Ok, I just fell out of my chair....

[electrogirl]

....when I saw what this ended up selling for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110192349799&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001

 

[petek]

While it was pricey it's complete and an early model..notice top mount hose connection. PLUS it is in extremely good condition and comes with the original box.. So it probably was worth it. You'd pay that much for one of the brand new imitation Constellations.
And no I didn't buy it.

 

[electrogirl]

Pete,

Take a look at this...It is your Lilac upright. Not too shabby either.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320181561679&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011

 

[ian88]

Well to be fair, that Connie is -very- nice

 

[electrogirl]

Beautiful

It is a beautiful Connie. Whoever purchased it is a lucky person indeed. I forgot how complete it was with the box for the vac and the box for the tools as well!

I guess I still get shocked sometimes by the prices I see on eBay. But, I would also rather have that than any new Connie.

 

[ohio_tuec]

I'm really amazed at how much these original Connies fetch nowadays on eBay. As little as 10 or 15 years ago, I would still find these cleaners thrown out. I guess it can be said that the Hoover Constellation is a recognizable cult classic, just like the Volkswagen Beetle. Yes, this one is in very nice shape.

 

[aeoliandave]

10 or 15 years ago isn't so little anymore. Consider that the original owners were senior citizens who'd lived through Wars and Depressions, knew how to squeeze the pennies, there was no such thing as creditcards' easy money and the goods were well built to last a lifetim...or two. 10/15 years ago these good folks were either downsizing, upgrading or passing away. The vacs then went into the hands of relatives or to the Thift Shops when they were local charities - instead of today's private corporations masquerading as thrift shops, for example Value Village.

These secondhand vacuums were then used by college students and young marrieds who soon replaced them with something newer and therefore deemed 'better' and 'that old vacuum' was banished to the gargage for the dirty chores or turfed to the curbside. Then along comes Hepa to coerce a whole new generation of folks who have forgotten how good Granny's vacuum was to replace their plastic 70s & 80s junk and that's what's showing up in the bargain shops now. We're all familiar with the sort of rusted out junk that gets posted in ebay as rare & valuable. Any one else notice the glut of dubious offerings coming from the New Orleans area the past couple years?

As enthusiastic collectors we know what we're looking for and accumulate more vacuums than your regular sane person sees a need for :_) and as pointed out, while we are usually favoured with cheap good luck for what no one else wants, sometimes something so superb comes along and we've earned the right to pay more than we ever have. Bear in kind 'tho, still a fraction of what an equivalent TOL vacuum would cost us today. Now imagine this - when we pass on to our reward imagine the thrill and gratitude the next recipient will feel when they lay eyes on something so gorgeous. Assuming we have our bequest affairs in order. Mmmm?

So, I say if you come across a +45 year old vacuum in essentially original condition - whether it has all its tools or not we collectors tend to have large bins of spare parts squirreled away - you don't hesitate to welcome it home where it will be lovingly cleaned up, used, cherished and appreciated.

 

[petek]

So Dave, when you pass on to your just reward, who's getting a big thrill. LOL

 

[ohio_tuec]

Curbside specials

To me, at times 10 or 15 years ago seems like nothing at all. In all honesty, my point in making that reference is that 10 or 15 years ago, I found much better vacuums tossed out. I salvaged Constellations, and kept the working ones. They were a dime a dozen at that time. I was more interested in the Kirbys and Royals which were more plentiful then. I remember even picking up a Premier Duplex from the '20's around that time. Unless it's something really spectacular, I can't see spending telephone numbers on Constellations. I probably would only spend that much on an original Constellation 82 with the box and owner's manual, although I did break down and buy a pearl white Connie new from Hoover as soon as it came out....

 

[aeoliandave]

I totally agree with you, Karl. It's a deteriorating situation out there for impassioned collectors of anything who just wanna have a bit of fun. Look what's happened to the Lionel Train hobby in the past 15 years. With the explosion of internet access everyone 'knows what things are worth...and more! There's no fun to be had at Saturday garage sales when the guy wants $50 for a bashed up locomotive. And there's no point in haggling; you're speaking two different mindset languages. Just walk away and spare yourself the stress. When another one comes along reasonably priced you won't know about it...or, you'll be there, spot it and walk away a happy man or woman. That's how 95% of my Lionels & accessories were accummulated. For that special one of a kind item you'd sell your little finger. Fortunately, sellers prefer cash.

My Dad taught us kids "When you buy a new car, invest in the top model and get the bigger engine and take care of it". Dad knew a thing or two about future re-sale value; he was the Parts Manager at Stedelbauer Chevrolet/Cadillac in London. Of course this was back when a full size Chevrolet meant a choice of Biscayne, BelAire or an Impala. He'd quote the same homily any time something new was wanted. Mom would just sigh "Oh, Jack", let him have his way and of course basked in the aura of fine quality ownership. What does this have to do with old vacuums? Well, that Canadian Connie 841E that started this thread wouldn't have survived in such great shape unless someone took great care of it like my Mom & Dad & Grandparents would have. A simple hypothetical test - how much trash do you have on the backseat floor of your car right now? How long since it was last cleaned up? Are your trunk carpet & seat seams vacuumed regularly? Wipe the mud from your doorframes and sills after every carwash? Do you clear your rear window of snow & ice before heading out or just give it a quick swat with your hand? How much would your car be worth as a trade-in right now? It appalls me on a casual survey walk across the mall parking lot how people treat their brand new cars but heck, it's their car.

It makes me sad that I can no longer drop by the Salvation Army store and rummage through a big bin of hoses, wands and tools like I could 15 years ago, too. Stumbling across items like that Hoover polisher or Tom's astounding find is a genuine right place, right time thing, especially these days. Church rummage sales used to be a goldmine for domestic appliances. But I'll continue to go to these place because you just never know...

Would I be willing to pay $2000 for a new Filter Queen or a Kirby? No way. If they hadn't been out of stock at Home Hardware a couple months ago I would have sprung for the new Connie in stainless steel when it went on sale. Sure the new Connie ain't all festooned with today's bells & whistles but it sure is classicly purty. In the right hands it'll stay looking that good decades down the road.

 

[rocketwarrior]

Collections

Years ago, I represented the administrator of an estate of a collector. The place was a stuffed mess (I am working on such an estate now). Anyway, in a garage we found a stack of something - plywood? But there were closed spaces in between the sheets. It turned out that they were 4' x 8' display boards with narrow shelves for Lionel, etc. trains all laid flat in a stack. We also found other cache's of trains and accessories. We had a train collector help us and set up an auction of just the trains.
My point: I roamed discreetly among the bidders (not wearing my rocket warrior gear - smile) as I always do, listening and trying to figure out who the "players" are. A young man, barely 20, was bidding high on nice stuff. He would keep eye contact with another man (turned out to be his father - the money man, investor). Anyway, the kid had done the research and had the tech savvy and time - and dad had the dough. He was picking up merchandise to pedal on eBay. And that was years ago.
Ahhh, the times, they is a changin'.

 

[collector2]

It might also be interesting to note that this connie also had a rug nozzle from a Switson Industries made machine with it. (could have been a Viking, Coronado or several other brand names). And yes, I find that a rediculous price for a used vacuum, even one in that shape.