"I Always Did 'Spise a Mule" – Jockey Over Mechanical Bank by J & E Stevens, c. 1879

One of the most celebrated American mechanical banks ever produced — the "I Always Did 'Spise a Mule" Jockey Over bank by J & E Stevens Co. of Cromwell, Connecticut. Patented April 22, 1879 and designed by James H. Bowen, this bank has delighted collectors for nearly 150 years with its animated action and folk humor.

How It Works

Place a coin in the jockey’s mouth and press the lever — the mule kicks forward, the jockey is thrown over the mule’s head, and the coin is launched from the jockey’s mouth into the coin receptacle. This example works exactly as it did over 100 years ago.

Item Details

• Name: "I Always Did 'Spise a Mule" – Jockey Over
• Type: Mechanical bank
• Manufacturer: J & E Stevens Co., Cromwell, CT
• Designer: James H. Bowen
• Patent Date: April 22, 1879
• Era: Late 1800s

Condition

• Paint approximately 50% remaining — appears all original
• Mechanism fully functional
• Very nice condition for its age — a strong example of this classic bank

Collectibility

The J & E Stevens “Spise a Mule” series is among the most recognized and reproduced mechanical bank designs in American history — making original examples like this one especially prized. Street Dreams Texas has been sourcing rare American antiques and memorabilia since 1999.