Billiken Antique Cast Iron Still Bank

All original cast iron still bank that depicts the character, ‘Billiken’ and notice the inscribed on the back is also the words, ‘Good Luck’. There is a patent number, ‘Patent No. 39B03’ in raised letters on the bank. Good old paint on this bank that measures 4″ high, and has a base of 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. Circa 1909 – 1912.
The Billiken was a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Ms. Florence Pretz of St. Louis, Missouri, who is said to have seen the mysterious figure in a dream. In 1908 she patented the Billiken who was elf-like with pointed ears, a mischievous smile, and a tuft a hair on his pointed head. His arms were short and he was generally sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him. The Billiken was one of the first copyrighted dolls and the first likenesses of the Billiken, banks and statues, were produced in 1909. –