This bloated corpulent banker, absorbing all the money he can get into his hand, was an appropriate figure for a mechanical bank. "Sub-prime mortgage, sir, interest only! The best chance you'll ever have!" The Tammany Hall image of a banker had been patented in 1873, not 2008, and was made by J & E Stevens of Connecticut. Steve Smoot asked $1,150 for him at the Armory Show.

Steve Smoot, 704 Race Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, (717) 393-7794, smootantiq@aol.com.