Paul Kruger "OomPaul"

Contrary to popular belief, the Gazelie banks were made around the same time as the Harper Banks. Other manufacturers saw the original Harper banks and identified a market that Harper was missing. And so they made their own semi-mechanical Transvaal Money Boxes – making the pipe thicker and movable. Whenever a coin is deposited into the top of Kruger’s hat, a lever makes his pipe jiggle up and down, surely a delight for kids of all ages! The inscription on the back was also slightly altered to “By permission of the proprietors of the Westminster Gazelie” for the exact same reason John Harper clearly printed Gazette on their banks. The new manufacturers didn’t want to have any copyright problems. The main differences between the original Harper money box and the Gazelie money box are the following: The pipe – The Harper money boxes have non-mechanical/ fixed pipes that are long and slender and point downwards. Whereas the Gazelie money boxes have semi-mechanical/ movable pipes that are thicker and point outward instead of down. The wording on the back – The Harper money boxes state Westminster “Gazette” on the back. Whereas the Gazelie money boxes state Westminster “Gazelie” on the back. Quality of the casting – The Harper money boxes seems to be a finer quality casting than the Gazelie money boxes. The inscriptions on the hat and back are more prominent and finely engraved on the Harper money boxes. The Harper money boxes also show a three line crease on the middle left hand side of Kruger’s jacket that is not found on the Gazelie money boxes. The holes underneath – The Harper money boxes have 18 holes in a clearly repeatable pattern. Whereas the Gazelie money boxes have 7 to 9 holes mostly drilled in random patterns. The price – The Harper money boxes are extremely rare and can fetch a hefty amount on auction. The Gazelie money boxes are more common, and although these are not considered to be originals, they are still antiques which hold value among cast iron/ money box collectors.