This is an exceptional, completely original early 20th-century cast iron still bank manufactured by the Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois. Known as the "World Times Clock" bank, this clever novelty piece features a columnar desk-clock shape. The top display mimics a main pocket watch style clock face featuring "Washington" time with the integrated coin slot, secured via a single large original machine screw down the center.

The two main vertical sides each feature six circular cutout windows (twelve windows total) that expose the original factory-printed paper scroll insert. This internal paper cylinder lists various global cities and their respective times relative to Washington D.M. (District of Columbia/Washington Time). Visible cities include New York, Panama, Havana, Halifax, Lisbon, London, Greenwich, Manila, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Bombay, Honolulu, Dawson/Alaska, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, Cairo, Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Calcutta, and Rome.

The base of the bank is perforated with a grid of breathing/viewing holes and features the original standard square-headed iron bolt assembly holding the halves together. This piece showcases excellent casting details, tight structural seams, and an incredible dry, untouched original surface.

Item Specifications

• Manufacturer: Arcade Manufacturing Co.

• Origin: Freeport, Illinois, USA

• Approximate Age: Circa 1910

• Material: Cast Iron (housing), Paper (internal time dial scroll)

• Dimensions: Approximately 4" Height x 2.6" Width x 2.6" Depth

• Weight: 1 lb (454 grams)

Condition Report

• Overall Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

• Surface/Patina: The cast iron retains a dark, rich, uniform oxidized dry original surface with an incredible historic patina. It has not been cleaned, oiled, wire-brushed, or chemically altered, preserving the historical integrity of the metal.

• Paper Insert: The fragile internal paper insert is present, completely original, and intact. There are typical age-related drying, light tattering, and small surface splits visible in some windows, but the printing remains legible and beautifully aged.

• Hardware: Retains the original central top slot screw and bottom square-headed locking machine bolt. Seams fit tightly with no warping, cracks, breaks, or repairs.

Authenticity Assessment

First, the casting shows excellent gate-mark finishing and crisp, smooth edges without the rough, pebbly texture found on modern reproductions. Second, the structural seams fit remarkably flush and tight, typical of Arcade's high-standard precision mold-fitting. Third, the internal paper insert displays genuine, natural oxidation, correct period typography, and micro-aging consistent with over a century of environmental exposure, rather than artificial staining. Finally, the hardware consists of a true period-correct square-headed iron nut and bolt configuration on the base, establishing this as a 100% authentic, unmodified period casting.

Reference

• Book Title: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks

• Author: Andy Moore

• Page Reference: Page 130 (Listed/Illustrated under Arcade Clock/Novelty Banks section)

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