Help please. Can someone identify age and model

[andyj]

I have a Hoover vacuum cleaner, Hoover Dustette, original tools in a Hoover box (a little tatty) and a manual which covers both devices. Both devices appear to be in good working order.

I live in the UK and have absolutely no idea whether the devices have some interest to collectors how old they are, what model they are or for that matter how much they might be worth. I am wondering if there is a suitable museum or public collection which might benefit from donation of said items as I would like to see them go to a good home.

 

[kirbyklassic80]

That's a Hoover model 700. I believe that one could be from the 30's, 1935, 1937, maybe? But my knowledge on the 700 is little, I think the time period for the 700 was from, 1929-1937, not completely sure thought.

 

[DysonAnimal]

Hi, andyj

the upright in your photo is Hoover Model 725, dating from 1929. The handle's been resprayed at some point, and the bag and cord have been replaced.

The manual in the corner of your pic is for 1935 Model 825.

Hope this info helps!

 

[andyj]

Hi kirbyklassic80 and Dyson animal

You guys are amazing. That is so helpful.

I really want to see the whole kit go to a good home as I am downsizing my cluttered attic.

Do you think the items have a value (EG for Sotherby's next auction). Is it a rare specimen and/or do you know of a museum which would like them? The cleaner belonged to my aunt. I cannot imagine how it ended up with a different year handbook unless the book came with the dustette at a later date. I had assumed that she bought the whole kit at one time.

Regards
AndyJ

 

[74simon]

Hi andyj,

Ebay is your best way forward, especially if you are willing to have the items posted or couriered. You'd also be wise to sell the cleaners, the handbook and the tools as seperate lots.

Neither cleaner is likely to fetch a fortune, the 725 needs restoration and lacks an original style bag, these are fairly common in this condition. The Dustette is a model 2504, made between 1955 and circa 1964, again a fairly common model, and today a lot still turn up in little or even unused condition.

If the manual is in good condition it may fetch a reasonable price, likewise with the toolkit - both are rarer than the actual vacuum cleaners.

It's hard to give an accurate valuation, but I'd say that none of the items would fetch more than £30 each, especially not the vacuums, so a starting price of maybe £5 per item would be reasonable.

Hope that helps!

Simon

 

[DysonAnimal]

I'll second Simon's advice - eBay's definitely your best bet!

The 725 is a restoration project at best, and I can't see it making megabucks. The 825 manual is certainly rarer; the prices for paperwork vary wildly, but it's definitely worth giving it a separate listing - you may find it does fairly well.

 

[hooverbaby]

I have a number..

of 700 series machines, which I have collected over the years.

You can tell that this is not a model 700 because it has the later style of external handle ratcheting/locking mechanism as opposed to the tilting bar where the pin locks onto the teeth of the ratchet internally. Also, you can just make out the orange band, which was not present on the 700s.

In addition, the badge says Empire product, which AFAIK means it cannot be a late British model 750, since these were made at Perivale..and was therefore an import from Canada. The badge at the rear of the motor should confirm this. It could be a model 725 or an early 750, made between about 1930 and 1932.

Simon and Jack are right in saying that these machines are still quite common in this condition; I have seen quite a few on Ebay.

BTW, your model number should be stamped on the chassis under the machine.

Stephen

 

[hooverbaby]

One thing I'd forgotton about..

was the lack of ventilation on the earlier 700 series machines, which had totally enclosed motors to keep out dust and dirt and hence did not have a cooling fan. When the motors were redesigned to consume more electricity a cooling fan was added on the armature, along with vents on the bottom of the motor. These were still very reliable but also more powerful.

This may seem like an information overload but I was trying to see if your motor has cooling vents; if not it's probably a 725.

Stephen

 

[andyj]

Thank you to all of you. That certainly does it for me. The plate underneath reveals that it is in fact a 725 and the badge on the back of the motor says it was made in Canada. Also there do not appear to be cooling vents.

As I have said before the amount of information you hold and your willingness to help me does you great credit.

My aim has been to get it all to a good home. What I will probably do is follow the advice to advertise the items seperately on EBAY and see what happens. I did not have a response when I advertised them all together. If I do not get any interest I will donate it to a small, informal museum at Twinwoods in Bedfordshire if the proprieter wants it. He shows WW2 and pre war domestic equipment....... Unless any of you guys want it.

Thanks once again. Hope you all have a good Christmas

Andy

 

[vacbear58]

Museum

Andy

Could you kind post details of the museum please, it might be an interesting place to visit

Thanks
Al

 

[andyjones]

Hi Al
Tis me under a new password and user name. For some unknown reason I couldn't 'get in' under the original password.

You ask about Twinwoods Museum. May I suggest you Google the site as a great deal of info is on their website.

Twinwoods near Clapham in Bedfordshire and is the place from whence Glen Miller took off on his last flight in a Norsman.

Every year we go to a Glem Miller Festival on the August Bank Holiday - great fun - and we also attend a range of other Ad hoc events at the venue. There are several museums in the old huts dotted around and they are well worth a visit (I would tend to visit them when I was going to the venue for one of the events rather than drive up from London). The organisers have also restored the contro; tower and have a plethora of photos of, guess what, Glen Miller, and also other allied subjects.
The 1940's house is really a collection of bits and bobs run by an enthusiast - great because it is informal and has that amateurish approach rather than the pristine quality of a formal museum.

I have recently been in touch with the organiser to talk about donating bits and pieces and can let you have his contact name and E mail if you wish to e mail me on [email protected], (Sorry can't type his email address here as I would have to bounce out of internet connection and start this all over again).

Regards Andy

 

[markanthony5]

well surely the 725 in that condition is worth more than £30

I would of thought surely this 725 is worth more than £30.00, new quality period type cable,some serious metal polishing and a good bag ,may be a service and some tweaking and she will be worth a fare bit,but then im no expert.
They do seem to fetch a fare bit once looking good,well on eBay they do