Odd Auction find - British Thomson-Houston

[tonynz]

Hi there all,

I've visited this site many times, but have only just signed up, so first... Hi!

Second, I got my hands on an odd beast a few days ago from a local auction website & I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with, or knowledge of the history of the brand. I've had a decent Google without much luck, I've found info on the company, but not their involvement with vacuums, and no way to put an age to it...

The brand is "British Thomson-Houston" and the model number is the 500. I've never seen anything similar here in New Zealand, what about you guys? (I'll attach some photos, but keep in mind I haven't cleaner her up yet).

In the box of accessories there where two cardboard sheets (basic instructions and how to fit & use the hose and accessories), handwritten in pencil on the top of both cards is the note: "7th January 1950", I'm guessing that's when the original owner first purchased it. Maybe?

Also in one of the photos you can see the information plate, the serial number is either "J2" or "12" (I'm leaning toward J2), if their serial numbers were sequential this could possibly have been one of the first made.

Any thoughts?

 

[kirbylux77]

Very nice cleaner there! Based on that first picture, I am going to guess this cleaner was made by a division of General Electric over in Australia/New Zealand/England. It is also entirely possible that General Electric had a agreement with British Thomson-Houston to import cleaners & sell them under that name. This may be why you were able to find info on the company, but not on their vacuums. If you look up old General Electric upright posts here on Vacuumland, the metal belt cover on the front of the nozzle is characteristic of GE designs from the late 1920's to early 1950's. And I do believe they also made a "junior" size cleaner for smaller homes, like yours.

I would suggest posting some pictures of the information sheets & accessories on here, especially the hose & hose connectors. That will be a HUGE giveaway as to the cleaner's true origins.

Hope this helps with your quest to find out more about your new cleaner.

Rob

 

[vintagerepairer]

The GE connection is spot-on according to Wikipedia. Also this cleaner looks very much like the GEC cleaner in this advert.

http://https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomson-Houston_Electric_Company

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint UK

Hi Tony and welcome to the club, I would say that model was an export model, it was badged Hotpoint here in the UK and was indeed made by Hotpont which parent company at that time was BTH Ltd.

Is yours painted or does it need a good scaling, because ours where shiny metal finish. The Hotpoint Junior 400 was the first model, look how tiny the motor and base looks, lovely swivel wheels..

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint Senior

Following on from the model 400, was this larger version but when you look underneath the Darth Vader like hood its basically the same vac.
But I think it looks stunning with that smooth sleek design style.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Mike.

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I do love the look of your Darth Vader Hotpoint...</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Keep it polished

</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint Darth Vader

Hi James, will do, have the tools as well but the braided covered rubber hose is solid in the box ha ha...

 

[kirbymodel2c]

It's...

<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Sad when the hose's go stiff with age.</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">If ever your passing bring the Hotpoint point with you I'd like to see one in person.</span>


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Mind you, you have a very nice collection of vacuum  cleaners. There's probably quite a few I'd like to see in person.</span>


 


<span style="font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>