New Photos of My Growing Collection!

[coffeecanman]

I have a few new additions coming soon, so I decided it was time to get things organized in my workshop down in the basement where most of my vacuum cleaner collection lives. It's a small space, so trying to get 50+ machines to fit in an aesthetically pleasing fashion is always a challenge. Overall, I'm happy with the way it came out.

 

[coffeecanman]

Wall of canisters...

 

[coffeecanman]

A coffee can for every occasion...

 

[coffeecanman]

The operating table...

 

[coffeecanman]

The Kirby section: quality over quantity...

 

[coffeecanman]

The "others"...

 

[fantomfan]

Beautiful!

What is the upright to the left of the straight suction Apex? I love the styling on that thing! I also really like your Air-Way upright. Still looking for one of my own!

 

[coffeecanman]

Thanks! That's actually an Apex as well, here's a better photo of it:

 

[caligula]

Growing collection:

Hi Coffee-can man:

That's an awsome display, and you've made good use of limited space. I love how you have some uprights on the walls, and see that you have a non electric upright called the Warner. I have one of those too. And here's a bit of trivia on it. In the movie 'My Fair Lady' with Audry Hepburn the Warner is being used in the song 'The rain in Spain.' It's a very short scene, but it is an action shot.

I also love the upright Air-Way, what year is it? my guess is around 1920. I also have one but nowhere near that condition, but then it was in storage for 9 years. I'm hoping to restore it to original. And that's a nice G.E. Roll-Around, I'm glad it's got a good home.

Alex Taber.

 

[coffeecanman]

Thanks Alex! Actually that pump cleaner is a Feeny, I found it at an antique shop while I was on vacation this summer, it was a good price so it came home with me. The airway is probably right around 1920, believe it or not all I did to it was a light polish. The woman who bought it new didn't care for it, so it came to me with just a little bit of dirt in the original disposable cellulose bag. The outer bag has a small water stain on it from storage, so I hope to find a nicer one someday. Everything else on it is like new! Would love to find a hose and dusting tools for it someday too. You know, so I can blow dry my hair with the oven...

 

[dysonman1]

The Air-Way is closer to 1929. You'll note the height adjustment levers on either side at the back of the nozzle. These launched with the model F in 1929. Also, the early Air-Way uprights (1920 - 1923) had black painted rear wheel support bracket and the very early ones had black painted nozzle tube (from motor to nozzle).

 

[coffeecanman]

Tom, you are correct. That was a typo, I meant to say right around 1930. I did not know all of those differences though, thanks for the info!

 

[caligula]

Non-electric pumper.

Hi Coffee-can man:

Here's a picture of the non electrics at the headquarters of the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club back in 1994.

Mine is the Warner, manufactured by the Warner vacuum cleaner company, Muncy, Indiana. While there were several of these pumpers sold under various names, they were all alike. For example the two identical pumpers on the end are the 'Grand,' and the 'Lawton.' Both of these were covered under the Kenny patent. David Kenny (I need to check correct spelling) was the man who regulated all non electric machines in the early 1900's. All of these have the same date stamp December 26, 1911 which makes them hard to research. Therefore the Feeny, Warner and several others are exactly the same.

Back in 1980, Stacy Krammes, director of the Hoover Historical Center gave me a ton of paperwork dealing with these machines. Once I locate the file ther're in I'll post them, as they make very interesting reading.

 

[caligula]

History of the non electric's.

The following material was given to me by Stacy Krammes long before the VCCC was ever thought of.

 

[caligula]

The next 3 pages are a brief history of various brands.

 

[caligula]

Page 2.

 

[caligula]

Page 3.

 

[caligula]

I also have several black and white glossies Stacy gave me, but I'll post those at another time. I'll also try to dig up the data on David T. Kenny.

Alex Taber.

 

[charleskirby66]

Kirby section!

WOW!  What beautiful machines!  It looks like you have a 505 or earlier in that collection!  What models do you have there?  They look stunning, you are so fortunate.  The earliest model I have is a 515 and that was a lucky find.

 

[coffeecanman]

Thanks Charles! I have a 505, 508, and 510. Any additional Kirbys in my collection will need to be pre-war.

 

[charleskirby66]

Kirby 508

Woah!  That's one of the next ones on my wish list, in honor of my stepdad's birth year.  The 515 is actually in honor of my Mom's birth year (and also, Disneyland's opening year).  You are so fortunate, beautiful collection but of course, Kirbys have a special place in my heart.

 

[fantomfan]

Very nice Apex!

I LOVE the styling on the motor housing!

 

[coffeecanman]

I love the design of the Apex's as well, they were certainly unique and stood out from the competition as far as looks went. This Apex model A3 from around 1923 has an interesting design with a few unusual features. The machine is powered on by turning the end cap on the handle grip, the wire runs through the wooden handle in a notched out channel. The height adjustment lever is on the front of the nozzle, and the bag has graphics on both sides!

 

[westyfan]

Love your collection!

You have some really nice cleaners. Do I spot a GE monitor top in the picture of your Kirby 505? I just recently purchased one and love the way it looks (and works)! What model of monitor top is that? I have a CK unit from 1936. Looks like you have quite the kitchen with a matching antique oven.

 

[hygiene903]

Beautiful Machines Brandon!

Nice collection, great variety, great pics. Love the other vintage appliances in the pics too!
Jeff

 

[northwesty]

Great machines, really vintage.

I rarely sees these now at estate sales, etc., can I ask where you have found some of them...

 

[coffeecanman]

Raymond - Thanks! Yes it's a monitor top, model CK-15-A16 c. 1934

Jeff - I appreciate the compliments!

Brian - Believe it or not I do still find a lot of good machines at estate sale. Craigslist is also a good place to look.

 

[coffeecanman]

My kitchen, for those interested:

 

[durango159]

Quite a nice collection of classic machines!!! You've done quite well at collecting the hard to find, classics that are the vacuum cleaner heritage.