Stump Speaker | Mechanical Bank

circa 1886-1892

"Stump Speaker" Mechanical Bank made by Shepard Hardware Co., Buffalo, NY, patent June 8, 1886. Press the lever and the speaker lowers the coin into the satchel.





On the bottom plate it is stamped "PAT. JUNE 8, 1886"

The following information originates from Hobbies Magazine May, 1972:
"In the 1800’s speakers, usually political, appearing before backwood audiences often spoke while standing on a tree stump. Eventually speakers of this type were referred to as "stump speakers." Then along the same political line came the terminology "stump orator" and "stump campaign." As example, the debates between Lincoln and Douglas in 1858, when competing for the Senate, were referred to as a "stump campaign." Eventually the term "stump speaker" broadened in its usage to include all those who made political speeches through the countryside, but not necessarily on tree stumps. "Stump" then referred to the platform on which the speaker stood. And in electioneerings a politician "stumps" the State.

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