Vintage plunger type vacuum

[joebwan]

<p style="text-align: left;">I am curious if any of you collectors are interested in a vintage plunger action non-electric upright. It is old, and in very good condition. I acquired it at an estate auction as part of a lot, and it is not really something in my area of interest.

The writing on the unit says:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Success </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hand Vacuum Cleaner </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hutchison MFG CO </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wilkinsburg PA </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">

Thanks!
Joe</p>[this post was last edited: 4/18/2013-09:25]

 

[caligula]

Hi Joe.

What is the name of the pumper? I have several and might be interested. There were dozens of these, the Duplexo, Grand, Lawton, Reeves and many others. Even Royal started out as one of these. And don't be fooled if you see the date December 26, 1911 on it. These non electric pumpers were part of the 'Kenny act' kind of like the U.L. sticker on the electrics. The first non electric was the Whirlwind which appeared in 1869, by 1900 they were everywhere, though few really worked. Once I know what brand you are talking about the more I can share on the history. But yes, I'm interested. However, it's worth noting that these do not bring in a sizeble price, so be forewarned. These machines are great in a display, but not good for cleaning anything, and the rarely were.

Alex Taber.

 

[s31463221]

Alex

Maybe you can tell me about my old hand pump vacuum I have as well. I've posted it on eBay several times and it really hasn't generated too much interest, so I've been thinking about pulling it and restoring it before I give it another go. Anyway, since I don't want to hijack this thread, if you don't care, I will email you a photo of it, but it's an old Jaeger Brothers hand pump vacuum. Talk to you soon.

Steve

 

[joebwan]

Thanks for your reply Alex, please check out the post, I have updated with the name, and a picture. Google seems to think its 1910 vintage?

Anyway, not trying to make a killing here, might be fun to know a little about it, and to see it go to a home where it would be appreciated.

Offers???

 

[caligula]

Hi Joe.

The Success is a bellows type upright pumper. John Hutchison designed several non electric pumpers, and the time frame is between 1900 - 1910. In this case the leather bag which I assume has bellows inside is moved up and down to create suction. I'll say this, there was never very good suction from these machines, but they got the ball rolling.

As I've said, a week today I go to Chesterton, Indiana to get my paperwork out of storage. I have patent information, history on several non electric vacuum cleaners, and all of this will be shared. So give me a week to get about six boxes of records. Pictured below are the ads and pictures that are packed away. Each of these will be scanned and shared.

Alex Taber.

 

[joebwan]

Hello Alex

Pretty nifty looking collection there! I like Kirby's too, I have an Omega I'm fixing up right now. Wish I could have grabbed the heritage mom had while we were young, sis sold it for a song at a yard sale...oh well, lots more out there...

Anyway, thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing what you come up with

Sincerely,
Joe

 

[caligula]

Thank you Joe.

As I've said countless times, I'm the man who started the ball rolling on what would become the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club when I went to the Hoover Historical Center in 1980. The result was to meet John Lucia in 1982, and together we formed the club. Our first newsletter came off the presses on January 2, 1983. On the weekend of May 5th 1985 we held our first meeting. There were 5 members plus John and I, with my mom serving as club secretary. A few months later I bought a house in Naperville, Illinois and started the club museum. The pictures above are of the expanded museum.

While I'm not involved with the working of the V.C.C.C. any longer, once a historian, always a historian. When John and I formed the club I had 30 years of vacuum cleaner knowledge under my belt. It all began with yesterday's vacuum of the day, the Electrolux Model LX. I was only 2 years old when I was bitten with the vacuum cleaner bug. The club was a way to share the history in my head, and I'm still doing that here in Vacuumland. For the past 7 years my paperwork, and machines have been in storage, soon they will be here with me. As for my non electric's they are in my mom's home, and will stay there a little longer. My pride and Joy is the Whirlwind.

In case you haven't read my other posts about it, this is the oldest known vacuum cleaner, it was patented on June 8, 1869 in Chicago, the inventor was Ives W. Mc'Gaffy. But more on that later.

Alex Taber.

 

[MAKER]

Pump Vacuum

I was cleaning out my parents place and came across this. It made by the American Vacuum Cleaner Company of Bloomington Illinois. I really don't have the room for it. Can someone give me an idea of what I should ask for it? Thanks in advance for your help.