The mechanical bank craze of the 1880's was quickly followed by several series of trading cards depicting each of the most famous banks. The picture here commemorates the Trick Dog bank (also included in the Historical Ephemera site). The bank was first marketed in 1887, and this card appeared in 1888. The cards were popular for the same reasons as the banks - evoking the possibilities of wealth so prevalent during America's "Gilded Age." Today, this card, one of only 10 known to exist, is actually more valuable than surviving banks from the same time period. Unfortunately, the cards and banks also preserve the darkest period in post-slavery race relations in this country as several banks and cards characterized African Americans as either child-like bumblers or big-mouthed sambos. 

http://www.tradecards.com/articles/mb/trickdog.html