J. & E. Stevens Company Records

Collection

Identifier: 2008-0024

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The J. & E. Stevens Company Records consist of one ledger of 755 pages, recording expenses, suppliers, and customers, including Montgomery Ward and Gimbel Brothers.

Dates

1888-1898

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Records must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

The J. & E. Stevens Company was formed in Cromwell, Connecticut, in 1843 when John and Elisha Stevens established a factory to manufacture cast iron hardware, hammers and simple iron toys. In 1859 it produced its first fire cracker pistol and by the mid-1860s the company focused almost exclusively on the production of toys. In 1869 the company produced its first cast iron mechanical bank and it was soon nationally known for its innovative designs of mechanical banks, as well as still banks, or the traditional "piggy" banks cast of metal in the shape of animals, buildings, or other figures, with a slot to insert the coins. The company produced a great many other types of toys, including toys stoves and cannons, but by 1928 it devoted itself exclusively to the production of cap pistols.

During World War II the company closed due to the shortage of iron and the company was sold to Buckley Brothers of New York in 1950.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Toy company of Cromwell, Connecticut, specializing in the manufacture of cast iron toys, especially mechanical iron banks and cap pistols. Collection consists of one financial ledger of the company listing expenses, suppliers and customers, including Montgomery Ward and Gimbel Brothers.

Acquisition Information

This collection was purchased from a manuscripts dealer in March 2008.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to Connecticut businesses. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the reference desk.

Subjects

Connecticut (state) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Cromwell (inhabited place) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Financial records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Mechanical coin banks Subject Source: Fast
Toy industry Subject Source: Fast