The late, Great Stan Kann

[dysonman1]

Stan Kann was arguably the worlds first vacuum cleaner collector. His collection was amazing. Stan loved vacuums made before World War II, because he was made before World War II. His favorite vacuum was the Hoover 700. Stan gave me this beautiful Hoover 102 while he was still with us. It has the original bag. That was very important to him. I think every vacuum collector needs to know who he was. A kind, funny, caring man. I had so much fun every Sunday helping him polish and maintain his collection. It didn’t hurt that we would go upstairs in his house and he would play beautiful music, as he was a theater organist who is world renowned for music. But I think he loved vacuum cleaners even more. He just didn’t have very many people to share it with.

 

[centralvacs1928]

I feel fortunate to have met him. He had an amazing collection and great stories.

 

[maytag142c]

I was fortunate enough to have had a few conversations with him over the phone. He even sent me the belt cover to my 700. He was a kind man, very knowledgeable, and had a wonderful sense of humor. I’m very proud to have had that time.

 

[electrolux137]

Stan Kann the Gadget Man


I met Stan when he was living in Hollywood. I got to know him through a mutual friend who came over to my place one day and declared, "I don't believe it! Another nut with a house-full of old vacuum cleaners!"

Wait, what--? ANOTHER friend with old vacuum cleaners? Knock me down with a crevice tool!

He replied, “I can’t believe you've never heard of Stan Kann, that zany guy who’s been on the Carson show a bunch of times with his gadgets and antique vacuum cleaners that never work! He's the organist at my church.”

I couldn’t believe my ears! Another person on this planet who not only is interested in vacuums but who is also a church organist, like me. I was very anxious to meet him. My friend didn’t know Stan's number but thought it was in the phone book.

The next day I looked up his telephone number. I phoned him and introduced myself by saying, “Mr. Kann, my name is Charlie Lester [the name I went by at the time]. You don’t know me, but I am calling because we have something in common.”

“What's that?” came the vaguely suspicious reply.

“I have here in my living room a 1937 Electrolux Model XXX, a 1925 Scott and Fetzer Sanitation System, and a 1936 Hoover Model 150 vacuum cleaner.”

In his inimitable way, he asked, “Well, what are you doing with all that stuff!?” He was quite surprised to hear from me, and we talked for a long time that first day.

Stan and I immediately became dear friends, and from that fateful day in 1991 that we first met until the day he moved back to St. Louis in 1998, I was a regular fixture in his home, and he in mine. We also had a rarely-missed, standing Wednesday evening dinner date at the Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard (now torn down, alas) where we’d talk about music and vacuum cleaners.

It was a sad day indeed in the Spring of 1998 when I stood in his driveway on Highland Avenue and bid him a teary farewell as he left to return to St. Louis. Of course, we maintained our deep friendship via telephone and mail, and I did see him several times in the intervening years, even performing together at Plummer Auditorium in 2003. But, obviously, that was not the same as having him nearly walking distance from my apartment.

I had just spoken to Stan the Saturday before he died, having called to tell him about an exciting opportunity that had come to me out of the blue: I would be flying to Sydney, Australia at the end of October to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Hoover Company, where I was a media representative to discuss the history of the Hoover Vacuum Cleaner and to help show a large Hoover exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum in Sydney. Stan was very enthused to hear about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and said, “Be sure to tell me all about it when you get back.”

If only I could have.


http://www.1377731.com/stan

 

[dysonman1]

Thank you for sharing Charles. Stan always spoke so highly of you and really valued your friendship.

I would sit and listen to his stories for hours. I was just reminded a few days ago of the story he told about the door-to-door Air-Way man whom he stopped and asked for a brochure on his way home from school. That brochure was for an Air-Way twin motor Chief. I have that very brochure that he was given that day. I still have so much of his literature and paperwork that I have not cataloged.

 

[vinvac]

Stan was an amazing man. He could be playing the Mighty Wurlitzer, humming a totally different tune and entertaining all at one time.

I never had the privilege to hear him play in person but did get to visit his home, see his collection and with the advice of other club members avoided riding with him. I tried following him and quickly understood why riding with him could be a bit of a problem.

I also have seen re-runs of his time on the Johnny Carson show.

So thankful that his friends at the Fox Theater were so good to him and that the organ he worked so hard to save is still being maintained and cared for in the same way Stan would have cared for it.

 

[dysonman1]

This Hoover, model 541, belonged to Stan’s Aunt Cora. He wrote a little note about it and put it under the wrapped cord. Apparently it was purchased in 1923. He told me she would wipe it off with a rag every time she saw it. The matte finish was correct, Hoover would not polish and shine any of their machines until 1926. This is one of the models Stan always showed off. He was so proud of this vacuum, and the care that had been taken of it since it was new. The fact that it had belonged to his aunt was icing on the cake.

 

[caligula]

Electrolux 137.

Do you remember the day you brought Stan to my house in La Mesa, California? That was a fun day.

Alex Taber.

 

[dysonman1]

Alex

Hans has told me the story many times of going with Charles and the late Stan Kann to visit you. He said he almost died in a car wreck as Stan was so short he couldn't see over the top of the steering wheel. And paid no attention to what or who was around his car. I rode with him on several occasions and can say it was like taking your life into your own hands.

Hans said you had a beautiful ranch style home in California that was spotless and immaculate (Hans' Words)[this post was last edited: 8/6/2022-10:59]

 

[caligula]

I forgot Hans was there.

That was a fun day.

Yes that house was awesome, here are a few pictures. Some with the original carpeting, others with the new. A dark green. I really landed in a bucket of gold when I bought that house. You might like the second to last pic in this line up. That was in my bedroom. Hint, the vacuum cleaner that started it all. And it's still my daily driver. In last pic the plug on the cord winder had snapped off. So it's a model LXI, but has the correct winder now. If you look closely at the first pic. you'll see the Whirlwind in the left corner. [this post was last edited: 8/6/2022-16:01]

 

[caligula]

Forgot the fireplace.

This was also with the original carpet. As to the silver vacuum cleaner in the dining room it's a Dust Killer. Dates back to 1909, and was the first one in a Sears catalog. Cat next to it was a Japanese bobtail named Schoch, meaning small. I know you saw my Whirlwind, and used it, but for those who have never seen one, here it is. And yes, the photo is all of us at Hoover in 1994. That was a fun meeting.

 

[caligula]

Pictures of Dust Killer and Whirlwind,

were not taken in that house in California. They predate it by about three years.

Tom, do you know the joke about that house? It was on Prince Lane. A block away was Queen Avenue. Had I bought a house there I'd never be able to live it down. As it was, I had that house for ten years, and loved it.

Oh, cat on fireplace hearth is a statue, not real. And as to Caligula, the cat in my avatar, as I recall you met him in 1993. That was also a fun weekend.

 

[dysonman1]

Alex

Hans told me in great detail about that house today. But I couldn’t begin to imagine how lovely that carpet is. That shade of green is my husbands favorite. I love your kitchen. Love love love it. I know it’s not yours anymore but. What I wouldn’t have given to cook a meal in it. I was recently gifted what I considered to be one of those rare gifts that come along in life. An original virtually new box, hose, and attachments for a model 60. The box is on the wall at my store and I think of you every time I look at it. You have definitely made an impression on me with your model 60. It’s been three decades, and I still remember all of the things you told me about it. Things I never knew.

 

[caligula]

Thanks Tom:

That kitchen was completely remolded before the owner put it up for sale. It was a dream house for sure, but what sold me was the real knotty pine and the cathedral ceilings. Never took pictures of the garage, which was my display room, but as you saw the V.C.C.C. clubhouse in Naperville, you have a good idea. As to the kitchen, the best feature is not shown. A baking counter of the same tile. I did a lot of cooking, and baking in that house. It truly was a dream come true. Glad you have gotten to see the pictures. And here's a look at my first Christmas tree, yes with old carpet.

Alex.

 

[caligula]

Ah yes the Electrolux box.

Have a look at this one. Look familiar?

 

[dysonman1]

One of Stan's vacuums that he always demonstrated (and he took it on the Tonight Show), was a vac he called "The Dust Killer". Non-Electric and in beautiful condition, the hose had a glass see-thru chamber where you could see the dust swirl. Unlike other non-electric tank type cleaners, this one had the ability for the hose to be used at the ejection end of the bellows, making it into a blower. How much fun for the whole family?

 

[caligula]

Tom,

nice avatar.

I'm talking about the dog. As you know, modern vacuum cleaners hold no interest to me, anything past 1960 is dull as dishwater. Well except for Electrolux, and Kirby, I'll, give them to the late 1960's 1205, and D-80 respectfully. And as you know my favorites are still the very early ones like the Dust Killer, or Hoover model O.

I know you met Caligula, he was a young cat back then. Did you know he lived a few months shy of 20? These pic's. are my first Christmas at Prince Lane, the second is the previous Christmas in Naperville, and the last is Christmas of 1989, at a friend's house in Lombard, Illinois.

 

[caligula]

Actually it's an Ideal.

One of the early ones, I think 1890. Dust Killer was a two tier machine that was introduced in 1909, and the first vacuum cleaner in the Sears catalog. The first electric in their catalog was the Eckhardt. I posted the Dust Killer before, but will post both now. Eckhardt is bottom right of pic. 2. The line up is Lakeside, Dust Killer. Lower machines are, Cyclone, Ideal (different version than Stan's,) and the Eckhardt.

Do you have a Leisure? That thing was a beast! Got it right after our annual meeting in 93. Got it from Peter Frye, who was also with us that weekend, remember him?

 

[caligula]

Better look.

Eckhardt, 1911.