Guide to Antique and Vintage Fasteners

Curtis A. Scaglione’s
Guide to
Antique and Vintage
FASTENERS
2012
© Copyright 2012 Curtis A. Scaglione all rights are reserved. The photographs and text are the property of the
writer and cannot be used without written approval.
Preface
When I started collecting staplers, I quickly discovered several facts. There
was no written history available. There were only a few collectors known.
Collecting staplers wasn’t considered a hobby and what information that was
available was inaccurate. There were in fact, other machines that were used to
fasten papers or documents together. These machines were fasteners and not
staplers. At times it was difficult to stay within the boundary of desk top
stapler.
It was easier to collect fasteners as a whole. Desk top staplers are the most
common of fasteners and the desk top fasteners are less common. But, I was
also intrigued by hand held staplers and fasteners. What is the difference, you
ask? A hand held fastener uses no staples to fasten documents where the hand
held stapler does. Both machines are held in the hand while in operation.
It was quickly obvious that to really know the history, it would take years of
research to uncover the history of the stapler. Who designed the different
staplers, who owned the companies, who sold the staplers and who made
them. Nearly every photograph that depicted the people and the places
staplers were made, which number in the hundreds, were saved. The
questions were pursued until an answer was found or until it was determined
that, for now, an answer was not available.
Of the few stapler companies still around, only Swingline responded to my
request. As it turned out, they did have a one page history of the stapler. Their
simple act of kindness was greatly responsible for the foundation of the
history that I have built over the last 15 years. Many other companies refused
to respond. It was my own conclusion that they never maintained their own
history because it was not a priority.
I discovered this when I wrote to the President of one of the large companies
as I was attempting to date a very early example they had produced. Even
after providing a copy of the patent and a photograph of the machine. He
could not find any reference to this machine. He referred the matter to a
senior employee that had no knowledge of the machine. The point to this is
simple. BOSTITCH invented what is probably the first electric stapler and they
have no history of it. Something like that is a selling point and good for
advertisement. The year was 1937. A patent had been approved and
manufacturing has begun. The only reference to electric staplers can be found
on line is that, “ they began to be produced in the mid 1950’s.”
Overall, my collection numbers in the hundreds. I often find another example
that I will need to add before my collection is complete. Truth be known, I will
never complete my collection.
Collecting is but a small part of the hobby. Research has its own reward.
Discovering one fact that leads to another and another and those facts need to
be researched.
In the mid 1990’s the only way to obtain a copy of a patent was to go to the
patent office. It wasn’t for a few more years that patents were made available
from the patent office on line. It only took a short time to obtain the necessary
programs to gain access to their vast files and more information became
available.
Over the past 15 years I have operated two web sites, The Stapler Exchange
and Mystaplers.com. My newsletter “ADHERE THIS” was also instrumental in
getting the word out and then came the responses. Collectors, the curious and
family members of those responsible for the staplers started to come in.
Curtis A. Scaglione
Content
Chapter 1
Staplers Index
Chapter 2
Krimp’It
Chapter 3
Electric Stapler
Chapter 4
Advertisement
Chapter 5
Patents
INDEX
MAKE
PAGE
ACCO
62
Ace
1
Acme
1, 40, 66, 67, 78, 79
Ajax
1
APSCO
1 , 71
Arrow
2, 64, 65, 67, 68
Automatic
2, 70
Bates
2, 41- 47, 66, 72, 73, 92
Bostitch
2, 48 – 52, 63, 64, 68, 69, 70, 72, 86
Bump
3, 68, 71, 84
Century
3, 68
Chadwick
3
Challenge
72
Champion
3
Clipless
4, 71
Cliplox
4
Compo
4, 71, 80
Crofoot
4, 72
Duofast
5 , 65
Eveready
5, 70, 71, 72, 80
Flash
5, 70
General
5
MAKE
PAGE
Greenfield
6
Hansen
6
Heller
6
Hercules
6
Heyl
83
Hotchkiss
7, 53 – 54, 63 , 65, 67, 81, 87, 88 , 89
Hutchison
7, 70, 73
Ideal
7
Irvin
7, 66, 73, 74, 78, 79, 80
Jahn
85
Keyes
8
Keystone
8
King
8
Krantz
8
Krimp’It
9, 15 – 38, 74, 76
Lightning
9, 74
Markwell
9, 55, 63, 64, 74, 76
McGill
9, 82
Mercury
10, 75
Monarch
10
Neva-Clog
10, 74, 76
No-Clip
10
Novelty
11, 76
Pinzit
11
MAKE
PAGE
Presto
11, 91
Remington
11
Security
12
Simplex
12
Staplex
12, 56 – 58, 76, 77
Star
12
Sun
13
Supreme
13
Swingline
13, 59 – 60, 64, 65, 75, 89
Tatum
13, 75, 76, 77
Vail
14
Victor
14
Welder
14
White
14
CHAPTER ONE
Stapler Index
Make: ACE
Make: AJAX
Model: Pilot
Model: None
Made By: Ace Fastener Corporation
Made By: Ajax Tool and Die Company
Chicago, Illinois
Racine, Wisconsin
Information: Patents date to 1936. Ace has
been and still produces an excellent product.
Information: Manufactured in your choice of
colors, red, blue, black or green.
Make: ACME
Make: APSCO
Model: Sure Shot
Model: Square Eyeleter & Paper Fastener
Made By: Acme Staple Company Ltd.
Made By: Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co.
Camden, New Jersey
Information: circa early 20th century
1
Chicago, Illinois
Information: This is a rare machine
Make: ARROW
Make: BATES
Model: Desk Top
Model: Model A
Made By: Arrow Fastener Company
Made By: Bates
Brooklyn, New York
Information: This is the Commander, a favorite
among collectors.
Make: AUTOMATIC
Model: Staple Gun
Made By: Automatic Stapler Company
Information: Evanston, Illinois
Information: Models B, and C are common.
This Model A is a little harder to find. D is very
hard
Make: BOSTITCH
Model: AO
Made By: Boston Wire Stitcher Company
East Greenwich, RI
Information: Introduced in 1914
2
Make: BUMP
Make: CHADWICK
Model: Desk Top
Model: Desk Model
Made By: Bump Paper Fastener Company
Made By: Chadwick - Miller
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Information: Made in Japan
Information: Circa 1920
Make: CHAMPION
Make: CENTURY
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Century Machine Co. NY
Information: Invent. Uncommon, circa 1897
3
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Unknown
Information: circa 1940
Make: CLIPLESS
Make: COMPO
Model: Desk Top
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Clipless Paper Fastener Machine Co.
Made By: Compo Corporation & Sales Co.
Newton, Iowa
Westport, Connecticut
Information: circa 1920
Information: Circa 1920
Make: CLIPLOX
Make: CROFOOT
Model: Hand held fastener
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co.
Made By: J. B. Crofoot Company
Information: Invented by Max Gessler 1909
Chicago, Illinois
Information: Circa 1917
4
Make: DUO FAST
Make: FLASH
Model: Trigger Action Stapler
Model: Desk Model
Made By: Fastener Corporation
Made By: American Die and Tool Corp.
Chicago,Il
Information: Invent. Edward Krantz 1939
Information: Invent. C.I. Tager and Hans C.
Stockel
Make: EVEREADY
Model: D
Made By: Everready MFG. CO.
Information: Excellent displace piece
5
Make: GENERAL
Model: Desk Model
Made By: The General Stapling Machine Co.
Information: Only seen once
Make: GREENFIELD
Make: HELLER
Model: Desk Model
Model: 2-S
Made By: Greenfield MFG. Co.
Made By: The Heller Company
New York, NY
Information: The Heller Company only
produced a few staplers, the rest were
purchased from existing companies, like
Hotchkiss and Wilson – Jones.
Information: Invent. Edwin T, Greenfield
Make: HANSEN
Model: Desk Model
Made By: A.L. Hansen MFG. Co. Chicago
Information: Invent. E. Krantz
Make: HERCULES
Model: Desk Model
Made By: The American Die And Tool Corp.
Chicago, Il
Information: Hans C. Stockel
6
Make: HOTCHKISS
Make: IDEAL
Model: 1
Model: Tacker
Made By: E.H. Hotchkiss Sales Co.
Made By: The Consolidated Staple Co. NY
Norwalk, Conn
Information: Indicated Pat. Pend.
Information: Circa 1901
Make: HUTCHISON
Make: IRVIN
Model: Spool-O-Wire
Model: Desk Model
Made By: Automatic Sharpener Co.
Made By: Alex H. Irvin Co.
Chicago,, Il
Information: Circa: 1919
7
Curwensville, Penn
Information: Also known as the New Irvin
Make: KEYES
Make: KING
Model: Hand Held
Model: Heavy Duty
Made By:NY Carbon & Transfer Paper Co.
Made By: King Fastener Co. E. Greenwich, CO
Information: Circa 1896
Information: circa: 1940
Make: KEYSTONE
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Unknown
Information: Circa 1886
8
Make: KRANTZ
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Krantz MFG. Co.
Information: circa: 1933
Make: KRIMP’IT
Make: MARKWELL
Model: Model 1
Model: S-O Bro / Staple Mate
Made By: Krimp’It Fastener Co.
Made By:Markwell
Information: Only two models ever made.
Information: An uncommon model
These fasteners are difficult to find.
Make: LIGHTNING
Model: 10 Tacker
Made By: Unknown
Information:
9
Make: MCGILL
Model: Single Stroke Staple Press
Made By: George W. McGill
Information: Circa 1879
Make: MERCURY
Make: NEVA-CLOG
Model: Jr.
Model: Stapling Pliers
Made By: Consolidated Wire Products Co.
Made By: Neva-Clog Products, Inc.
New York, NY
Bridgeport, Conn
Information: Circa: 1955
Information: Circa: 1936
Make: MONARCH
Make: NO-CLIP
Model: Desk Top
Model: Hand Held
Made By: believed to be early Hercules
Made By: Stamping and Tool Co. La Crosse, WI.
Information: Circa: 1945
Information: Simular to other hand held
fasteners, this No-Clip Paper Fastener is
beautifully detailed.
10
Make: NOVELTY
Make: PRESTO
Model: Paper Fastener
Model: Delux Desk Model
Made By: P.N. MFG. Co.
Made By: Metal Specialties MFG. Co.
Information: Circa 1879
Melrose Park, IL
Information: Circa: 1946
Make: PINZIT
Make: REMINGTON
Model: Pin Fastener Machine
Model: Spool O Wire
Made By: The Pinzit Sales Corp.
Made By: Remington Typewriter Company
New York, NY
Information: Circa 1926
11
Information: Bought out Spool O Wire
Company
Make: SECURITY
Make: STAPLEX
Model: Hand held
Model: S-54
Made By: Consolidated Spec. Corp Mfrs.
Made By: The Staplex Company
Chicago, Il.
Brooklyn, NY
Information: Uncommon
Information: Circa early 1950’s
Make: SIMPLEX
Make: STAR
Model: Desk Top
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Worcester , Mass
Made By: E.H. Hotchkiss Sales Co.
Information: Patent Pending
Information: Hotchkiss maintained the Star
name from the 1896 purchase.
12
Make: SUN
Make: SWINGLINE
Model: Desk Top
Model: Babe
Made By: Sun Mfg. Co.
Made By: Parrot Speed / Speed / Swingline
Information: Invent. Lee Burridge
Information: First model for the now Swingline
Company
Make: SUPREME
Make: TATUM
Model: Executive
Model: Desk Top
Made By: Wilson Jones
Made By:H.C. Stockel
Information: A beautiful circa 1960’s example
Information: Circa 1937
13
Make: VAIL
Make: WELDER
Model: Desk Model
Model: Paper Fastener
Made By: Vail MFG. Co.
Made By: Paper Welder, Inc. Medina, NY
Information: bought out Hotchkiss Staple Co.
Information: Circa 1956
Make: VICTOR
Make: WHITE
Model: Desk Top
Model: Staple Inserter
Made By: E.W. Carpenter MFG Co.
Made By: Unknown
Bridgeport, Conn
Information: Invent: J.T. Kilbride 1937
14
Information: Circa : 1888
CHAPTER TWO
The Krimp’It
15
Krimp’It Paper Crimping Device
Research by
Curtis Scaglione
June 19, 2012
CHAPTER 1 - The Right People in the Right Place
CHAPTER 2 - The Right Place
CHAPTER 3 - Advertisements
CHAPTER 4 - Trademark and Patents
CHAPTER 5 - Photographs
© 2012 by Curtis Scaglione
All rights reserved. With the exception of the US Patent and Trade Mark information, which is
public record, No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written
permission of Curtis Scaglione.
16
Krimp’It Paper Crimping Device
1931 - 1934
Seiders-Mather Corporation
155 E Superior St.
Chicago, Illinois
Until recently, this crimper was unknown to me and probably unknown to many other
collectors as well. Upon acquiring my first Krimp’It, I discovered that it was manufactured under
the second of two patents. My only resource was the fastener itself. Any and all data was taken
from the fastener in hopes of discovering who was responsible. Unfortunately, only minimal
information was available, which caused some concern. The patent provided a few clues as to
the players involved with the machine by providing their names. Research was conducted on
each person. Overall, like any good investigation, one clue leads to another and another until
the story is told.
The name Seiders - Mather Corporation was engraved into the paper table. With that
information, I was able to start my search. It wasn’t long before patent information was
presented.
It was a surprise to find that not one but two patents were issued for this machine. As the
Krimp’It is unusual, I could only wonder if my example was produced with the second patent
because the company responsible decided the first patent did not meet up to standards. It was
likely that this was the only model produced.
I was completely surprised when I found the second example. This example required some
attention, but with time, it earned its place in the collection. This model was based on the first
patent. This was becoming an even bigger challenge because until a week ago, I never knew
the Krimp’It even existed.
Reviewing the patents quickly identified the inventors and executives of the company.
17
CHAPTER 1 – The Right People in the Right Place
William N. Thode, Inventor – Thode was also the co-inventor of a Stock-controlled feed for
presses which was patented in 1924. No other patients were found bearing his name. It was
also stated that he was a resident of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
Charles C. Mason, Developed an improved model based on original model. Nothing else could
be found on Mason, but the search for information is not over.
Chas R. Koursh was listed on both patents as the witness. It would only be logical to speculate
that he was also employed by Seiders – Mather Corporation, but in what capacity has yet to be
discovered.
Charles H. Rosenfeld, President - Referred to as the Pivot man for the Seiders-Mather
Corporation, Rosenfeld was remembered as a motivator. His family left to the Chicago
University over 19.5 linear feet of materials on motivational salesmanship and sales techniques;
reports, training publications, posters, and placards on sales management and moneymaking
methods; material on sales talks, sales contests, and other promotions. His papers are
reportedly dating from 1906-1974. Oh, did I fail to mention there were also boxes on the
Krimp’It? No, well, that is because until June of 2012, those documents were not available to
the general public. It was through contact with Mr. Rosenfeld’s family that the doors at the
University of Chicago started opening for this research project.
Born on May 29, 1886, Charles worked in sales
for most of his life. Records indicated that he was
a traveling salesman from around 1917 up to the
1920’s. From the 1920’s to the 1960 he earned
his place in various companies holding executive
positions. It was during this period that he was
brought on board with Seth Seiders to organize
the many facets the Seiders Syndicate had
acquired which included the Krimp’It Fastener.
In 1931, Charles Rosenfeld, L. R. Fox, F. A.
Mudgett, and Wirt Hurd, all former executives of
Seiders, Inc., took over the company, renamed it
The Seiders-Mather Corporation, and patented
and sold the Krimp'It paper fastening device.
18
From the sources available, it was easy to establish the kind of man Charles Rosenfeld was,
He was friendly and easy to approach. His salesmanship skills came naturally and earned
him great respect in the industry. He did retire in 1960 and enjoyed 23 years of retirement
before passing away in 1983.
Seth Seiders, Born in 1883 in Paulding Ohio, Seth Seiders seems to have entered this life driven
by an intense desire to make money. It was said that he worked as a child selling magazines,
trapping animals for the pelts and he sold blackberries. Even in his youth, his goal was to make
a million dollars.
Before long, he had grown into “a big, well-dressed, blonde-headed man with an arresting gray
eye,” as he was described in 1926. Seiders started a short-lived business, sold advertising for a
newspaper, traveled the country selling door to door, married a businesswoman, and ultimately
did make a million dollars
How he made that money, though, is a matter of some debate. After moving to Chicago, he
founded and presided over Seth Seiders Incorporated, and built a tiny empire selling printed
pep talks and motivational sales booklets.
During the same years of the first half of the 1920s that Seiders was building his business in
Chicago, Al Capone was taking over the Chicago underworld—making millions every year off
liquor and gambling and prostitution—bribing and threatening and striking deals with countless
lawmen and politicians and businessmen. The rumors were that Seth Seiders and Al Capone
had mutual business interest.
In 1924, Seiders left Chicago for New Mexico, for the Jemez Mountains, but continued to spend
at least half of every year in Illinois. He bought a large piece of property in the Jemez
Mountains’ Cebolla Valley, built a house, a dancehall, an exclusive and technically illegal bar, a
little store, and numerous outbuildings. Stables held horses for his guests to ride, hop plants
grew around a mysteriously locked building, and there was more than enough room for friendly
local girls, banquets, and slot machines. The property became known as the Rancho Rea, after
Seiders’ wife, Rhea, and Seiders’ friends and associates would come west from Chicago and the
East Coast just to see it. One of those people that spent time at the ranch was Al Capone.
Wirt W. Hurd, Mr. Hurd was the Treasurer for the Seiders – Mather Company. Unfortunately
nothing has been found on this individual.
19
CHAPTER 2 – The Right Place
Chicago, Illinois was the place to be at the turn of the 20th century. The mechanical revolution
was alive and well and living in Chicago. Several of the stapler and fastener companies were
established in the city and everyone knew everyone.
The Seiders – Mather Corporation occupied offices at 155 -165 East Superior Street, Chicago,
Illinois. The building is still occupied today and was for a period of time the offices of E. H.
Sargent & Company, the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Northwestern Campus of the
University of Chicago.
20
CHAPTER 3 – Advertisements
It is hard to believe hours were spent looking for any advertisements associated with the
Krimp’It and nothing was found. The following ads were found in the papers donated to the
University of Chicago.
What these documents do is confirm that the machine was produced in numbers and marketed
to the public. Also, that the Seiders – Mather Corporation employed men to sell their product
throughout the county. It was because of the lack of examples and the lack of any
advertisements that one may consider the machine was not sold nationally. But now is does
appear salesmen were moving the fastener, perhaps not in large numbers.
21
22
23
24
CHAPTER 4 – Trademark and Patents
(Trademark)
25
26
(Original Patent)
27
28
29
30
(Assignment of Patent by William N. Thode)
31
(Patent Improvements)
32
33
34
35
(Assignment of Patent Improvements by Charles C. Mason)
36
CHAPTER 5 – Photographs
(Original Model)
(Improved Model)
37
This is the paper table with trademark and Seiders-Mather Corporation logo.
From the plate, it would appear that the company produced these fasteners before the patent
was approved.
38
CHAPTER THREE
Electric Staplers
Vintage Electric Staplers
Spend a little time looking up electric staplers and see what you find. Don’t be at all surprised to
find, well, nothing. This is a subject that has not kindled the imagination of a single writer or
historian. There will not be a special on the History Channel and it is highly unlikely one will not
show up on the Antique Road Show. In fact, the real reason, this writer is tackling the subject, is
because it has never been covered and should be, if we are going to recognize this machine as a
vintage fastener.
History will tell us that the electric motor was invented in the 19th century, but we will not concern
ourselves with specifics, because there are many types and styles of motors. Used with actuators,
you can pretty much apply motion to just about anything you want to be “electric”.
The first electric typewriters were invented around 1899 by Charles Blickensderfer who did just
that. He added the motor and actuator to existing patents and produced the first electric typewriter.
Some fastener historians will tell you that the electric stapler came to be in the 1950’s, and that is
all that is written on the subject. “The electric stapler came to be in the 1950’s.”
Early examples pop up every now and again. Acme, Bates, Boston Wire Stitcher, and Swingline
appeared to be the leaders in the field and judging from the number of examples found to date,
did well for themselves. But, it is for sure; other companies worked their magic and produced
electric staplers.
39
ACME STAPLE COMPANY
The Acme Stapler pictured below appears to be one of the oldest examples. But appearance can
be deceiving. Acme maintained its inventory for years and produced the same fasteners for
decades. At first glance this fastener appears to be early to late 1930's. But upon closer
examination, the fastener shows that it is actually early to late 1950's. Again, the company produced
the fasteners for decades.
This heavy duty or floor model clearly is electric but appears to be nothing more than an actuator
connected to an existing model. The stapler is electric, but only in the most basic context.
(Acme Floor Model)
40
BATES MANUFACTURING COMPANY
The stapler is a Bates H-30, which are still easily found today.
The motor that powers the actuator is a 2.2 amp, 1/15 horsepower Bodine electric motor and this
is coupled through a solenoid clutch actuator.
To operate it, one has to turn on the main switch, then hold down the safety switch (which starts
the motor whirring), then guide the paper under the stapler. This actuates the clutch solenoid, and
with this, your papers are stapled.
The stapler takes standard staples therefore, 30 or 40 sheets of paper may be the maximum.
The base of this electric stapler is painted a light grey, which was common with office machine of
the early 1950’s period.
(Bates Electric Stapler)
41
42
The stapler found in this example is the Bates H-30 a machine that was acquired when Bates
acquired the Consolidated Wire Product Company of New York who produced the Mercury Sr.
and Mercury Jr.
43
Researching patents have provided a likely find. Patent Number 2,643,307 Was granted to John J.
Geel on June 23, 1953 for his invention of an electric Switch Actuator for an electric stapler. Geel
assigned this invention to Francis E. Shreve of Charlotte, N.C.
44
Patent Number 2,656,537 Was granted to John J. Geel as well, on October 27, 1953 for his
invention of an electrically Operable Stapler Actuator . Again, Geel assigned this invention to
Francis E. Shreve.
45
Bodine, the maker of the motor on this example has a long history of automating machine
previously considered manual. The following information is provided from their web site.
46
Another example of the Bates Electric is their Model 56. This machine used the Bates Model 56
standard stapler as its base fastener.
47
BOSTITCH
Invented by Charles E. Shank and Nathan Smith, this model was to be known as the
Electromagnetic Fastener. As of this writing, is the oldest electric fastener found.
The patent was applied for on December 17, 1936 and on July 27, 1937 it was approved. Patent
number 2,088,350 was assigned to this device.
In contacting Stanley Bostitch, it was determined that they have no information on this electric
stapler which left this writer to continue the investigation. Continuing the never ending search for
information, at last, a BOSTITCH pamphlet was found dated 1939 and pictured in the pamphlet,
this, the Electromagnetic Fastener.
Interestingly, there was no indication on the page that this model was new. There was no claim to
be the first. It was what it was; we have an electromagnetic fastener for sale. It was because of this
soft sale, and based on the practices of the day, it would be safe to assume this machine was
manufactured at about the same time the patent was approved and that would be 1937.
Granted, it is not definitive but at least we as collectors will have a foundation in which to build.
48
The stapler used for the early electric fastener was the star of the Boston Wire Stitcher’s fleet. This
stapler was produced for many years and had a reputation of lasting a life time.
49
50
The Bostomatic was advertised by Bostitch in 1956.
Bostitch was a very strong fastener producer and had many models of fasteners on the market.
They have continually made manual and electric staplers throughout the years. The workmanship
and quality of the Bostitch products have always withstood the test of time.
51
This is a mid to late 1950’s example of the Bostitch Bostomatic Model B5E3J Electric Stapler.
This electric example was a 110 volt, 15 amps at 60 cycle system. Safe to say, this electric stapler is
hard to find, probably because when they broke, most owners would discard them rather than take
a chance of shorting out their home or office.
With little effort, the Bostitch Stapler could easily be removed from the electrical portion of the
devise and used in a manual manner.
The Bostitch Stapler held a patent number of 2150332 issued on March 14, 1939. The Inventor
was Arthur H. Maynard who was well known as one of the most knowledgeable fastener inventors
in the industry. What made this stapler ideal was that it uses standard size staples. Standard staple
could be found everywhere from your local 5 and Dine to Sear and Roebucks.
52
E. H. HOTCHKISS COMPANY
An early example of electric staplers comes from Roy E. Peterson who was with the Hotchkiss
Stapler Company for years and responsible for many of their fasteners and designs.
This patent was applied for on October 28, 1929 with an approval date of May 26, 1931.
Peterson acknowledges that operating a foot operated or hand operated stapler numerous times
during the day, may be exceedingly tiring to the user.
It is not known whether this fastener was ever produced. None have surfaced to date, but the
stapler is a Model 1A patented December 10, 1918 and is still found today in good working order.
This example, invented by Francis J. Taylor, Jr. uses the Hotchkiss Model 122 as its staple driver.
Taylor filed for his patent on August 27, 1948. The patent was approved on March 14, 1950.
53
Note the similarities to the Boston Wire Stitcher Model 4.
54
MARKWELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Only after a careful review of my own data base did I find that Markwell had developed an electric
stapler in the early 1950s.
As indicated, this electric stapler used the RF model as its fastener and worked under the same
principles as the other electric staplers, an actuator.
This machine appears to be nicely made, but all that is available for evaluation is the photograph.
55
STAPLEX COMPANY
James J. Oussani’s invention is a fastener that many collectors will recognize. Patent Number
2,403,947 was applied for on May 19, 1944 . This patent was approved on July 16, 1946.
As a foot note, his patent attorney was Nooster Davis. The same attorney used for years by the
Hotchkiss Stapler Company and by Gertrude Hotchkiss Heyn after she sold the company.
The stapler boasted and automatic trigger in which the inserted paper would activate the stapler.
This patent was procured by Staplex Company Brooklyn, New York and was produced by them in
1949. Staplex claims to hold the first patents issued for an electric stapler which is not valid.
Regardless, Staplex has been producing many electric staplers throughout the years and is certainly
a leader in this field.
This model was more commercially successful than other electric staplers as evident by its
availability today. They can be found at flea markets and antique shops and on line auctions.
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SWINGLINE
Swingline does not appear to have had interest in the electric stapler until much later. To date, the
earliest example found appears to be the Swingline Model 66P.
This fastener was made using the same technology as their competitors.
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It has been said, the Swingline Electric Stapler was introduced in 1956. Yet, where was it, what did
it look like and why aren’t they in any collections?
Turns out, perhaps they are in collections. The Swingline Model 66P appears to be an earlier
version of the 66A which was introduced around 1958 to 1959. That stapler was sold in greater
numbers and in the finest tradition of Swingline, was well made, which equated to a longer life.
Unlike the Bostitch, Swingline designed their electric stapler where the stapler could not be
removed from the electrical portion of the devise therefore, could not be used as a manual stapler.
This could, at least in part, explained why there aren’t many around. When they broke, they were
discarded.
The Swingline Electric Stapler was a 110 volt, 15 amps at 50-60 cycle system
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And the story continues. There is still much to be learned. There are many fasteners to be
discovered and researched. For now, it is safe to say, staplers and especially, electric staplers have
been with us for a longer period of time then what we believed.
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Acco claims they produced the first electric stapler for the purpose of use in the office and on
desk. This ad has to be from the 1970’s, but who would argue the point, it is just advertising.
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CHAPTER FOUR
Advertising
PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS
and
ADVERTISEMENTS
Staplers as a promotional product represent
marketing power. Whether 100 years ago or to the
present time, one fact remains true, promotional
products work. Promotional products serve several
purposes. Customers will remember your
organization long after they’ve received the product.
In the form of a stapler, the promotional product is
always at hand and serves as a reminder. Repeated
exposure is always guaranteed when the product is a
stapler sitting on your client’s desk. A quality
promotional stapler will leave a favorable impression
with the client, not only for the company that has
provided the stapler but for the stapler manufacturer
as well.
The B8 was a well built stapler that lasted for
decades.
The practice continues today, with several stapler
manufactured providing their product for the
purpose of advertising other companies.
As a business owner, your primary purpose is to
sell your product or goods. You want your product
seen, you want your product on the mind of the
consumer and you want the consumer to buy your
product.
The fastener industry wants the same thing.
Markwell seems to have mastered their effect of
the consumers.
Above: Two examples of plunger caps mounted on
the Hotchkiss Stapler Model 1. The example of the
left is advertising the National Office Supply
Company and the example of the right is advertising
the National Cash Register Company.
The National Cash Register Company gave the
stapler away with each purchase of a new cash
register.
Every time your employees looked at the clock,
what did they see? You look up to see if it lunch
time and oh, yeah – I need to buy a few more
Markwell staplers and several boxes of staples.
BOSTITCH took advantage of this same opportunity
by making their Model B8 available for advertising.
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Let me check the calendar to see when my
vacation starts and – Oh, yeah - I need to order a
few more Markwell Staplers.
You are ready to take the game with the best hand
of the night. Excitement is end the air, and Oh yeah
– I need to buy a new Markwell Stapler.
Wonderful ideas that was cost effective and easy
to produce. Good salesmen used these
promotional tools, and used them well (Mark
well).
Many of you may remember when it acceptable to
smoke in the office place. Pipes, cigarettes and
cigar were common. The stapler companies were
prepared to reach out to their clients even here.
In the days of the fountain pen everyone had to
have one of these. Known as a ink blotter, this
little piece of card board like paper was used to
blot up excess ink from letter that had been
written. It was a must have when writing.
(left) This bronzed color advertisement for
Markwell Staplers was made by Metal Arts Co.
Rochester, New York. The caractor in the center of
the ash tray is Staple Sam the Markwell Man. It
goes without saying, he made from staples.
(right) This BOSTITCH lighter was a superb early
advertising promotional item. Back in the day
when smoking was considered acceptable and
most people took part without regards to their
health. This lighter was made by WESTON INT'L
N.Y. Approximate size: 4.1cm (l) x 1.5cm.
Before the age of Television, everyone found other
ways to entertain themselves. Cards were a
favorite.
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My favorite advertisement or promotional
product is this Arrow Stapling Machine belt
buckle. I don’t leave home without it. How else
will all the other collectors realize that I am an
Antique and Vintage Fastener Collector? Many
times, after looking at this belt buckle, I have the
urge to run down to Office Depot or Home Depot
just to look at the new fastener models.
For those large orders, Duo – Fast was ready to
deliver.
The Swingline stuff characters still show up today.
These toys could be found at your local 5 and 10
Cent store. I know, because I remember them at
the store near my house around 1959 -1960 time
period.
The Hotchkiss Sales C. display at the Chicago Expo 1921
This display was a good way to get the stapler out
of the box and show it off. This was effective
advertising.
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(Advertisements)
Advertisements in magazines, booklets, and news
paper were very common and used by nearly all
fastener manufacturers. Thousands of men were
employed to go from business to business, from
door to door. While some depended on salesmen,
others advertised from the company level..
The ads are informative and sometimes colorful.
They are more often than not plan in the content
and only concern themselves with the subject
matter, “Staplers”.
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BOSTITCH discovered a unique way to advertise,
through the use of cartoons. BOSTITCH was able to
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enertain and get their message across at the
same time. The stapler, a model B8 is easily found
today because so many were made and sold.
During World War II, all of the fastener
companies did their part. Many conferted
their plants to make war material while
others were needed to continue making
staplers for the military. BOSTITCH took
advantage of this contribution and let the
public know just how 1mportant their
staplers were.
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Yes, BOSTITCH, your staplers and stitchers can help
win the war.
There was a story floating around after the war, that
German soldiers would trade two and sometimes
three german staplers for one Swingline Model 3
because the Swingline was made so much better.
This is absolutely believeable as the Swingline was
built to last a life time. Many of the war issed Model
3 staplers are still available and at a low price. Find
that Swingline with the wooded base and use you
found a 1945 stapler.
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CHAPTER FIVE
Patents
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CHAPTER SIX
Restoration
RESTORATION
In consideration of the service most desk top
fasteners and staplers have provided, one
would have to conduct some form of
restoration just to make the tool appealing to
the eye and worthy of display.
Just mentioning restoration will conjure up
debate from several different beliefs.
a. Some believe under no
circumstances restoration should
take place. Restoration destroys
patina or integrity.
b. While others believe only touch ups
should take place. No repainting or
plating should take place. Minor
cosmetic corrections are permissible
only for the purpose of improving
the tool for display.
c. There are others who feel that any
change is O.K. as long as it makes
the tool useable.
d. Still others believe that when a
working tool is involved, especially
one that was never considered to
have a collectible value, any
restoration is permissible.
restored. In nearly all cases looking as good
as news and the way their family member
had it . It all cases, their responses were
positive and appreciative of the care and
respect I had shown the simple tool used by
their family member.
SIMPLE RESTORATION
This example shown below is a good
example of simple restoration performed on
a Hotchkiss stapler. The gentleman who
owned it had passed away and his
granddaughter made this stapler available on
the internet. The machine was in poor
condition and was not worthy of display.
This stapler was cleaned at which time it
was determined the base was extreme
rusted. The remaining paint and rust was
removed and the base was repainted the
original gloss black. Nickel parts were
cleaned and polished. The springs and
moving internal parts were oiled.
Overall, the process took three hours and at
completion, the stapler was now ready for
display.
It is my belief that the forth rule applies. As
long as the fastener is restored to its original
condition the fastener does not lose value
and restoration serves to enhance its
appearance and on only adds to its
appreciation.
Many times, when buying an antique or
vintage fastener, I have asked the seller if
this fastener was the property of a family
member. If it was, I would send a picture
back to the seller after the fastener was
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COMPLETE RESTORATION
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