This is an authentic, large-scale antique cast iron still penny bank known as "Fido on Pillow," manufactured by the renowned Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the 1920s.

The piece features a stylized black-and-white puppy (Fido) with a vibrant red collar sitting upright on an ornate, tasseled bolster pillow. The cushion base is molded with intricate floral and scroll details, featuring individual painted red blossoms on a textured background. A classic coin slot is cleanly cast on top of the puppy's head.

This specific example boasts an impressive provenance, originating from the highly regarded Tom Kellogg Collection. It features exceptional weight and presence for a still bank, weighing 3 lbs 9.8 oz, with a base measuring 7.5" x 6" and standing 5.5" tall. The bank is constructed in three separate, heavy cast pieces (two halves for the dog and a standalone hollow-cast base plate for the pillow) secured by an original internal screw mechanism.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hubley Manufacturing Co.

• Origin: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

• Era/Age: Circa 1920s (often referenced across 1914–1930s production)

• Material: Heavy Cast Iron (Foundry Molded)

• Dimensions: 5.5" Height | Base: 7.5" Width x 6" Depth

• Weight: 3 lbs 9.8 oz

• Provenance: Tom Kellogg Collection

Literature Reference

This historic pattern is a documented design by the Hubley Manufacturing Company. You can find this exact bank listed and illustrated for collectors in the definitive reference guide:

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

• Author: Andy Moore and Susan Moore

• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing

• Page Reference: Pattern identified as the large variant "Fido on Pillow" (Typically referenced under the Hubley animal sections/catalog lists detailing the 3-piece assembly).

Condition Report

• Overall: Very Good antique condition, retaining a wonderful historical patina.

• Surface/Paint: Features an original, dry, untouched paint surface showing honest, age-appropriate wear. There is classic micro-alligatoring, minor flaking, and paint loss predominantly on the high points of Fido's head, paws, and muzzle, exposing a dark oxidized iron patina underneath.

• Structure: No cracks, breaks, splits, or structural repairs to the cast iron. The two vertical halves of the dog fit closely together with the typical slight foundry gap common to authentic period pieces.

• Hardware: Retains its historical assembly screw firmly holding the multi-piece unit together through the bottom heart-shaped indentation of the base plate.

• Patina Note: The original surface has been strictly preserved; no cleaning, polishing, or touch-ups have been applied to preserve the historical integrity.

Authenticity Assessment

• Seam Alignment and Tightness: The casting seams on the dog show clean, consistent factory tolerances. While there is a slight structural gap near the shoulder, the seam edges are precise and do not exhibit the rough, mismatched gaps seen in modern recasts.

• Surface Texture: The interior cast iron texture visible via the under-base shows a smooth, high-quality foundry finish typical of Hubley's superior sand-molding techniques. It lacks the pebble-like, granular texture found on cheap reproductions.

• Paint Characteristics: Natural oil-based paint degradation, including legitimate age-crazing and layered oxidation that cannot be easily replicated.

• Weight & Dimensions: At 3 lbs 9.8 oz, the mass matches the heavy gauge required of a true early 20th-century Hubley casting.

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

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