Donating a vacuum cleaner collection of a lifetime

[dysonman1]

This is the link to a documentary that was filmed last year. A collector in New York drove his entire collection to Missouri to donate it to the vacuum cleaner museum. The best of his collection has its own section in the museum. The public can see and enjoy them every day. Thank you again so much Eric.

 

[electroluxxxx]

Eric Skau is an amazing friend and I am so proud to be able to call him that. His donation to you was a blessing and the friendship that you two have is truly something that will last a lifetime.

 

[luxflairguy]

Thank goodness they found a great home! Right where they BELONG! Greg

 

[lux14]

Tom, What a great documentary. Very heart felt. Eric, it was great to finally put a face with a name! I got to see your wonderful collection last Sep't at the Museum. Tom, Thanks again for sharing this with us all. It is truly special! Best, Richard.

 

[ubergreenguru]

I'm glad they found a good home with another collector who is just as passionate about vacuums as Eric was! - A Happy Ending where Eric's vacuums will be on display for everyone to enjoy!

 

[huskyvacs]

That was a cool video, he seems like quite a character, perfect fit to have him filmed for that short film/documentary. Was very entertaining to watch all the cleaners he had and see if I recognized any. I own at least a few seen in there. The presentation was good too, it wasn't just a "ho hum" of facts and visuals, it was assembled and shot in a very captivating way, I planned to just check out a couple minutes of it and ended up watching the entire video lol. Watching him and Tom go over vacuums and bounce off each other was a lot like watching the guys at a car show collect together and start going off about engines and performance and car models. It's amazing how much knowledge there actually is to learn about vacuums. At face value you think it's just like any other appliance, use and abuse them, then onto the next. When you actually sit down and think about it it's just crazy how much there actually is to know about each and every model.

This film I think will be great at inspiring more younger collectors, seeing adults into vacuums like they are, so they won't feel ashamed for being "strange" (I know I was when I started and this was only 4 years ago lol) There has not really been any good solid look at vacuum collecting in a documentary like this since at least the early 2000's perhaps. Hopefully this gets advertised more, and trickles into the public at large. I remember on one of the late night shows with one of the Jimmys last year I think it was they had a kid on that was a collector, but I forgot his name.

 

[sitop]

Thank you!

Thank you everyone! I have not watched it for awhile. Brought back all of the emotions. This is the first edit so thank you for not mentioning the errors!
Tom, if it were not for you answering me I don't know what I would have done. You are a friend for life. CRL, what can I say? Our relationship began with the "Long, long hose" You too are considered a true friend. I always smile when I hear from you. Update on me: Completely retired, sold the Big house on Staten Island, NY. We are now settled in our 2 bedroom condo in Bradenton FL. Getting ready to leave for Hillside Campgrounds in New Milford PA. We have a Perm site there. Huskyvacs ! Thank you for the kind words. Yes, you are right, my friends think of me as a character! FYI the documentary will be aired this Spring/Summer at a Film Festival. I can't give out it's location as of now. I can not believe that it was picked! I will be forever be grateful for AB giving his time and money to direct and produce the documentary. Hugs all around!!!

 

[human]

That is indeed a well-done documentary but it leaves one question unanswered. What vacuum escaped the trailer to become the daily driver at the Florida condo? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[suckolux]

What a wonderful story, with a great matchup for you too, more emotional than I thought it would be.

 

[dysonman1]

Edgar

Eric kept a gorgeous Compact and his beloved Kirby to clean the condo in Florida.

 

[sitop]

Tom and Edgar

And don't forget my all original Electrolux Marquis that my Aunt bought new and I inherited it complete with original paperwork!

 

[s31463221]

What an AWESOME documentary!

Tom, thanks for sharing this! I have no doubt Eric’s collection will continue to delight many visitors at the museum, along with all of the other vacs as well! I am really hoping that I can get back to Rolla soon and see the museum myself!

Eric, I wish you the best in all of your retirement endeavors as well....having a rather large vacuum collection myself, I worry a lot about what would happen to it if something were to happen to me....my wife and kids aren’t going to be interested in any of it, that I’m sure of! Now, on a totally unrelated subject, was that 80’s model Lincoln Town Car I saw at the beginning of the video yours? I have always LOVED those!!

 

[luxlife]

Fantastic!

Such wonderful energy between the donor and the recipient and now there’s more for the rest of us to see! I can’t wait to see these in person!

 

[portapower]

A beautiful and moving documentary about a beautiful man and his "unusual hobby". I'm recently retired and want to downsize, so I will also soon be letting go of my various collections of washers, dryers, vacuums, movie posters, records and comic books. So far it's been hard to even think about getting started. Only hope to get motivated soon.

 

[keither]

A very warm and heartfelt story. It’s definitely food for thought. Sending love to both you and Eric!

 

[vacman1961]

Tom, What a great documentary, hopefully once this pandemic is over I can come out there to see the museum.

 

[dysonman1]

To anyone who wants to see the collection, you can visit whenever you wish. We are open 9-5 Tues - Fri and 9-2 on Saturday. I'm always happy to show it off, plug them in, and take time to talk and visit with fellow collectors. The annual convention of Vacuum Cleaner Collectors is the third weekend (Fri and Sat) of September. It is free (no charge) to all.

 

[justjunque]

Very nicely done!
I'm glad that the collection has a good home with Tom.
And, Eric, that must have been very difficult for you. I call myself a collector. But, realistically, I'm more of a hoarder. My collecting is all over the place. Vacuums, lanterns, percolators, diecast vehicles, telephones, bicycles. And I'm sure I'm forgetting things.
And, even knowing that my collecting has gotten out of hand, I honestly don't think I could bring myself to give up even part of it.
Maybe some day, I'll feel differently. And, if not, eventually, I'll be gone. At that point, everything I have will probably end up scrapped. None of it is particularly valuable.
What I'm trying to say, and not doing a very good job of it, is that I admire your strength for letting go of a collection that meant a lot to you, because you knew it was the right thing to do, at the right time.
I wish you nothing but happiness in whatever lies ahead.

Barry

 

[aussie-plugs]

Uplifting

What a lovely story to watch. How wonderful to know that one's collection will be appreciated and live on in the future