The Richard C. Stevens Collection May 22, 2010 - RSL Auction ...
The Richard C. Stevens Collection May 22, 2010 - RSL Auction ...
The Richard C. Stevens Collection May 22, 2010 - RSL Auction ...
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110<br />
Lot 297 Monkey and Coconut Bank<br />
Made by the J. & E. <strong>Stevens</strong> Company<br />
Cromwell, Connecticut – Circa 1886<br />
This bank draws its inspiration from the<br />
controversy that raged in the press and the<br />
courtroom about Darwin’s “<strong>The</strong>ory of<br />
Evolution”. Clearly, the <strong>Stevens</strong>’ bank<br />
designers depict the monkey as having an<br />
“opposing thumb” like humans. So it can be<br />
reasonably inferred that they sided with<br />
Darwin and considered that man shared<br />
an evolutionary link with primates.<br />
And he’s a clever little monkey. He will<br />
take your penny and make it<br />
disappear into his coconut.<br />
Material: Cast Iron<br />
Provenance: Larry Feld <strong>Collection</strong><br />
Condition: As Mint as it gets<br />
Probably the fi nest known specimen<br />
Estimate: $18,000 - $24,000
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