Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

I was seaching on Ebay and found this vacuum. I thought I would bring it to some collectors attention on this forum.  It is not my auction, but enjoy going to Ebay to look at the older vacuums. I never saw this kind of cleaner before, I know Sunbeam had similar shape but never knew Hamilton Beach also made vacuums.

Hi George,

Thanks.  I've already seen it and it appears to be in nice shape.  I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of a frenzy doesn't develop during the last few minutes of bidding that will up the final price to around $300.  This is always amusing to me.  This cleaner like many other doozies from the past probably cost a whopping $69.95 brand new.  There was another one, not in as nice shape, up for auction a few weeks ago.  Hamilton Beach also made a square-shaped swivel-top canister at the time that was the company's deluxe machine.  They also made upright vacuums for many years and may have had a contemporary but generic in style upright in the line with these two canisters.

Hamitlon Beach's Hatbox was not new or unusual in the sense that Sunbeam had already been using the round, low to the ground design for its canisters for a good while.  Sunbeam's deluxe model had large wheels with vinyl "tires", a better handle grip and  two switiches.  There was a step-on switch on top of the cleaner and a red button underneath for turning the machine on while stood on end for stair cleaning.

A manufacturer of many types of small appliances, Hamilton Beach was better known for an electric stand mixer that provided competition for the Sunbeam Mixmaster.  Many household appliance makers had vacuums in their lines but of those -- speaking only of non-vacuum specialists -- its my opinion that General Electric, Sunbeam, Kenmore/Whirlpool and Westinghouse had more of a leading edge when it came to vacuums.  Hamilton Beach vacuums to my recall were not overly popular during the latter 1950s and '60s.

Venson

Hello George, Venson:

Thanks for the information and listing.  Probably right on the new price: $69.95.  These straight suction canisters were the rage in the late 50's from several appliance makers.  Westinghouse had similar canns also in the same price range. 

Of note is that the heavy well constructed built to last vacuums of yesteryear [up to and including the mid 50's] was giving way to a lighter more fragile construction [but still metal].  Too bad about the hose, but kudos to the seller for disclosing. 

All in all, a nice and rare find. 

Carmine D.

George wrote:
George, please!  I was going to post some HB info, but decided to do some checking. 

Mike W.
Moderator

Don't quite get your response. My name on Ebay is : Curalt-and found out about the HB cleaner from someone on Discuss O Mat-assoiciated with Welcome to Vacuum Land while searching for older vacuums to look at.

George... I also check in at the other forums (none of them are active enough for me to just use one)...  this forum seems to be geared more toward big box brands and Dyson (hating or loving).... not so much collecing/collectors.  At least that's what I can gather for the conversations I've seen.

Vacuumfreeeke wrote:

Hi VF,

Though this forum is mainly focused on information, news, and advice regarding vacuums currently in manufacture, I don't think we can be of half as much use or help unless we can also convey what we collectively know of the past.  There is less to wonder at when contemplating what could be when we know of that which has already been.

Best,

Venson

This forum is mainly about vacuum cleaners, and the like, of the present.  Occasionally, there will be discussion of past.   What this forum is not about is just vacuum cleaners of the past.  There are other forums for that.  I recall a Yahoo group about classic vacuum cleaners.  They even had a remark, on their front page,  that said something to the fact that "if you want to talk about new vacuums, visit Whats the Best-Vacuum.com." 

I recall a former member of the forum who wanted to talk about old vacuum cleaners.  He could not talk about a new vacuum cleaner w/ knowledge.  I told him, as I will say again, it is important to know where vacuums have come from.  It helps us find out how we can improve the vacuum cleaners of the present and future.  We do not need to stay in the past.  We do not need to dwell on the vacuum cleaners of the past.  That is the hobby of the vacuum enthusiasts.  Longtime members know that I use alot of info, from the past, when discussing a present vacuum cleaner.  That is one part of being a good salesman.  Bring knowledge.   I must know what I am talking about.

My comment to "George" has to do w/the comments he made.  From what I gathered, he is selling the HB "hatbox" cleaner. 

George, I looked at the screenname you gave us and it looks like you are more into beauty products than vacuum collecting.  Vacuum enthusiasts like Venson and Vacuumfreak already view/use ebay, as Venson already stated in his above post.

Mike W.
Moderator

George wrote:

George says it's not his auction.  Mike says it is!  Is this an impasse and/or issue here?  Or just mentioned for talking purposes?

Carmine D.

Carmine;

Just leave it alone.  It is just an observation.

Too late to leave it alone, Mike.  You shed some light here and revealed an observation that I didn't realize/know.  Now, I want to look at it and talk about it.  

Specifically, please answer this question: Is it against the rules of protocol of this site to post about ebay listings here?  If the poster owns the auction?  If the poster does not? 

Carmine D.