Mechanical Toy Bank c. 1940

This illustration, created by Milton Bevier in 1940, depicts a mechanical toy bank, likely made of cast iron, in the form of a soldier aiming at a castle, a popular toy genre in the early 20th century. The soldier holds a large, stylized gun, targeting a small figure standing on the castle's wall. The soldier and castle are likely the functional components of the toy bank, with a coin slot located on the castle's wall, representing a playful, symbolic interaction between money and war. This illustration captures a snapshot of early 20th century toy design, characterized by its vibrant colors, simple, whimsical forms, and the use of familiar themes like soldiers and castles.