DENVER, PENN. – Bank collectors all over the world spent most of Saturday, January 14, on their computers or near a phone to compete for 516 lots of still and mechanical banks from the Peter and Joanne Brown Foundation Collection. In addition, about another 20 bank buyers showed up at the gallery, 2000 North Reading Road, to bid the old-fashioned way.

The auction started promptly at 9 am, under the direction of Dan Morphy, president and founder of the company, and by 3:45 pm all lots had been sold for a total of $1.7 million.

Jonah & The Whale, a mechanical bank measuring 11-1/3 inches long, by J&E Stevens, swam ahead of the pack, selling for $119,925. The estimate was $50/89,000.

To operate this bank one pulls back the knob located behind the whale’s tail to lock it into position. Then place a coin in the small boat next to the whale’s tail and press the lever. The coin falls into the bank as the whale opens its mouth and Jonah emerges.

A complete review of this auction will appear in a forthcoming issue.