical banks, we also have a wonderful selection of other banks for saving those coins. Start a great habit for your children and start them early. Stop by and browse our selection at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Coca Cola has been a part of the Havre de Grace economy for decades. Here’s a small news clip (3rd column a little more than half-way down the page) from the Midland Journal that describes the plant managed by J. C. Hebditch. The date was November 1, 1940. It reads:
Coca Cola By Hebditch
Adhering to the fine principles of production which make Coca Cola the nation’s outstanding drink, the Coca Cola Bottling works has grown rapidly under the management of J. C. Hebditch, who established the plant 17 years ago (1923). It is located in Havre de Grace, on Juniata St.The modern plant sterilizes every bottle and distrbutes its products throughout the Harford and Cecil counties, keeping service above par at all times. A call for a case of Coca Cola receives prompt attention, with gas and soda orders also filled on prompt schedule.
-The Midland Journal, Friday, November 1, 1940
Another interesting news clip re: J. C. Hebditch of Havre de Grace Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Rotarian Offers Land For Swimming Pool HAVRE DE GRACE, Md., Sept. 27, 1944 – from The News Journal from Wilmington, DE – J. C. Hebditch, a soft drink company representative for Maryland, has offered a tract of land on the dual highway opposite the Chesapeake Courts for a swimming pool and also has donated $100 toward the $2,000 needed for the civic enterprise. The Havre de Grace Rotary Club, of which Mr. Hebditch is a member, will sponsor the project and has agreed to return all money donations if the pool is not built within eight months after the goal has been reached.
Click here for some fun history from the World of Coca Cola website.
Are you a collector? You might want to check out this page from Coke’s Website!
With Father’s Day weekend upon, we want to remind you that we have 9,000 sq. ft. of antiques and collectibles. We KNOW there’s a perfect gift for “dad” here!
From fishing lures to baseball memorabilia, Military items to coin collections, tools to toys!
Yes, dads have lots of memories of toys they played with as kids. Maybe a youngster wants to buy an old toy and have Dad play and share those stories – creating new memories!
We want to remind you that July 15th is the next night that the Dead of Night Paranormal Investigators will be here. We’ve had a new entity introduce himself. Reserve your spot and maybe this new spirit will share more about himself on July 15th!
Have a wonderful Father’s Day Celebration!
Joseph’s Department Store in historic, downtown Havre de Grace celebrated their 80th year in business. As they prepared for their celebration, Bahoukas was lucky enough to get some awesome riding toys.
This beautiful red scooter is in wonderful condition, never used. It’s from Radio Line and the 1950s.
This Mercury blue tricycle by Murray is a 1950s collectible in excellent condition.
We showed you the stuffed horse and jockey in a previous post. But check the amazing
stuffed animal that sits on the tricycle, also in mint condition. You must know a young
child who would absolutely LOVE either of these riding toys!
Whether it’s your back yard sandbox, a little garden spot, or the sunny beach,
these cute and collectible, metal, Donald Duck, Disney-Character buckets and shovels
make a perfect toy. A little rust due to age, but otherwise in excellent condition.
A tiny one (maybe holds a couple cups) and a larger one – probably a quart size.
Made at the Ohio Art Company in Bryan, Ohio
These original items are from 1938.
Proudly made in the USA
1950s Wild West Bank!George always gets excited when he finds any treasures representing Havre de Grace history!
This Wild West Bank c1950′s came from the Havre de Grace National Bank on St John Street. The building is now La Banque de Fleuve – a stunning, special events venue in historic downtown Havre de Grace. We’ll point you to their direction – just a block away – when you stop in for a visit.
