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A.C. Williams Cast Iron Standing Rabbit Bank 1910s

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
A.C. Williams Cast Iron Standing Rabbit Bank 1910s
Featured in this lot is this 1910-1920s cast iron standing rabbit piggy bank by A. C. Williams. In Chagrin Falls, Ohio, the A. C. Williams Company opened for business in 1844. A. C. Williams' father, John Wesley Williams, started the business. Reverend Benajah Williams and his eight sons, including John W., moved to Chagrin Falls in 1840 from western New York state. Situated somewhat above the Chagrin River dam, on a former sawmill and furnace property, stood the original foundry structure. John W. Williams began with a small cupola with a one-ton capacity, one molder, and a few assistants, using the old furnace building that had been idle for a few years. When Adam Clark Williams, John Williams' son, began working at the foundry full-time in 1865, the company name was quickly changed to J.W. Williams & Son. When Adam Clark Williams acquired the company from his father in 1886, it had fifteen workers, five molders, and he had added a line of sad irons with wooden handles. A fire that broke out on Thanksgiving night in 1892 destroyed the plant. Because Chagrin Falls lacked fire protection and had sub par shipping facilities, A.C. Williams made the decision to rebuild in a better site. The rabbit shows a cast iron construction and is standing on its back legs. There is a small slot in the back of the rabbits back for inserting coins, and a small screw on its right side to open the bank up. The rabbit was once painted with gold coloring but has since been worn off in almost all spots. The piece shows good condition overall with wear from its age and use over the years but no signs of obvious damage are noted. The piece measures 2 9/16" L x 1 11/16" W x 5" H and weighs 10 ounces.