Although the cast-iron mechanical bank-collecting world is a very active one, spanning several continents, only a few bank collections can be accurately described as highly important or being of premier quality. As any serious collector will attest, reaching that level of excellence takes dedication, constant upgrading and a long-term commitment to the hobby. The special camaraderie connecting bank aficionados worldwide is how Bob and Judy Brady managed to build a collection that is both admired and recognized throughout the hobby as being one of the very finest. On Saturday, Feb. 27, Morphys in Denver, Pa., will auction the Bradys incredible 40-year collection, which boasts some of the most elusive, high-condition banks in existence. Most mechanical banks have complicated inner workings, which naturally appealed to Bob Brady, who has an MBA in mechanical engineering. Following his graduation from college, Bob went to work for General Motors, then for the Fortune 500 commercial printing company R.R. Donnelley, which transferred him in 1972 to Lancaster, Pa. It is there, in Americas renowned antiques hub, that the Bradys put down roots and soon became active in the toy and bank-collecting community. Years later, Bob would serve as president of the Mechanical Bank Collectors of America. The pedigree runs deep in Bob and Judys museum-worthy bank collection. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Bob was able to buy banks with provenance from revered collections at tag sales, shows and other events. Those acquisitions include pieces that were once held in the collections of such pioneers of the hobby as Edwin H. Mosler, Bernard Barney Barenholtz, and Stephen and Marilyn Steckbeck; as well as the legendary Perelman Museum of Antique Toys. Condition has always been of utmost importance to the Bradys. Weve probably upgraded banks up to half a dozen times each to satisfy the threshold weve set. Our rule has always been that a bank had to have 95 percent paint or better, unless it was something super rare, said Brady. When the Brady collection is auctioned, each bank will open at half of the low estimate, without reserve. Headliners include a Shoot the Chute bank by J. & E. Stevens. This rarity features Buster Brown and his dog, Tige, in a boat, poised to ride down a chute and knock a coin into the bank, and comes with original printed wood box. This example is ex. Don Markey. The Mikado bank by Kyser & Rex depicts an illusionist making a coin appear under one hat then disappear, only to reappear under a second hat. This blue-base variation comes with English coins and is near-mint. The Merry-Go-Round bank by Kyser & Rex comes with original printed wood box. When handle is turned, bells chime, figures revolve, and an attendant raises a stick and gathers in any coins deposited on the stand. The Bread Winners bank by J. & E. Stevens serves as political commentary. A coin is placed in the end of a club, a hammer is raised, button is pressed, and Labor strikes Monopoly as the coin falls into a loaf of bread. This red-jacket variation is near-mint. With the Boy Robbing Birds Nest bank by J. & E. Stevens, a boy figure crawls outward on a tree limb in an attempt to rob a birds nest, coin is placed in slot, lever is pressed and boy falls as coin disappears into tree. In near-mint-plus, it is one of the top known examples, ex. Bill Norman. The list of extraordinary mechanical bank highlights continues with a near-mint J. & E. Stevens Germania Exchange, ex. Hegarty, est. $30,000-$50,000; a near-mint Kenton Hardware Mama Katzenjammer, white-face variation (ex. Kenton showroom, Wally Tudor, Steckbeck, Morphy book example), est. $30,000-$50,000; a J. & E. Stevens near-mint Cupola bank with rare blue base, ex. Don Markey), est. $30,000-$40,000; and a J. & E. Stevens near-mint Girl Skipping Rope, ex. Tudor, Steckbeck, est. $60,000-$90,000. Among the other special inclusions are an all-original Kyser & Rex Motor Bank, one of only four or five known to exist, est. $30,000-$50,000, and two examples of J. & E. Stevens baseball-themed Dark Town Battery bank. Both are extremely rare variations depicted in the Dan Morphy reference book. One has white baseball player figures, is in excellent-plus condition and is estimated at $12,000-$18,000. The other, which is near-mint, has the more-familiar African-American player figures; however, theyre wearing white uniforms, making the bank especially rare. In order to acquire the latter bank, Bob had to buy an entire collection. I had never seen the white-uniform variation before, but I knew it was right because it matched a trade card Stevens used in promoting the bank to retailers, stated Brady. The estimate will be $25,000-$40,000. Morphys auction of the Bob and Judy Brady mechanical bank collection will be held live at Morphys gallery, 2000 N. Reading Road, Denver, Pa., starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Preview will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All remote forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone, and live via the internet through Morphy Live. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid live online at www.morphyauctions.com. All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.