COMPLIMENTARY COPY TM
The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 46, NO. 40 FRIDAY OCTOBER 2, 2015
Bertoia’s To Offer The Clive Devenish Antique Bank Collection n California, the term “private reserve” usually refers to wine of particularly high quality, often a type that has aged over a long period of time. It also describes to a “T” the Clive Devenish bank collection, whose contents have “aged” serenely for decades in their owner’s various California homes. Undoubtedly one of the all-time great bank
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work of bank enthusiasts. “I knew other collectors a r o u n d California during the 1980s, and consequently I was able to
This Kyser & Rex “Roller Skating” cast-iron mechanical bank, circa 1880, is one of the finest examples known. It is in near-mint condition and estimated at $150,000$175,000.
collections, it also stands out as being one of the least publicized, known to few in the hobby. That will change on Saturday, Oct. 3, when Bertoia’s presents at auction Part I of the Clive Devenish collection of mechanical, still, tin and spelter banks. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet. “Clive’s banks are going to astound collectors, not o n l y because of A Heyde “Rabbit Head” spelter still bank, circa 1900-10, in excellent condition, will be estimated at $800-$1,200.
their rarity and fabulous condition but also their provenance,” said Bertoia Auctions associate Rich Bertoia. “Clive was able to buy banks from the heirs of several legendary early collectors, including Ferdinand Wieder, Leon Cameto and Hall Henry. He also has banks that were formerly in the Stan Sax, Edwin Mosler, Bill Norman, and Stephen and Marilyn Steckbeck collections.” Bertoia said some of the banks were initially added to collections in the 1930s and only changed hands twice over the next 85 years, explaining their exceptionally fresh condition. Devenish also bought through his own local netA “Royal Trick Elephant” lithographed tin mechanical bank, circa 1918, pristine condition, provenance including the Edwin Mosler collection, will be estimated at $2,000-$3,000.
before there was an established secondary market for them. One of those factors may have been “genetic.” Devenish grew up around exquisite antiques. His father, English-born Thomas A. Devenish, was a renowned Madison Avenue antique furniture dealer known for his impeccable eye. From an early age, Clive understood the importance of originality and condition, qualities later reinforced by his close friends and mentors John Haley and the late Donal Markey. It was, in fact, Haley who
Steckbeck collection, which Bertoia describes as “a gem.” It is expected to sell for $150,000$175,000. Several banks are accompanied by their coveted original boxes: a “Chief Big Moon” (“so bright you need sunglasses”), a “Mason” bank, a
because of their age-defying condition,” said Bertoia. “Those who know Clive have always thought of him as a well-respected, wellliked dealer. Few realized he had a
This J. & E. Stevens “Bread Winners” cast-iron mechanical bank, circa 1886, near-mint condition, with provenance including the Ferdinand Weider collection, will be estimated at $60,000-$75,000.
purchase severShepard red-version “Speaking al collections, Dog,” and a yellow, flangedincluding those of base version of a “Horse Charles Klappert Race” bank, ex. Bill from La Jolla, in The J. & E. Stevens “Boy Robbing Norman collection. “We 1986; and Morley Bird’s Nest” cast-iron mechanical took a few of the banks to Golden from San bank with original box, one of the mechanical bank Diego, in 1987. the finest known collectors convention, Golden’s colexamples with prove- and there were quite a nance including the few double-takes,” said lection already Walter P. Chrysler col- Bertoia. “The adjective had a pedilection and also the Steven and we heard most often was gree, since it Marilyn Steckbeck collection, will ‘stunning.’” included many be estimated at $35,000-$45,000. banks purNumerous other banks chased from advised Devenish that his fall into the pristine to Hubert Whiting most important tool was his near-mint category, of Rancho eyes and that he among them a Bernardo,” should “develop “Springing Cat” r e c a l l e d that attribute,” described by Bertoia Devenish. D e v e n i s h as the best one he There are r e c a l l e d . has ever seen, and several other Markey, who exquisite examples of factors to conwas known for “Leap Frog,” “Bread sider when ponhis astute, aca- Winners,” “Picture dering the fored e m i c Gallery” and “John Bull” sight it must have approach to banks. taken to acquire so many collecting, taught “Collections of this magniimpossibly beautiful banks Devenish how to use black lights tude are much easier to vet because and loops, and how to identify there are far fewer problems. In the repaints. His tutelage was a Devenish collection, even the more springboard for many savvy bank common banks become ‘rare’ purchases Devenish would make over the years. Apportioned into 175 lots, Bertoia’s single-owner sale of the Devenish collection will open with mechanical banks, which comprise 85 to 90 percent of the session’s entries. A premier mechanical is the Kyser & Rex “Roller Skating” bank, ex.
private collection, much less a collection of such incredible quality, but over the years he methodically kept the banks he thought were great and just kept on upgrading,” said Bertoia. Many of the still banks in the collection came to Devenish through Donal Markey, which, in itself, speaks volumes about their condition. There are both
The J. & E. Stevens “Milking Cow” cast-iron mechanical bank, circa 1888, near-mint condition, will be estimated at $25,000-$35,000.
player’s socks still display original red paint, which is quite
Here is a J. & E. Stevens “Paddy and the Pig” cast-iron A “Springing mechanical bank, patented 1882, in Cat” lead and wood mechanical a rare blue-eye version, pristine bank, designed by Charles Bailey, patented 1882, near-mint condition, with provenance including the F.H. Griffith condition, estimated at $10,000$12,000. collection, will be estimated at $22,000-$30,000.
The Hubley “Mascot” castiron still bank in pristine condition will be estimated at $2,500-$3,000.
large and small painted “Camels,” as well as several “Mammies” and a “Mulligan Cop,” all in immaculate condition. The “Battleship Oregon” is brilliant white and gorgeous, in contrast to some other Battleship banks that have incurred metal breakage. Another top entry is the “Mascot” bank depicting a baseball player standing on a baseball. The
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This J. & E. Stevens “Chief Big Moon” cast-iron mechanical bank with original box, patented 1899, in near-mint condition, will be estimated at $20,000$28,000.