"The First web page Dedicated to Antique
Fasteners"
Q:Just popped by your site and noticed that in your inventory of Swingline products, you left out the Model 333. If you're not familiar with it, it's a funky late-50's/early-60's modernist design quite unlike anything else Swingline ever produced. From the bottom of mine, the latest patent number is 3144653, which dates to 1964.
A:You are right. The Model 333 has had me stumped for about 6 months. Until your email, I had no information on this model, except for what is shown on the bottom of my example. You provided the key I needed to add this fastener to the list. My example shows the standard patents used on just about every Swingline since 1938. Your new information allowed me to verify the patent approved date. Model 333 has been added.(This is a good example of why we all need to contribute. The history of fasteners has never been documented. Our efforts today will provide future generations of fastener collectors with the tools needed to better understand the hobby.)
Q:I have a small Tatum stapler. On the bottom it says: Wilson Jones Co Model T155. Would you please let me know when it was made and approximately what it's retail value?
A: The T155 or "Little Buddy" was presented to the patent office by Herbert W. Marano of Brooklyn NY assignor for the Wilson Jones Company with offices in New York, Chicago, IL, Kansas City and San Francisco.
The application for the "Design" patent was submitted on August 29, 1950. The request was for a 14 year term. The patent was approved on February 6, 1951. Therefore, Your example could well be from 1951 to 1965. It is definitely, a "Vintage Stapler".
Most the Tatum's that I have appear to be late 1950's to early 1960's. Ads that I have, do not have zip codes posted which became a national norm in the mid-1960's.
Value is difficult to determine. Depending on whether you have the box, ads, and the condition of the stapler will all play into the value. Approximate value is: $5.00 - $30.00
Q: I tried to win a stapler on Ebay and was surprised at the amount it went for. Where can I find a guide for old staplers?
A: Stapler and Fastener collecting have not evolved enough to have such a guide. As a collector, I am sometimes shocked by the bidding of some.
All I can recommend is, don't get discouraged. Sooner or later those bidders with deep pockets will have to sleep. Don't stop bidding against them. If they want the same fastener that you want, make them pay a fair price for it.
Q: Did E.H. Hotchkiss invent the stapler that carries his name?
A: No he didn't. E.H. Hotchkiss bought into an existing company (The Jones Manufacturing Company) that already had rights to the Automatic Star Fastening machine.The company had 1400 examples in stock at the time of the purchase. Patent Model 572346 dated December 1, 1895 was credited to James A. Keyes and the Greenfield Automatic Fastener Company of New York, New York.
Q: Who collects staplers?
A: I know of collectors in five countries and many of the states here in American. Staplers or Fasteners are sought after because they are a very good representation of the period in which they were created. By this I mean the early fasteners were designed using the Victorian design, later is was the deco and streamline and today the modern. If you want, you can find gold and silver plated fasteners as well. My favorite reason to collect fasteners is - "Price". They can be found at flea markets, yard sells, and yes, on Ebay. In many cases you will pay less than $10.00
Q: Did the inventor of the first patented stapler, Samuel Slocum, get alot of money?
A: Like many others, I believed that Samuel Slocum was the first individual to invent a fastener in america. After researching this information, it was discovered that Mr. Slocum designed a machine that stuck straight pins into paper. In examining the patent drawing and the description for patent 2275, it is my belief that this was not a paper fastener at all, Mr. Slocum manufactured and sold straight pins. The machine he invented placed those pins on paper in order that they could be packaged and sold more easily.
Q: What is the value of the Hotchkiss Model 1 Fastener?
A: Several factors can drive the price of the model 1 Hotchkiss. Is it the early model or a later model? Does it have staples and how many? Does it have the Load Spring or "tail" as it is referred to? Is it a National Cash Register presentation model? Any and all of the factors can make a difference. Value can be estimated from $15.00 to $200.00
Q: Do you have any information regarding the BUMP Paper Fastener?
A: The Bump Paper Fastener Company out of La Crosse, Wisconsin is known for producing two desired collectibles. The Stand Model (Desk Model) and the hand held model or EL-TEN Stapler. Depending on condition, both machines could easily bring between $20.00 to $40.00
Q: Can you provide any information and/or value on my Hotchkiss Model 6?
A: F. Polzer patented this fastener. His design was filed on April 25, 1935. I am not sure of his position with the Hotchkiss Company, but he was responsible for several of their models. Anyway, The model 6 is one of my favorite fasteners. I believe it represents the deco design of the period very well. The model 6 came in at least three styles. Black, Black and Chrome, and Nickel. My favorite is the Black and chrome style. Value for the model 6 is fluid. $12.00 to $35.00
Q: When was my Speed Products #3 Swingline Speed Stapler built?
My stapler is silver in color and the manufacture's name is Speed Products
Co. Inc. in Long Island City, NY, but it has Swingline "Speed Stapler"3 on
the front of the anvil top that you hit. It is all metal except for the
anvil top which is some sort of plastic? material.
A: I would consider this a circa 1946 fastener.
Q:I ran out of staples for my favorite Markwell Handi-clip stapler. Where can I get a supply of RX staples?
A:Two places that I know of. Ebay is always a good source for vintage staplers and staples and the Markwell Company is still alive and well and you can see their web site at:
http://www.mrkwll.com/products.asp?UCat=20&UCat2=21&linkType=subCat&prodID=70
Tell them, "The Stapler Exchange sent you."
If this doesn't work, let me know and I will see if I can't help find you some RX staples.
Q: I have an Aceliner Model 504 and would like to buy another. Where can I get one?
A: By all standards, the Aceliner 504 is not a vintage machine. Ace Fastener is producing them as of this writing. This fastener retails for between $25.00 and $30.00. I would recommend Ebay.com for a real savings. Go to the Stapler Exchange Links page. You will find a line to Ace.