Anyone who has studied Kirby company literature knows that it's rife with errors as to their previous model history.
I stand by my statement that the Handi-Butler first came out with the Model 510 if by no other basis than the fact that the 510 was the first instruction manual in which the Handi-Butler was mentioned or shown.
In the 510 and 511 manuals, it is noted "Optional Equipment." In the 512 manual, that notation was removed. So it seems safe to assume that from the 512 on, the Handi-Butler became part of the standard set of attachments -- probably because, priced at $24.95 in those days, it was a hard sell. ($25.00 in 1950 had the same buying power as $243.22 in 2013. -- see link.)
Furthermore, in case a more compelling case must be made, I have a set of official letters on company letterhead from the Kirby company to the sales force listing the cost of the machine and the various components.
For the Model 509, there is no listing for the price of a Handi-Butler.
The 510 price list has "Model 2510 Handi-Butler - $24.95."
The 513 price list (skipping a few models for brevity's sake) has "Model 2513 Handi-Butler - $24.95."
There were only minor changes in the Handi-Butler from the "Model 2510" to the "Model 2514" (Model 514 machine).
In 1955, the optional flexible shaft attachment was added to the "Model 2515" Handi-Butler. The Flexible Shaft cost an additional $14.95.
In 1956, the Handi-Butler was completely re-engineered and re-styled with new color-keyed housing elements and the addition of the Handi-Sharpener accessory for sharpening knives. However, the price for the all-new Handi-Butler remained at $24.95 and the cost for the Flexible Shaft remained at $14.95.
What can I say ....... I do my research!
But I'm not perfect ... Especially when I am writing stuff at 3 or 4 in the morning! When I have been positively shown to be incorrect about something, I am always glad to correct my mistakes as I do want my web pages to be as accurate as possible for the sake of research and documentation.
I will say, I have a very, very long list of corrections and additions to make to my "Kirby 500 Series" web pages. There are just so many hours in a day...............
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A couple of footnotes:
From March 5, 1953 to May 10, 1953, the price for "Kirby Model 513 with Standard Set of Attachments" jumped from $123.45 to $130.95. In today's money, that would be an increase from $1,061.58 to $1,126.08! Those 513s must have been flying off the shelf to justify such a steep increase!!
In 1956, the completely redesigned "50th Anniversary Model 516" -- trumpeted in Kirby literature as "The first totally new, dramatically redesigned Kirby in over 20 years!" -- was priced at $228.00 for the complete set of vacuum cleaner, attachment set, Power Polisher, Sprayer, and Handi-Butler+Flexible Shaft, or $1,953.32 in today's money. The "Kirby Upright Only" was priced at $142.45, or $1,220.40 in today's money.
In 1960, the Model 560's retail price for "Kirby Complete," consisting of the vacuum cleaner, attachment set, Power Polisher, Sprayer, Surface Nozzle+Swivel Connector, and Handi-Butler+Flexible Shaft was $248.00, or $1,936.77 in today's money. The "Kirby Upright Only" was $151.70, or $1,299.64 in today's money.
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
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