caligula
Well-known member
I'm starting to count down the days, and know it's going to be an awesome gathering. Hope to see you there.
Alex Taber.
Alex Taber.
The convention is only two weeks away.
- Thread starter caligula
- Start date
Help Support VacuumLand:
For those attending the VCCC convention...
Would anyone be interested in these three Hoovers. I recently purchased a new home and I would like to scale down on my vacuum collection. If you are interested please email me. I would prefer not to haul these back home with me.
Would anyone be interested in these three Hoovers. I recently purchased a new home and I would like to scale down on my vacuum collection. If you are interested please email me. I would prefer not to haul these back home with me.
aspie62
Active member
VCCC Door Mat
Caligula, love the name by the way, where did you get that door mat, I would LOVE to get one?
Caligula, love the name by the way, where did you get that door mat, I would LOVE to get one?
caligula
Well-known member
Hi aspie62.
My username 'Caligula' is actually that of the first and only club mascot. Caligula was a cream colored cat. The term Caligula is Latin for 'little boots,' as the apricot markings on his paws.
Caligula, seen here, resting on my lap was the greeter for the members who attended the second meeting of the V.C.C.C. which was held in my home the first weekend of May, 1985, and he served as mascot till 1993. In 94, the V.C.C.C. had it's first outside meeting when we returned to our birthplace, The Hoover Historical Center. The following year we were guests of Bob Kautzman aka. "The Vac-Hunter."
As for the kitty, he was about a year old in this photo, and lived till January 7, 2004 (a few months shy of 20 years) I use his name as tribute to the many years of love he gave me.
Alex Taber.
[this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-20:44]
My username 'Caligula' is actually that of the first and only club mascot. Caligula was a cream colored cat. The term Caligula is Latin for 'little boots,' as the apricot markings on his paws.
Caligula, seen here, resting on my lap was the greeter for the members who attended the second meeting of the V.C.C.C. which was held in my home the first weekend of May, 1985, and he served as mascot till 1993. In 94, the V.C.C.C. had it's first outside meeting when we returned to our birthplace, The Hoover Historical Center. The following year we were guests of Bob Kautzman aka. "The Vac-Hunter."
As for the kitty, he was about a year old in this photo, and lived till January 7, 2004 (a few months shy of 20 years) I use his name as tribute to the many years of love he gave me.
Alex Taber.
[this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-20:44]
caligula
Well-known member
Hi aspie62.
The doormat is one of a kind, here's the story behind it.
The Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club was founded by John Lucia and myself after we spent a weekend at The Hoover Historical Center in September 1982, though the official opening date is January 2, 1983.
A month later, we knew we needed all the usual things like official stationary, letterhead, logo and so on. Naturally we turned to the woman most responsible for introducing John and I, Stacy Krammes, director of the Hoover Historical Center. As fate would have it, her daughter, Liz, was studying graphic art in collage, and we hired her to create our logo. The actual machine was a British non electric shown here, and called The Baby Daisy, it dates back to 1890.
About a year later, a friend of mine, Helen Nowicki, asked to have a copy of our logo, and had this rug made for me as a birthday present. Actually there are two, one misspelled the word collector's (Collectors) and I got both.
This one was at the entrance of my display room, which I made the official club museum for the years I ran the club 1983-1995.
Our logo has also been used on a sheet cake, the first one goes back to our first meeting in 1984, and is what I post at all birthdays, anniversaries and so on.
If you plan to attend the convention let me know, I have that rug and might bring it with me.
Alex Taber.
The doormat is one of a kind, here's the story behind it.
The Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club was founded by John Lucia and myself after we spent a weekend at The Hoover Historical Center in September 1982, though the official opening date is January 2, 1983.
A month later, we knew we needed all the usual things like official stationary, letterhead, logo and so on. Naturally we turned to the woman most responsible for introducing John and I, Stacy Krammes, director of the Hoover Historical Center. As fate would have it, her daughter, Liz, was studying graphic art in collage, and we hired her to create our logo. The actual machine was a British non electric shown here, and called The Baby Daisy, it dates back to 1890.
About a year later, a friend of mine, Helen Nowicki, asked to have a copy of our logo, and had this rug made for me as a birthday present. Actually there are two, one misspelled the word collector's (Collectors) and I got both.
This one was at the entrance of my display room, which I made the official club museum for the years I ran the club 1983-1995.
Our logo has also been used on a sheet cake, the first one goes back to our first meeting in 1984, and is what I post at all birthdays, anniversaries and so on.
If you plan to attend the convention let me know, I have that rug and might bring it with me.
Alex Taber.
caligula
Well-known member
V.C.C.C. conventions.
The Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club has had an interesting number of gatherings over the years, but the first were not conventions, they were meetings. As mentioned in another post, it was Mike Pupek, one of our original members who suggested we all get together. and after that my home in Naperville, Illinois became the meeting site. While these would be best described as a mini-meet today, they were all we had, and served us well till 1994, when we went to Hoover, and Allentown, PA. in 95. Posted here are some of those gatherings. The first are the key members of the club (too numerous to mention.) The next is me with my friend Bob Kautzman, aka. "The Vac-Hunter," at Hoover in 94, and our honorary member Stan Kann. The last are the convention I attended in 2006, here are the key members of the club.
Yes, meeting to convention, what a wild ride it's been, the next one is 6 days away, hope to see YOU there.
Alex Taber. [this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-22:04]
The Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club has had an interesting number of gatherings over the years, but the first were not conventions, they were meetings. As mentioned in another post, it was Mike Pupek, one of our original members who suggested we all get together. and after that my home in Naperville, Illinois became the meeting site. While these would be best described as a mini-meet today, they were all we had, and served us well till 1994, when we went to Hoover, and Allentown, PA. in 95. Posted here are some of those gatherings. The first are the key members of the club (too numerous to mention.) The next is me with my friend Bob Kautzman, aka. "The Vac-Hunter," at Hoover in 94, and our honorary member Stan Kann. The last are the convention I attended in 2006, here are the key members of the club.
Yes, meeting to convention, what a wild ride it's been, the next one is 6 days away, hope to see YOU there.
Alex Taber. [this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-22:04]
caligula
Well-known member
The club logo and lettterhead.
Hi guys:
I just got an interesting email addressing the issue of the logo rug. Rather than saying it numerous private emails, I'm responding here.
When I founded the club, I knew we needed a newsletter, but this doesn't mean I knew how to write professionally. As my mom, Anne Taber, was an executive secretary in Chicago, I appointed her club secretary (pictured here.)
At the first meeting in 84, the topic of collectors VS collector's was debated, but we all agreed that as we had logo, letterhead and so on, to leave it as it was.
Today it's a moot subject as I'm no longer in the management aspect of the club. As for the rug, while I do plan to bring it to the convention, I have no intention of reproducing it as the logo is obsolete.
Alex Taber.
[this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-22:06]
Hi guys:
I just got an interesting email addressing the issue of the logo rug. Rather than saying it numerous private emails, I'm responding here.
When I founded the club, I knew we needed a newsletter, but this doesn't mean I knew how to write professionally. As my mom, Anne Taber, was an executive secretary in Chicago, I appointed her club secretary (pictured here.)
At the first meeting in 84, the topic of collectors VS collector's was debated, but we all agreed that as we had logo, letterhead and so on, to leave it as it was.
Today it's a moot subject as I'm no longer in the management aspect of the club. As for the rug, while I do plan to bring it to the convention, I have no intention of reproducing it as the logo is obsolete.
Alex Taber.
[this post was last edited: 6/6/2014-22:06]
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Dr.Taber-
I have a question relevant to the early days of the V.C.C.C!
Was there ever a VHS or Betamax vacuum cleaner tape series? If it was the 1980s-not only would America be fun and grand, but it would've been fun to make a tape demonstrating the various machines in the museum and being mailed out to members?
I have a question relevant to the early days of the V.C.C.C!
Was there ever a VHS or Betamax vacuum cleaner tape series? If it was the 1980s-not only would America be fun and grand, but it would've been fun to make a tape demonstrating the various machines in the museum and being mailed out to members?
super-sweeper
Well-known member
Dr.Taber-
I have a question relevant to the early days of the V.C.C.C!
Was there ever a VHS or Betamax vacuum cleaner tape series? If it was the 1980s-not only would America be fun and grand, but it would've been fun to make a tape demonstrating the various machines in the museum and being mailed out to members?
I have a question relevant to the early days of the V.C.C.C!
Was there ever a VHS or Betamax vacuum cleaner tape series? If it was the 1980s-not only would America be fun and grand, but it would've been fun to make a tape demonstrating the various machines in the museum and being mailed out to members?
caligula
Well-known member
Hi super-sweeper
Yes there were several, but they were all private collections, and some of them were fantastic.
As for others, there's 'The History of Machines,' and others out there like the history channel, but the tapes of private collectors were the best as we got to see what our friends had.
This might be a good segment for the convention, if you do attend, raise the topic.
Alex Taber.
Yes there were several, but they were all private collections, and some of them were fantastic.
As for others, there's 'The History of Machines,' and others out there like the history channel, but the tapes of private collectors were the best as we got to see what our friends had.
This might be a good segment for the convention, if you do attend, raise the topic.
Alex Taber.
caligula
Well-known member
One of the best,
was Mike Pupek looking at Stan Kann's collection in Los Angeles. The best part was the neighbor walking his dog, and looking at Stan with that questioning look. I have that video, and a few others including one I made in Naperville, Illinois around 1991. I'll see what others I have and let you know. As for the early meetings, no, we didn't tape those, too bad we didn't, but the few videos we have are great.
Alex Taber.
was Mike Pupek looking at Stan Kann's collection in Los Angeles. The best part was the neighbor walking his dog, and looking at Stan with that questioning look. I have that video, and a few others including one I made in Naperville, Illinois around 1991. I'll see what others I have and let you know. As for the early meetings, no, we didn't tape those, too bad we didn't, but the few videos we have are great.
Alex Taber.
super-sweeper
Well-known member
that's fun!
Unfortunately I will not be attending the convention. Perhaps the tapes could be transferred to digital for all of vacuumland to see, pharmacies such as Walgreens does this! They would be so fun to watch-especially at a V.C.C.C movie night at a convention some day!
Unfortunately I will not be attending the convention. Perhaps the tapes could be transferred to digital for all of vacuumland to see, pharmacies such as Walgreens does this! They would be so fun to watch-especially at a V.C.C.C movie night at a convention some day!
caligula
Well-known member
Hi super-sweeper
I just found the one I did. My buddy Doug recorded me talking about my collection in May 5, 1987, exactly a month before the annual meeting. That started with the Whirlwind which I for Christmas 1986, and covered several non electric's, the Kirby Vacuette, two upright Air-Way's, a Hoover 541, the first two Rexairs, the first Electrolux's, and finally a look at the display room.
Here are the pictures of the meeting that year. Mike Pupek gives a talk, followed by a look at the machines during a break, then I talk about the Whirlwind, and finally a group photo. Those of us in attendance are (clockwise) Norbert Miller, assistant editor, Don O'Connor, John Lucia cofounder, Mike Pupek, Anne R. Taber my mom and club secretary, and finally me.
Every year the room was redesigned as more and more machines were added. When I had to have second row of Kirby's, I knew it was time to move the collection. Since I had a three car garage that I wasn't using, I turned it into the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Clubhouse.
And to think 20+ years later, the gatherings are still going on, but now there conventions.
I just found the one I did. My buddy Doug recorded me talking about my collection in May 5, 1987, exactly a month before the annual meeting. That started with the Whirlwind which I for Christmas 1986, and covered several non electric's, the Kirby Vacuette, two upright Air-Way's, a Hoover 541, the first two Rexairs, the first Electrolux's, and finally a look at the display room.
Here are the pictures of the meeting that year. Mike Pupek gives a talk, followed by a look at the machines during a break, then I talk about the Whirlwind, and finally a group photo. Those of us in attendance are (clockwise) Norbert Miller, assistant editor, Don O'Connor, John Lucia cofounder, Mike Pupek, Anne R. Taber my mom and club secretary, and finally me.
Every year the room was redesigned as more and more machines were added. When I had to have second row of Kirby's, I knew it was time to move the collection. Since I had a three car garage that I wasn't using, I turned it into the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Clubhouse.
And to think 20+ years later, the gatherings are still going on, but now there conventions.
dysonman1
Well-known member
First VCCC conventions
I actually recorded on VHS tape, some of the all time best Conventions of the VCCC from when I was President. Our trip to Electrolux is one such tape. I have the tapes of the Conventions in St. Louis that Stan Kann attended, as well as many tapes of myself and Stan at his home where I would go every Sunday to visit him and play with vacuums.
Thanks for the photos Alex: I remember them well. That first meeting in your garage was absolutely one of the all time favorites. We had so much fun.
This is a photo of the first Cleaning Contest in 1994 (I think) where we gave out awards for Best Cleaning, Best Restored, Best Original, etc. I'm in the white shirt with the Hoover model 61, which won TWO blue ribbons. Clay Floyd's late partner Dennis is to my right, with his restored Hoover 700. David Watters is on my left with his Columbus (which is now in the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James). Mike Pletcher is taking pictures for the Newsletter.
Of course, today, we still have a Convention every year at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum - and it's still just as much fun as the ones I had with the old VCCC.
I actually recorded on VHS tape, some of the all time best Conventions of the VCCC from when I was President. Our trip to Electrolux is one such tape. I have the tapes of the Conventions in St. Louis that Stan Kann attended, as well as many tapes of myself and Stan at his home where I would go every Sunday to visit him and play with vacuums.
Thanks for the photos Alex: I remember them well. That first meeting in your garage was absolutely one of the all time favorites. We had so much fun.
This is a photo of the first Cleaning Contest in 1994 (I think) where we gave out awards for Best Cleaning, Best Restored, Best Original, etc. I'm in the white shirt with the Hoover model 61, which won TWO blue ribbons. Clay Floyd's late partner Dennis is to my right, with his restored Hoover 700. David Watters is on my left with his Columbus (which is now in the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James). Mike Pletcher is taking pictures for the Newsletter.
Of course, today, we still have a Convention every year at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum - and it's still just as much fun as the ones I had with the old VCCC.
