I was wondering...

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chuffle

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
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255
Location
Rural Pennsylvania
what a Wireless Vacuette would have cost new.

My grandmother had one (which I still have), and I know that they didn't have money to spare (my great-grandfather was a farmer, as was my grandfather). Knowing what today's Kirby costs, I'm curious as to what my grandparents would have shelled out to own such a machine.

Does anyone have the figures on what these vacs cost new?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Joe
 
Working on that one

That will take a bit of research. The Vacuette was introduced by Scott & Fetzer around 1915, though an even earlier machine was the Vital Rand circa 1914 and both were designed by James B. Kirby. I know, because I own both! The average cost was about $25.00, what the equievalant in todays money I don't know, I'm looking into that.

As for a Vacuette today? Most resale shops see it as junk, I got mine for $15.00 in a resale shop in Chicago in 1986, whereas I paid a stiff $75.00 for the Vital Rand in a vacuum cleaner shop in 1992. I was on vacation in New England and went vacuum cleaner hunting. While I was free to rummage in the basement, nothing had a price. The owner wanted the $75.00 and I paid it gladly.

The Vacuette would have been expensive for 1917 or so. Off hand, I would guess about $500.00. After all there was a payment plan even then! When I sold the Kirby Classic 111 in June of 1976 the cost was $549.00 complete. That meant Handi-Butler, Rug Renovator, Mirical Head and Handi-Waxer.

A bit of trivia here. The first vacuum cleaner was called the Whirlwind, it was introduced in June 1869 and the cost of this was $25.00. Whereas a room in a hotel at that time was about 50 cents.

If you have a Vacuette, hold onto it, you have a rare find there buddy. If you give me the patent numbers, and other information I can research it for you. Also on the bag there should be numbers. If the bag reads "New And Improved VACUETTE." it is about 1919. I will be glad to do a patent check for you. The first Kirby was a non-electric device called the "Domestic Cyclone" it came out in 1906. In 1907 Jim Kirby got rid of the water, added an electric motor, kept the name Domestic Cyclone and continued to perfect his ideas until he produced the Kirby 1-C in 1935.

I know all this because I was the training manager for several Kirby branch offices.

Alex Taber.
 
Wow

What a wealth of info!

I'll have to get the numbers off of the machine and run them by you. As of now, the vac is hanging up in a garage in town. The aluminum could use a good buffing, and I fear what is in the bag!

I remember the thrill, as a little kid, getting to go upstairs at my grandmother's (now my home) and playing with the Vacuette in the "truck room."

For the record, I also have my grandmother's GE Deluxe, two speed upright.

Fear of cleaning out the bags is what is keeping me from giving both of those machines a good work over with Mother's aluminum polish.

Thanks again,

Joe
 
Cleaning out old bags!

Vacuum cleaner bags that is! This is very easy to do. In case you are concerned with germs the answer is any vacuum cleaner with a hose. Carefully remove the bag from the bottom conection (leave the bag slide alone for now as it may rip the bag!) We can deal with that later. If it will not turn, spray W-D 40 and wait about an hour. Now, carefully fold the metal bag conector in toward the bag, to trap the dust inside. Insert the hose and turn on the vacuum cleaner letting the old dust go into the disposible bag and toss away. The Vacuette bag is now cleaned out. At this point you can remove the bag slide. Start by spraying W-D 40 under the slide and let it work for about an hour. Test it every once in a while to see if it moves. Don't force it, and yes it might take several applications of the W-D 40. You might even need to let it work overnight! As it starts to move, carefully ease it free. Be careful not to rip the bag. When the slide is off shake excess dist into a trash can, turn the bag inside out and vacuum it. DO NOT put it in the washing machine! just wipe the outside of the bag with windex. Any heavy rubbing will remove the lettering and might rip the bag. Any place that is ripped can be sewn, or if there is a bad rip, a patching kit for mens pants will work wonders. (Patch goes inside the bag where it is NOT noticed!)

Hope that helps.

Alex Taber.
 
Where are you located buddy?

What part of P. A. are you in? I live in the Allentown area and if you need help with the Vacuette, I might be able to do some of the restoaation for you. Also love to let you see my book of Kirby patents.

Good luck.

Alex Taber
 
What a Vacuette cost in 1919?

I'm still trying to figure out what the aquivelant of the 1919 doller would be today; but your grandparents would have shelled out about $25.00 for the machine. As I said, there was a payment plan for this, so no doubt that was big bucks back then.

Alex Taber
 
Punxsutawney is

in the west central part of the state, or western part of the state (as many claim around here). I'm 32 miles north-east of Indiana, PA and 16 miles south of DuBois, and Interstate 80. In a way, I am kind of in the middle of nowhere.

I sure would be open to your help with the restoration, as I am only good with 0000 steel wool and Mother's aluminum polish. I also wouldn't mind chatting with you about Kirbys, as I have a little collection of them, what I call the classic series, from the 1CR to the Legend II.

And thanks for the tips on cleaning that Vacuette bag. I'll work on that over the Christmas holiday break.

Joe
 
Mothers Polish.

Actually My mother is Scottish!

Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Forget the steel wool, it will only scratch the finish. But you are right about the 'Mothers' aluminum polish, it works wonders. The best way to start is with a cleanser called 'Barkepers Friend' put a small amount in a bowl, add enough water to make a thick paste and rub onto a small area. You will see years of dirt and tarnish come off. When all the aluminum is clean apply the 'Mothers' with a clean cloth acording to directions on the lable. Buff to a high gloss with a white crew sock, the machine will sparkle like new. As for the scratches, they add to the value, as do the marred wheels, stains on the dust bag and rust on the bag slide. And please, don't paint the wooden handle, the chipped paint proves it's age. Just think In ten years it will be a real antique. 25 years for Collectables, 100 years for antiques!

Do you plan to attend next years convention? If so please bring the vacuette so everybody can see it. This will be our 25th. Our club began on January 2, 1983, and we held our first meeting (all five of us) May 5, 6, & 7, 1985. Back then club headquarters was in Chesterton, Indiana. About half way between Chicago and South Bend.

I would love to talk to you about Kirby and a number of other brands. By the way, James B. Kirby was also Scottish. I know a lot about the company as I was a Kirby training manager for many years.

Your Kirby buddy,
Alex Taber
 
Thank you, arh 1953!

When it comes to math I stink! $308.60 for a Kirby was a hefty price, no wonder there was a payment plan. Here is another question. As I said in a previous post the oldest known vacuum cleaner is the Whirlwind. It cost $25.00 in 1869, as I own one, what would the cost of that have been? I'm guessing in the ball park of $500.00. Am I even close?

As a serious collector I want to know!

Alex Taber
 
Thanks for all of the wonderful info!

This Vacuette is special to me, as I remember being allowed to play with it in the upstairs storage room at my grandmother's. It is also special because I know that as farmers, my grandparents weren't rolling in dough (though my grandmother always told me that during the depression, they were poor but never hungry...there was always a chicken to butcher and veggies either fresh from the garden or canned in the basement), and to think that they owned a machine that probably set them back a little in their budget makes the machine almost sacred to me.

Kirby holds a dear place in my heart, as my parents splurged on a Classic 1CR, right after they splurged on their new avocado green plush wall to wall carpeting. (I am sure that my parents felt that they were "moving on up," as they covered the hardwood flooring with wall to wall plush.) I smile when I remember how the neighbors would always kid us...they knew when we were vacuuming, for if the windows were open, the neighborhood could hear the Kirby "whine."

Alex, I would love to talk Kirby with you, as I know that I would learn a lot.

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Joe
 
Happy Thanksgiving Joe

Hi Joe:

Feel free to call me at 610-760-0700. Evenings after 7:00 are the best time to reach me. My partner Ira, owns a residence hotel called Fine Lodging. Ask for Alex and say you are with the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club. Actually, Ira is related to the late Larry Fine. 'Larry' of "The Three Stooges."

I really want to share ideas with you on the history of Kirby.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Alex Taber.
 

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