Ask the story- it makes yours better
Having a good story to go along with your (hobby, purchase,
decision, political view…) is something almost everyone should know. This idea was reinforced during a recent
visit with my dear Aunt Lisa. While
closing out the day at her local Buffalo pub, Essex Street, she enlightened my
friends and I on some of the bar décor. Nailed to a wooden panel was a single,
tiny, black heeled shoe.
The shoe ended up there well over a decade ago after a very
long, and what sounded like, fun, evening where Lisa found herself at home
one-shoe-short. In respect for this
being her story, I am withholding details.
Since the owner himself appreciates a good story behind his décor the
shoe has remained upon the wall since that night.
Never having an interest in banks, within the last year I’ve
decided to collect still banks- with, of course, a background story as to why….
While window shopping in Leesburg, VA I spotted a small
metal bank in the shape of a buffalo. Being from Buffalo, NY I had to inquire
about the little guy. Learning from the
shop owner that the bank is referred to as a still bank and seeing the $300
price tag I left without the bank; however, my boyfriend said he thought he had
a few from his Oma (grandmother in German).
When he was growing up his Oma would always give the
grandchildren antiques or other fun vintage finds for holiday gifts. Evan always appreciated these and saved them
growing up. And sure enough, two of the
banks he received as childhood gifts were original still banks. After a little bit of research I learned
these would be of similar value to the Buffalo spotted in Leesburg months
ago. Since that first discovery of still
banks the rabbit and lion became permanent apartment décor items and the
decision to hunt more banks was made.
This past week I finally made my first purchase as a
collector of still banks at an antique shop in Leesburg (where it all began!).
One great thing about antique “malls” is multiple smaller venues. This provides a constant change of
pieces. One bad thing, there’s often no
opportunity to contact a vendor while you’re there to negotiate, check authenticity
or learn the story. A new display caught
my eye at the familiar store and sure enough, I saw a bulldog, still bank in
full paint and a leather collar reading “Mack”.
Full paint for anything old is rare- very rare, so I was skeptical. Fortunately I was able to call the
vendor. “Mack” was recently acquired from
another collector who had multiple pieces behind a glass case in their
home. Unlike other banks of this time,
it wasn’t played with or used to keep loose change- it was treasured. While it wasn’t an original from the 1880s
like my lion or rabbit it was a reproduction from between the 1930s and 1950s;
hence, the much less than usual cost. After
a little praise and appreciation provided from me, I got a little bit of a
break and purchased my first piece to add to the gifted collection. The best part, I know the story behind every
piece in my collection.
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