Antiques
Of A
Mechanical Nature
 
Larry and Carole Meeker
Purveyors of American Patented & Mechanical Antiques

           

     www.patented-antiques.com
    
            LCM@patented-antiques.com


          
530-620-7019 phone

 

 

Antique Pump Vacuums &

Other Cleaning Aids

 An incredible array of pump style vacuums were introduced and marketed to the American consumer before the use of electricity became widespread.  Most of these vacuums were foolish ideas, and many are found in pretty good condition because the wife saw through the scam after hubby brought it home for the anniversary gift, birthday, or other special occasion all happy with himself, and she went back to her broom and dustpan to get the job done. 

It was not until the use of electricity became widespread that they stopped making these for the gullible public.  Produce and consume was the idea even back then. 

An interesting note is how many of these you can find of the exact same design with different names or logos on them.  Each manufacturer when on the brink of Bankruptcy must have sold out to the next wide eyed entrepreneur with more money and energy  than brains, and production resumed with a new name but same idea.  They make for a great display or accent piece, and are generally conversation stoppers as people look them over in wonderment. 

 

The Success Pump Vacuum   The Success came in several versions over the years, and the red ones are the earliest and hardest to find.  The bellows are OK but look fragile.  I do not think this unusual vacuum would stand up to daily use.  Think of the coordination and skill it would take to operate it.   Crazy 

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ML-pv-1    

Very Good .... $175.00

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The Victor Pump Vacuum   This early pump  vacuum is in great condition and has about the best color I have seen on one of these in a long time. Thisvacuum is one of the examples of one that you see in different colors and with different names.  A good one.        Click for Pic    

ML-pv-2    

Very Good .... $125.00

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Two Pump Vacuums  The vacuum on the left operated a bit differently from the norm.  While pushing it along to grabed the handle and pumped the entire bellow up and down while navigating it along.  It must have been a popular idea as you can find this one pretty often, and with different names, but not in this condition.  ML-pv-4

On the right is the Home Vac.  It has a new and different idea where you used both hands to help get the suction going while getting a workout at the same time.  ML-pv-5

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ML-pv-5    

Very Good .... $95.00 / Choice

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The Doty Vacuum  This vacuum or carpet sweeper actually had a hope of working as it was the mere act of pushing it along that activated the bellows.  I would bet it did not work very well though, and am sure it did not have a Hepa filter to change.

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ML-pv-3    

Very Good .... $95.00

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4 Different Rug / Pillow Beaters  Every house had at least one.  These came in many different forms and shapes.  Some are quite rare, others are very common.  They were used at the end of the season to beat  the dirt out of the carpets that had been tracked in during the winter that the vacuums above did not manage to pick up.

ML-RB-4    

Very Good .... $45.00 / Choice  

Bottom one is SOLD!

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Rug / Pillow Beater  Here is another like the one above that sold.  It is known as Backstock.  

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ML-RB-4A    

Very Good .... $45.00  

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Primitive & Early Feather Duster   There is plenty of  life left here.  It is a large model at about 20" long, and there is still writing that can be seen on the leather wrap. 

 

ML-DUST-1    

Very Good .... $35.00

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Minute Mop   NOS.  No need to go to the Home show and buy one of those Chinese things that do not work.  Buy American!!     Click for Pic      Click for Pic

 

LM-MOP-1    

Very Good .... $35.00

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Patented Water Powered Scrub Brush   Just think how many of these there would have been if they had late night infomercials back in the 1920's and all of America could have seen the wonderful results this would have provided the consumer.  Distribution was probably limited locally unless it made it into Sears or MW catalogs    Click for Pic      Click for Pic

LM-MOP-2    

Very Good .... $35.00

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Carpet Stretcher / Tacker  The story with these is that back in the good old days people pulled their carpets in the summer and then with the coming of late fall and the cold laid them back down for insulation and warmth and they had to be reattached.  EVERY YEAR! 

They make for a great collectible and there are a number of different designs available. A constant supply can be found at sales and show for collectors, and there are some great designs out there. 

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ML-CS-1    

Very Good .... $35.00

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We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category. 

If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.

 

 

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