Can someone tell me the year please?

[r_patrick1]

I have purchased two antique vacs within the past couple months. Both of which are brands that I am not two familiar with. Royal model 88, and Hoover Norca Dustette. They both are circa 1930's I believe. I would like to know the exact years they were made if possible.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Ryan,

According to past history of Royal Appliance Mfg. Co., the Prince hand vacuum was originally introduced in 1937. Yours just might be one of the first as it is a straight-suction cleaner (the revolving-brush version would appear sometime after WWII).

The other cleaner you have is a "Norca" which in reality is a Hoover Dustette sold by certain department stores in areas where Hoover would not permit the use of its own name for competition reasons.

~Ben

 

[kirbyvertibles]

If I may,

From what I have seen, and gathered over the years. I think the Norca (AKA the Hoover) was made sometime in the mid 40's.  The name Norca, came from North Canton Ohio, where Hoovers were made. Just like Ben said, the name was used just to mask there product. Hope this helps.

 

[ultralux88]

Yet another collector in the Denver area! I actually lived in Arvada until I was 10, when we moved to Parker.

 

[r_patrick1]

Denver area collector

Yep I'm from Arvada. I'm a fairly new collector. I only got serious into collecting in September of last year. I was introduced to collecting and gained an interest when I was a Kirby dealer about a year ago. I am always happy to talk to other collectors.

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Ryan,

I think your Royal might be a Prince model 138.

Right now on eBay there is a lot of nine different 1940s-'50s Royal brochures, and one of them is for the Prince hand vacuum which came in both straight-suction (138) and revolving-brush versions (157).

Another brochure is for the model 97 "Utility" cleaner.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROYAL-VACUU...PLIANCES-COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL-/261779657954

~Ben

 

[r_patrick1]

Thanks Ben

 

[r_patrick1]

Thanks

I own 3 hand helds. The Royal, the Hoover and a Dirt Devil. The Royal is one of my favorites in my collection. It was titled model 88 on ebay, but I trust you are right because the seller was not a collector or expert. I would like to know as much as possible about these two vacs. They are the rarest in my collection. Thank you guys for your help. Being a fairly new collector, I appreciate any insight given.