What I Collect

There are approximately 500 known casting variations of cast iron safe banks. When I decided to focus my collecting energy on this style of still bank there was not a lot of information available. My interest grew into an obsession that came to fruition in 2018 with the publication of my book titled The Safe Bank Book. While I do not add many new safe discoveries to the shelf, they still form the backbone of my collection.

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My primary interest is two different styles of Banks that were made in AUSTRIA circa 1900-1915. The first style is detailed and primarily found in a brown glaze that provides visual depth. The second are more primitive in form and are found in a variety of colors. Tom Stoddard, in his book Ceramic Coin Banks, coined the name “Four Color Pottery (FCP)” for this style of bank. The four regularly found colors are Green, Dark Brown, Tan, and a Mustard Yellow. Occasionally a fifth color example may be found in Blue.

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These items were not sold, but provided to a customer to encourage interest in a specific business, service, or product. In addition to banks, premiums include whistles, trivets, calendars and paperweights. Figural paperweights are a related collecting interest.

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