-Hoop-La Bank- mechanical bank c. 1897 - 1929

This cast-iron mechanical bank, produced by John Harper & Company, Ltd., between 1897 and 1929, depicts a clown and a dog performing a trick. The clown holds a stick while the dog jumps over it, landing in a barrel. This playful and nostalgic design exemplifies the popularity of mechanical banks during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving as both toys and educational tools for children to learn about saving money. The "Hoop-La Bank" is a prime example of the artistic and whimsical nature of these early American mechanical banks.