Stands 12" high and is in excellent condition, with only a few minor nicks in the paint, the two most notable ones being at the watermelon rim. There's not even a hole or plug for retrieving the collected cash! Pressed stamped marking on the left rear of the base which reads G.M.G. Art / Lou, Ky. with what is presumably a mold number of 186.

Researching the G.M.G. Art name, I find only one reference, in The Encyclopedia of Louisville, which states that "[i]n the post-World War II era, ... [t]he G.M.G. Art and Novelty Co. was founded by Albert Grisanti, his brother Ferdinand, and his cousin Dorina Mattei. After about ten years in this business of manufacturing plaster novelties, the three principals started Casa Grisanti. For many years, it was a premier Italian restaurant..." The author of this book section (which apparently is on the Italian community in Louisville) was Dominic Mattei, presumed to be a relative of Dorina, one of the restaurant's founders. Further research confirmed that the Casa Grisanti opened in 1959, which appears to put the G.M.G. Art start date around 1949. With the proliferation of reproductions that plagues the market, there can be little doubt of the authenticity and dating of this wonderful bank -- a fabulous addition for any Black Americana collection.