Lot # 1: 1973 Roberto Clemente Ceramic Bank by Ivo Zini Full Color Large Version

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 44 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Post War Sports XXXIV August 2024",
which ran from 8/14/2024 10:00 PM to
9/1/2024 10:00 PM



This is an incredibly tough piece to find in decent condition. Aside from the fact that the run was rumored to be very small (we've heard numbers as low as 40 but we don't know if any of the figures we have seen are more than anecdotal) these are ceramic banks with no plugs. There is literally a circle depression in the back marked "Open" where you were supposed to hit it with a hammer to get your money out. How many kids could resist the temptation of eventually accessing the cash?

Measures slightly over 1 foot tall, 1 foot wide and 7" deep.

Others we have seen are riddled with heavy damage and significant chipping. This has a small chip in the brim of the cap which was, unfortunately, colored in with magic marker and a tiny chip in the underside of the number "1" on his jersey, which you can only see looking up at it.

There is also a Gold Large Version and we have heard of (but never seen) a full color small version.

These are signed in the ceramic by Zini who was a renowned artist who also was among the early pioneers of prosthetics for hospitals in the Pittsburgh area. His family in association with the Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh has actually created the Ivo Zini Technology Fund.

Click here to see Roberto Clemente figures and toys.

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