VCCC Newsletter

[dysonman1]

I recently came across my stack of VCCC newsletters. They were done in color and had beautiful ads. Having been president of the club for six years, I was responsible for many newsletters. We had four per year. I remember having them printed and mailing them out. That’s what you got for $25 per year membership fee.

If anyone is interested, I can take them over to Staples and have them re-printed. Such a great reference tool to have.

This was the beautiful Christmas edition.

 

[dysonman1]

So much good information. This one is the Stan Kann edition. I have read it so many times I have it memorized. Beautiful ads as well.

 

[dysonman1]

The art deco issue is beautiful. Definitely something that should be in every collectors library.

 

[dysonman1]

The Electrolux issue is fascinating. Full of wonderful information. Every Electrolux collector should have a copy.

 

[dysonman1]

This was a very infamous issue. Wonderful articles and great ads.

 

[dysonman1]

The “America” issue. Just beautiful.

 

[dysonman1]

This was a fantastic convention. And look, the very first Dacian won a blue ribbon.

 

[luxlife]

WOW! Such an understatement to call these NEWSLETTERS!!!

TOM!
Newsletter my a$$!
Y’all should’ve called it “Vacuum Collectors Digest”, or “Vacuum Collectors Quarterly”. It’ll be hard for anyone to outdo these. Even if they do, it’s still sad to think that the “old garde” of vacuum collectors have been turned off and are no longer involved......

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Say Tom what would it cost to have reproductions made? Would love to have some copes here, even just some decent Xeroxes

 

[s31463221]

Interested as well....

I’m with Andy, I’d love to have some copies of these, ESPECIALLY the Electrolux edition!

 

[dysonman1]

Well, according to the bylaws of the VCCC at the time the newsletter was not copywrited. Charles Lester and Richard Llien worked so hard to make it worth a million to the several hundred members of the VCCC. I worked on them for six years and think I exhausted my entire library. There were so many wonderful articles written by members like R J Vanik (also a fellow President) on how to rebuild an airway. Charles Lester had a wonderful series of articles on how to buff Kirbys. Ads for the EZEE which was not made by the Kirby company, even if no one there knows it. My favorite of course is Charles Lester’s interview with Stan Kann. My very good friend and mentor. Thank God his collection is in my hands and in my museum.

I will be more than happy to have these re-printed for anyone who is interested. You just have to pay the cost that Staples will charge me for the reprint and the postage to send it to you. Knowledge is power. And it should be shared with everyone.

 

[rivstg1]

Id be interested

to know what the reprinting cost might be per issue
Kelton

 

[dysonman1]

Some of the issues have many more pages than others. One of the newsletters was more than 60. We put a lot of time and effort into making them for all of you. According to the bylaws of the club, we had to spend all the money that was in the treasury every year and start over fresh. That is why the Christmas issue was entirely printed in color. We were very transparent about where the money went, since the money came from the members. We never spent it frivolously. There are approximately 40 color newsletters. I’m going to Staples today and will get a price.

 

[kenkart]

Oh Yes

I have ALL of them from the very first one, Mike Hays had the first few I didn't have, These are wonderful, Charlie Lester, Tom ,Alex Taber, Richard Klein, and many others did these I contributed to them too, Everyone LOOK at them, They are beautiful, but more than that They are FULL of great information, Provided by people who REALLY knew vacuums, Tom, Charlie, Alex, Me,Mike Hays, Mike Rogers, Billy Lippman, Roger Proehl, Chuck Chatam, Don Emmitt,Ron Faskowitz, John Lucia , Stan Kann and many others, The knowledge was inexhaustible, We really had a great time then,, we didn't stay in expensive hotels or have lavish banquets but it was not about fluff and show,,I wouldn't trade those years and friendships I made then for ANYTHING>

 

[dysonman1]

At the Convention in May

Hans,
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you and I got all our copies of the old newsletters together at the next Vacuum Collectors Convention in May? You know it's the third weekend. Here at the new Vacuum Cleaner Museum. We could let all the folks pick the ones they want to have reprinted, then go across the street to Staples and have them reprinted in glorious color.

All the information of many lifetimes is contained in those newsletters. I could probably fill another 10 copies with what I've learned since we published the final newsletter years ago. For example, I now have an ad for the very first Kirby-designed cleaner in 1910. Together with the actual model they were promoting then. And the instruction book.

I have three filing cabinets overflowing with literature, instruction books, ads, etc. That's how I cam across the old newsletters from the old club and thought "People need to be able to have these in their collection". And now they can. I'm happy to share with almost anyone. You know me.

Do you remember the most infamous of all old VCCC newsletters? I sure do. Charlie Watrous was President then. The front cover had a 1957 photo from a Compact (with flat lid - C4) ad, showing a woman holding the cleaner by the handle with one finger, and her daughter holding the hose to her cheek. Charlie put thought bubbles above the mother and daughter. What he said in those thought bubbles was Priceless.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Hey Tom and Hans...

I have nearly all those newsletters as well and I ditto your thoughts about the contents and authors. Charles Lester and Richard Klein had a wonderful creative knack with putting those issues together---something I did not possess but did the best I could at the time, later with help of Louis R.

Yes, the infamous Compact issue! You would have thought I put a naked picture of someone's mother on the cover by the way some reacted. Glad people had a sense of humor and caught the double entendre. Not!

Some of the same people that went nuts at the time have posted on this site since then with some vulgar innuendo. I find the hypocrisy fascinating if not amusing since the newsletter went only to members and this site goes to the world.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane and for posting when you will be hosting a convention in Missouri. The issues I am missing I would like copied for the wonderful information and splendid photos/ads.

 

[dysonman1]

Well Charlie:

The Convention is open to anyone and it's FREE. Won't it be fun? Two former Presidents of the VCCC together with our friends. Good times!!!

Remember, always welcome your Air-Way man. Let him come IN. He brings BIG news with him.

The Convention next year is at the New Vacuum Museum in Rolla, Missouri in May 14, 15, and 16, 2020.

It's cool in the Missouri Ozarks that time of year, we have tons of room for everyone to enjoy the over 500 classic Vintage Vacuums. This is the year we go over the literature, newsletters, paper work, instruction books, etc. For people who have wanted an instruction manual they've never been able to find, I probably have it. And Staples (or Wal-Mark) is within one minute walking distance from the New Museum. They both have full color copiers.

If I can get Hans to come to the Convention then too, he wants to let go of all his Hoovers (and other uprights). He's giving me some very vintage and rare Hoover demonstration "meters" (like the Kirby demo meter). Can't wait. We'll all be up all night laughing, talking, and playing with vintage 'sweepers'. Good Times, just like we used to have.

On Saturday of the Convention, as usual, we have a pot luck dinner. Jody will bring fresh shrimp from New Orleans as well as a ton of seafood. Hans will do the casseroles, Roberts will be bringing veggies. Donnie will have the BBQ grill going outside. I'll do the baking for the deserts. Like having a huge dinner party that all your friends help with. We do it every year.

 

[air-waycharlie]

We might even get, "Our Lady Of The Vacuums", there: Miss Tania Voigt. I know she wants to visit. We talked last week and it was discussed.

I remember how much fun we had when Todd and I visited there and then later with Tania and Duane. I bet Duane like to visit as well. I went home with some prized possessions! Hello "Bugeye Kenmore".

Many of us have not been to a convention in over 5 years so this would be a great reunion with some of the folks. After I see you in October I will be able to relay info to those that would be interested. (And maybe pick up a vacuum or two while there!)

 

[rivstg1]

It's begging to

'Sound like a plan" !!! I'm getting interested in making a trip there!