Mechanical banks from the collection of Stephen and Marilyn Steckbeck skyrocketed to $7.7 million at Morphy Auctions on Saturday, October 27. Members of the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America, celebrating the group’s 50th anniversary, were out in force to participate in the sale of this well-known assemblage, widely considered to be one of the best in private hands.

“Jonah and The Whale †Jonah Emerges” topped the 500-lot auction. Manufactured in the late 1880s by the J&E Stevens Company of Cromwell, Conn., the colorfully painted cast iron amusement garnered $414,000 including premium, an auction record for the form. 

“We believe this to be the highest grossing single day for a toy sale anywhere in the world,” said Dan Morphy, CEO, of Adamstown Antique Gallery and chief operating officer of Morphy Auctions. 

A complete review of the auction will appear in a future issue. ‼i>LBB