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These 1950's tin toy era coin
banks were made by Ohio Art. The bank
features a white regulation size tin
baseball, atop of a red base that
reads "WORLD CHAMPIONS" in large white
letters. The inner base has the
manufacture credit "Ohio Art Co,"
opposite "Made in U.S.A." The sweet
spot on the lithographed red & blue
stitched baseball reads
"OFFICIAL, LEAGUE BALL" in blue
lettering. With the coin slot at the
top of the baseball, the coin release
is located under the base, and the
metal plug is often missing.
One of the oldest toy makers in the United States, the Ohio Art Company is
best known for its classic Etch A
Sketch, drawing toy. Founded by Henry
Simon Winzeler in 1908, the company
produced oval metal frames. The onset
of World War I in 1914 interrupted toy
imports from Germany and afforded
domestic toy makers the opportunity to
fill the void. During this period, Ohio
Art began making the lithographed metal
toys, spinning tops, and drum sets.
Ohio Art made parts for rockets, bombs,
and aircraft throughout World War II,
and its contributions earned an
"Excellence" award at war's end.
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