Well, I fully expected the bidding to be far more aggressive on this Kirby than it proved to be. This is one of the "R" - "Retail" series of pre-500-series Kirbys sold in retail stores. The on-off switch is in the handle; the cord goes from the motor up through the handle. There were four R models - R, 1R, 2R, 3R and 4R, corresponding to the four C models (C, 1C, 2C, 3C and 4C) sold door to door.

I am not sure of the exact dates of the four R and C models; I just know that the Models C and R came out in 1935 and the 2C and 2R in 1939.

When the first 500-series model came out, the 505 in 1945, Kirbys were no longer sold in stores but exclusively by home demonstration.

Thus, the four R models -- being the only Kirbys ever sold in retail stores -- are quite rare. Even besides their early date of manufacture.

Personally, I thought that even though the bag was replaced, the machine was still very desirable and I fully expected it to go much higher. That's an old replacement bag and appears to be in excellent condition. Oh well!

Then here's a beautiful Electrolux XXX that also did far less than I would have expected. It looks to be in practically mint condition with the original hose (granted, with a flaw but that could have been fairly easily remedied). And there's a very rare accessory, the salesman's carrying case.

I asked an Electrolux old-timer why the ends of the case were hollow and he said it was for a bit of "mystery" -- to make people get a glimpse of something chrome and shiny inside and wonder what was in there. (The cord winder would not have been attached as it is here.)

And speaking of cord winders, this one is a real beauty! Doesn't appear to have a scratch on it.

Maybe it's the recession, or maybe it's that there are fewer collectors now who are willing to spend big sums on vacuum cleaners.