I realize we all have differing opinions, I have to say I was a bit shocked when I realized people were actually collecting post 1970 machines, I admit I have a very few machines newer than that, but not many, when i see Eureka Bravos and Hoover Elites ,I think of stuff I saw new in the 80s and 90s, and personally wouldnt give a second look, but then I got to thinking, hell, i was born in 1965, that is darn near ancient to some of the guys on here..LOL, so what I consider a used vacuum, they might see as really old! opinions guys..Oh yeah, as to what I consider vintage, I would say pre 1965.
What do YOU consider Vintage..
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Hans!!!!!
We were BOTH born in the 1960s. I hate to tell you, but, we'd be lucky to be called "vintage". Some people think we went to school with Jesus!!
We were BOTH born in the 1960s. I hate to tell you, but, we'd be lucky to be called "vintage". Some people think we went to school with Jesus!!
To me, "vintage" covers from the beginning of vacuum cleaner history up to machines I remember from my "middle childhood" up into the mid 1960s. (My 13th birthday, when I became a teenager, was in 1969.)
That's really kind of an arbitrary measurement in terms of dates, but to me a vintage machine would have to be one that carries nostalgic resonances from my younger years.
That's really the key for me, really. A lot of wonderful, beautiful, excellently made vacuum cleaners were made after that and, indeed, some are still being made today. But if I don't remember them from childhood, they just don't have that special, almost magical attraction for me.
That's really kind of an arbitrary measurement in terms of dates, but to me a vintage machine would have to be one that carries nostalgic resonances from my younger years.
That's really the key for me, really. A lot of wonderful, beautiful, excellently made vacuum cleaners were made after that and, indeed, some are still being made today. But if I don't remember them from childhood, they just don't have that special, almost magical attraction for me.
collector2
Well-known member
LOL I am almost the same "Vintage" as you Hans (1967). To me vintage encompasses machines from the 40's to the 80. Before that is definitely in the antique range. After that the styling seemed to go down hill (with a few exceptions) and everything looked pretty much the same.
Doug
Doug
kirbykid
New member
I think of vintage being anything older that 15 years. And anything older than 100 is antique.
kirbyvertibles
Well-known member
I was born in 85, now I have to admit I have a hard time with anything from the 80's as vintage even though it is. To me things from late 70's and older catch my eye for the vintage factor. As for the vintage of the 80's and early 90's they catch my eye for the nostalgic of my childhood. I guess i'm not ready for things of my childhood to be "vintage".. OMG do you realize the Kirby Gen 3 is now vintage!!! Holy cow
When John Lucia and I first met in 1991, we joked about how the day would come when collectors would consider Eureka Bravos and Hoover Concepts to be vintage machines ... and here we are.
beko1987
Well-known member
I'm 25
And consider anything from mid 90's to about early 1980 to be 'old', and anything after that to be 'vintage'
It always makes me think when posting Turbopower threads in the vintage forum that these machines are over 20 years old, I remember when they were being sold!
I've often thought about when I'm 50 and finding 'vintage' purepowers, globes and whatever else is considered old, and that my turbopower collection will be knocking on 40-50 years old
I've noticed the change on these forums too, more stuff that I remember seeing new are coming over to the vintage forum due to the 20 years old rule, and modern plastivacs are more previlant in the contemporary forum.
I'm hoping to win a DC01 for a little project, I imagine I would kick up a storm if I posted it in Vintage, even though it may be allowed via the rules.
Change is upon us!
And consider anything from mid 90's to about early 1980 to be 'old', and anything after that to be 'vintage'
It always makes me think when posting Turbopower threads in the vintage forum that these machines are over 20 years old, I remember when they were being sold!
I've often thought about when I'm 50 and finding 'vintage' purepowers, globes and whatever else is considered old, and that my turbopower collection will be knocking on 40-50 years old
I've noticed the change on these forums too, more stuff that I remember seeing new are coming over to the vintage forum due to the 20 years old rule, and modern plastivacs are more previlant in the contemporary forum.
I'm hoping to win a DC01 for a little project, I imagine I would kick up a storm if I posted it in Vintage, even though it may be allowed via the rules.
Change is upon us!
ncovert
Well-known member
To me...
...anything older than 20 years is vintage, and anything over 50 years is antique.
...anything older than 20 years is vintage, and anything over 50 years is antique.
I guess I am an antique LOL
Gary
Gary
caligula
Well-known member
The definition of an antique.
According to Webster's dictionary, an Antique is. "A relic, or object of ancient times, or earlier period than the present." (Also) "A work of art, piece of furniture, or decrative object made at a much earlier period." And finally. "100 years or older."
As for Vintage, everything I found had to do with wine, the only other note was. "A date when something was produced or existed."
I see any non electric's as a true antique, an Electrolux model V (1924) as vintage. Personally, I don't consider anything made after 1970 vintage, that's a collectable. The vacuum cleaners I grew up with were all from the 1920's to late 50's. But as I said, that's just my take on things, just because a Kirby Omega is not an antique, or even vintage, doesn't mean it's not old, and that alone makes it priceless.
At the first meeting of the V.C.C.C. in May of 1985, John Lucia, Mike Pupek, and several others, myself included set the standard. As I recall, the cut-off was 1960. We also set catagories. New, like new, new in the box, and so on. The exact wording I don't recall. (Please refresh my memory Mr. Lucia) fact is everything had a time frame. That was almost 30 years ago, and that list is hoplessly outdated.
They say, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' they also say 'one mans trash is anothers treasure!' Here at Vacuumland, both statements are true.
Alex Taber.
According to Webster's dictionary, an Antique is. "A relic, or object of ancient times, or earlier period than the present." (Also) "A work of art, piece of furniture, or decrative object made at a much earlier period." And finally. "100 years or older."
As for Vintage, everything I found had to do with wine, the only other note was. "A date when something was produced or existed."
I see any non electric's as a true antique, an Electrolux model V (1924) as vintage. Personally, I don't consider anything made after 1970 vintage, that's a collectable. The vacuum cleaners I grew up with were all from the 1920's to late 50's. But as I said, that's just my take on things, just because a Kirby Omega is not an antique, or even vintage, doesn't mean it's not old, and that alone makes it priceless.
At the first meeting of the V.C.C.C. in May of 1985, John Lucia, Mike Pupek, and several others, myself included set the standard. As I recall, the cut-off was 1960. We also set catagories. New, like new, new in the box, and so on. The exact wording I don't recall. (Please refresh my memory Mr. Lucia) fact is everything had a time frame. That was almost 30 years ago, and that list is hoplessly outdated.
They say, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' they also say 'one mans trash is anothers treasure!' Here at Vacuumland, both statements are true.
Alex Taber.
beko1987
Well-known member
Maybe we should re-look at the rules then as to what the forum considers vintage and contemporary? I agree with you, 20 year old machines nowadays are not vintage, that's what, 1994? I don't consider Turbopower 2's old or vintage!
caligula
Well-known member
In the old days, it was 'one size fit's all.'
When John Lucia, and the rest of us began getting the club going, it was mostly trial and error. Establishing rules, and guidelines was not an issue, providing a sounding board was our only desire.
Back then, there were companies by the dozen who made vacuum cleaners, and the common names of today, didn't exist. Hoover, Eureka, General Electric, Regina, Shetland/Lewyt, and others were everywhere. Department stores, K-Mart, and thousands of fly by night vacuum cleaner shops blanketed the country. In addition to these, were the rather high end machines. Air-Way, Compact, Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kirby, Royal and a few others that were sold on an in-home demo basis.
All of us had one goal, to learn as much as we could about these brands. We shared stories of each others interests, swapped instruction books, (and in some cases actual vacuum cleaners) and phone calls by the score. Please remenber that this was long before internet, cell phone, and E-bay. Each of us liked what was in grandma's closet, and had to have it. And what's most important, aside from Hoover, who accepted us, Electrolux, Kirby and so on were interested in sales. They couldn't care less about their history, that didn't make money!
Then in 1985, we held our first meeting (not convention) there were 5 of us there to set the rules. Again the classic brands like Hoover, Eureka, Electrolux and so on were the issue. Nice as a 1205 was, it didn't fit in the mix. Too new!
Cut to 2013, there's the V.C.C.C., Vacuumland, and The Vacuum cleaner assoc., (am I missing anybody?) Knowledge is everywhere, we have the forum, and place to buy, trade sell or swap. In the old days the only way to show what you had was the Neswletter, and it came out every two months, until John Lucia and I got tired doing it alone, and cut back to a quarterly. Trust me, that was a backbreaking job. Today, it's all a mouse click away.
Antique, vintage, collectable is not important! what it has to be, or should be, is what's important it to you. So what differance does it make if it's a Hoover model O, or a Romba?
Alex Taber.
When John Lucia, and the rest of us began getting the club going, it was mostly trial and error. Establishing rules, and guidelines was not an issue, providing a sounding board was our only desire.
Back then, there were companies by the dozen who made vacuum cleaners, and the common names of today, didn't exist. Hoover, Eureka, General Electric, Regina, Shetland/Lewyt, and others were everywhere. Department stores, K-Mart, and thousands of fly by night vacuum cleaner shops blanketed the country. In addition to these, were the rather high end machines. Air-Way, Compact, Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kirby, Royal and a few others that were sold on an in-home demo basis.
All of us had one goal, to learn as much as we could about these brands. We shared stories of each others interests, swapped instruction books, (and in some cases actual vacuum cleaners) and phone calls by the score. Please remenber that this was long before internet, cell phone, and E-bay. Each of us liked what was in grandma's closet, and had to have it. And what's most important, aside from Hoover, who accepted us, Electrolux, Kirby and so on were interested in sales. They couldn't care less about their history, that didn't make money!
Then in 1985, we held our first meeting (not convention) there were 5 of us there to set the rules. Again the classic brands like Hoover, Eureka, Electrolux and so on were the issue. Nice as a 1205 was, it didn't fit in the mix. Too new!
Cut to 2013, there's the V.C.C.C., Vacuumland, and The Vacuum cleaner assoc., (am I missing anybody?) Knowledge is everywhere, we have the forum, and place to buy, trade sell or swap. In the old days the only way to show what you had was the Neswletter, and it came out every two months, until John Lucia and I got tired doing it alone, and cut back to a quarterly. Trust me, that was a backbreaking job. Today, it's all a mouse click away.
Antique, vintage, collectable is not important! what it has to be, or should be, is what's important it to you. So what differance does it make if it's a Hoover model O, or a Romba?
Alex Taber.
rootcyclone
Well-known member
Vintage - In my view anything that is over 20-25 years old and not up to date standards.
Such as:
-Hoover Junior
-Hoover Senior
-Hoover Dustette
-Very First Dyson DC01s
-Hoover Constellation
-1981 Numatic Henry
The list goes on, but those are a few examples.
-
Such as:
-Hoover Junior
-Hoover Senior
-Hoover Dustette
-Very First Dyson DC01s
-Hoover Constellation
-1981 Numatic Henry
The list goes on, but those are a few examples.
-
dysonman1
Well-known member
I was born in 1962. Vintage vacuums, to me, are all electric cleaners made up to 1962. Once I started noticing vacuums (about 1966 or so), in stores, ads, and in people's homes, those were "new" vacuums to me then. Today, I still look at a Super J and consider it 'contemporary'.
dysonman1
Well-known member
@Hans
Remember the first Convention when we all met (you drove a vintage car)? We all laughed and joked that when the day came that people would be collecting Hoover Elites (which we considered cheap junk in 1994), someone should shoot us because the world was surely going to come to an end. And now, today, people are actually collecting vacuums we threw in the dumpsters. I guess that's the trouble with 'getting old'. Stan Kann wouldn't even dream of using a vacuum made after World War II - as he thought anything made after the war was 'cheap junk'.
Remember the first Convention when we all met (you drove a vintage car)? We all laughed and joked that when the day came that people would be collecting Hoover Elites (which we considered cheap junk in 1994), someone should shoot us because the world was surely going to come to an end. And now, today, people are actually collecting vacuums we threw in the dumpsters. I guess that's the trouble with 'getting old'. Stan Kann wouldn't even dream of using a vacuum made after World War II - as he thought anything made after the war was 'cheap junk'.
Vintage.
Well, being an 88 model, I guess I would be "vintage" by some standards!
My definition of vintage runs up to 1999, as that is when I first noticed vac build quality going downhill quickly. Sadly, one of the new plasti-vacs is the daily driver until I can convince the housemates of quality of the 54 LX.
My cut-off date for antique would be 1942.
-Larry
Well, being an 88 model, I guess I would be "vintage" by some standards!
My definition of vintage runs up to 1999, as that is when I first noticed vac build quality going downhill quickly. Sadly, one of the new plasti-vacs is the daily driver until I can convince the housemates of quality of the 54 LX.My cut-off date for antique would be 1942.
-Larry
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Tom. Great list.
Contemporary, I like that!
Basically I agree with Stan Kann, with a few exceptions. I'd say the Electrolux LX as my personal cut off on post W.W.11. Let me add, that this does not include the LXI, once they changed the yellow/red nameplate and added hammertone blue, it looses some of it's luster.
For me, it's what I find visually interesting that goes into the collection. Also, a lot of it goes back to early childhood. I asocciate vacuum cleaners with the people who had them, for example the lady with the LX. If she'd had an upright Air-way, then I'd have gotten hooked on that.
You and John Lucia know better than anybody, my love of research, however, as a man who runs a museum, you have more knowledge than I do. Doors are open to you that were not for me. Electrolux wouldn't talk to me, and in the one letter I got from Charles Mc'Kee, stating that I knew more about Electrolux than he did, but he also made it clear, he had no interest in history.
I see a vacuum cleaner as art. The design, and so on is a huge factor. We all know that the non-electric's didn't work, and cost a mint, but boy did they look great!
Alex Taber.
Contemporary, I like that!
Basically I agree with Stan Kann, with a few exceptions. I'd say the Electrolux LX as my personal cut off on post W.W.11. Let me add, that this does not include the LXI, once they changed the yellow/red nameplate and added hammertone blue, it looses some of it's luster.
For me, it's what I find visually interesting that goes into the collection. Also, a lot of it goes back to early childhood. I asocciate vacuum cleaners with the people who had them, for example the lady with the LX. If she'd had an upright Air-way, then I'd have gotten hooked on that.
You and John Lucia know better than anybody, my love of research, however, as a man who runs a museum, you have more knowledge than I do. Doors are open to you that were not for me. Electrolux wouldn't talk to me, and in the one letter I got from Charles Mc'Kee, stating that I knew more about Electrolux than he did, but he also made it clear, he had no interest in history.
I see a vacuum cleaner as art. The design, and so on is a huge factor. We all know that the non-electric's didn't work, and cost a mint, but boy did they look great!
Alex Taber.
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