How much is this vacuum worth? 111 years old.

[freaker]

Hi, new to the site. I have aqquired a 1905 Ideal American Vacuum Company vacuum in excellent shape from an estate. All parts and accessories are original, paint is still good, still works, all inside materials are present, wand is in excellent shape. My question is how much may this be worth, can anyone help out? the attached pictures are off the web, all I could find on this thing. Mine is in MUCH better condition that the one pictured. Thank you.

 

[human]

To quote my late grandfather...

"It's worth whatever any damn fool will pay for it." In other words, a thing's 'worth' is totally subjective. Whatever you paid for it is what it's worth to you. Whatever you can get out of it is what it's worth to the next person. One price may or may not be reflective of the other.

 

[sptyks]

To the average person it may only be worth $10.


To a serious vacuum collector it may be worth $1000.


 


You may want to advertise it in the Supermarket section of this website as there are several serious collectors that hang around on this site.

 

[caligula]

Very few membere are into these machines.

I am, but as you see, I have a basement full of them. Fact is they didn't work even when new! These are two person pumpers and nobody's strong enough or can pump at the speed in order to be effective. The only good thing about them was they were the starting point for many companies who made great strides in the vacuum cleaner industry.

As to price? Don't aim too high, these are not collectables, only serious enthusiasts are even remotely interested. I advise you keep it as a great conversation piece.

If you want the history on it, just ask me, or send me an email at [email protected], keyword Non-electric's.

 

[caligula]

sptyks is perfectly correct, the best you can get is a few dollers for this. I was told in no uncertain terms by my other half "don't get any more vacuum cleaners!"

These machines worked on a self contained bellows system to create suction, and as it's now one hundred and eleven years old, the bellows made of leather would be worn out. Mine are strictly for the historical value, not the financial.

I advise you to place it in a corner of the living room, and let people ooh and ahh over it. I see you have the paperwork, frame it, let people read it, then sit back and listen to the comment most of us here grew up hearing. "You collect what?!!!"

Like I said, if you want the history of the non electric's I can tell you, but don't expect to make a fortune off of this.

Sorry to put a pin in the baloon, but that's just the way it is.

 

[electrolux137]

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I wonder why he can't manage to post photos of his machine, instead just pasting images found on-line.


 


It's not THAT had to snap a couple of photos with a smart phone and upload them to this site.


 


Such a lack of actual photos often points to a scam.

 

[cb123]

Well, it seems your brain is still working pretty dog gone good to perceive this one, I wouldn't be worrying so much if I was you. Stay healthy my friend!

 

[freaker]

???

Well, I see this forum is filled with jokers and skeptics, I just came on to seek some info on this vacuum I have, I guess the old saying "HUMAN" of Pines of Carolina, is that if you dont have anything nice to say or any intelligent contribution, keep it to yourself. As far as "ELECTROLUX" 137 of LA, find something a little more meaningful to do with your time that to doubt a post, again, if you dont have any positive contribution, keep it to yourself. Thank you to "CALIGULA" of Benton PA and "SPTYKS" of Woburn, MA for your feedback.

 

[marks_here]

Can't ya just feel

The love all around here! No wonder why I've been keeping to myself not sayin much on here, ignoring calls from friends who can easily stop by to see if I'm even alive. Eventually you're gonna get jumped for saying what's on you mind so there's really no point sayin anything.

 

[electrolux137]

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All you would need to do to alleviate my natural skepticism would be to post some photos of YOUR machine. I've been around the bend a few times and many people, including myself, have been the victim of scams. Sorry your feathers got ruffled. Take a deep breath and keep on trudging.


 


 

 

[cb123]

Oh well, another theory blown out of the water! What shall we do?

 

[chad]

It s one of those items that if I saw it at an antique shop, I might give 20 or 30 bucks for. Of course, yours might be the diamond encrusted model. I'm partial to pictures myself.

 

[chad]

What I mean is, I ve bought things that I didn t figure I would ever want, just because they were so nice.