~ Early 20th Century Starkies Cannon & Tank Money Box ~
An early 20th century ‘Starkies’ cast metal money box in the form of a tank and field gun.
The Tank and Cannon Bank was patented in May 1920 by Robert Eastwood Starkie and Nellie Starkie of Burnley, Lancashire.
It is suggested that these money boxes were used as alms boxes to collect money for war veterans.
The piece is made of cast metal, modelled on a mark 3 tank and field gun, set on a natural base.
The cannon has a sprung ‘firing’ mechanism which when pulled back will fire a coin into the body of the tank.
The underside of the base reads ‘Starkies Patent 122123′.
Both the tank and gun can be detached from the base for storage, transporting etc.
~ Dimensions ~
The piece measures 20cm (8 inches) by 24cm (9 ½ inches).
It weighs 1.26 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The piece is generally worn overall but is in good order with no structural damage and still has some of the original finish. The firing mechanism is in working order.
ML