Visit to Hibbert Wholesale in Calgary

Oh wow Dave. I think that Belltower Electro is the vacuum that my grandmother had when I was growing up. I've been trying to find out for years what make it was but have never come across anything like it. Hers had the same floor brush and rug brush as well as all the other tools. I remember the hose was rubber and it screwed into the machine. There were 2 curved wands, a floor tool with a sheepskin like pad on it as well as the dusting brush, crevice tool, ulphostery nozzle, sprayer and a couple of other tools that I have no idea what they were for. It had the same style of plug in cord. Hers was a different colour however - either a light beige or greenish colour with the black trim. I remember all the tools, hose, etc. were kept in a canvas bag with handle - I don't know if it came with the vacuum or if that was just something they added. They kept the bag under the bed (not much closet space in homes in those days) and the vacuum was kept in an old pillow case also under the bed. When I was about 8 years old my mom bought my grandmother a Hoover Constellation and that was the vac she used from then on. The Belltower was just used to clean out the chimney stovepipes from the wood cooking stove in the kitchen. I believe the Belltower belonged to my mom first and then when she got her first Filter Queen she gave the Belltower to my grandmother. It was her first vacuum ever. That would have been in the mid 50s. After university when I moved to Toronto and got my very first apartment my grandmother gave me the Belltower. I used it for a few months but found it very inconvenient to use since the apartment had wood floors and the runners on the vac didn't allow it to move easily. I bought a new Lux AP280 and the Belltower went back to my parent's for their cottage. I don't know what happened to it after that. I have a suspicion they just took it to the dump.

Gary


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 74015 7/1/2009 at 21:12 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey everyone: During my trip to Calgary last week I stopped to visit Jim Hibbert at Hibbert Wholesale. Jim has collected vacuums for quite a few years and has a very interesting display at their business. I thought you all might find the photos I took of them interesting. Doug

Post# 74016 , Reply# 1 7/1/2009 at 21:12 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes picture 2

Post# 74017 , Reply# 2 7/1/2009 at 21:13 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Picture 3

Post# 74018 , Reply# 3 7/1/2009 at 21:14 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes picture 4

Post# 74020 , Reply# 4 7/1/2009 at 21:15 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes picture 5 - Belltower Electro (Made by Holland Electro)

Post# 74022 , Reply# 5 7/1/2009 at 21:16 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes picture 6

Post# 74024 , Reply# 6 7/1/2009 at 21:23 (5,411 days old) by sireluxomatic ()
Checkrate/Likes Nice pictures, Doug, and it looks like all of those are in true showroom condition. What model is the blue cylinder on the right in the last picture?

Post# 74027 , Reply# 7 7/1/2009 at 21:26 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hi Bob: Afraid I didnt make note of all the models but its a Firestone cleaner.

Post# 74037 , Reply# 8 7/1/2009 at 21:53 (5,411 days old) by luxg ()
Checkrate/Likes Doug, that is one awesome collection and your display is fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing. Terry

Post# 74062 , Reply# 10 7/1/2009 at 23:43 (5,411 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Super display concept and behind glass to ward off curious little fingers, too. I'm tickled to know I have many of those vacuums. :-) That's a Mayers next to the Firestone, I think? Dave

Post# 74074 , Reply# 11 7/2/2009 at 00:43 (5,411 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes *What a Nice Display!* Thank you Doug, for taking the pics while you were there and sharing them with us! Jeff

Post# 74091 , Reply# 14 7/2/2009 at 09:08 (5,410 days old) by akabent (LEFT Coast)
Checkrate/Likes *Mayer/Bee-Vac* Hey, Dave You're the only person I know that also had a Mayer. Mine was gray and originally had a brown hose and black, ribbed cord. It was amazingly powerful, a really great machine. I had mine when I was like an embryo, in the late 60's! Sorry it is gone. Rick

Post# 74105 , Reply# 16 7/2/2009 at 10:42 (5,410 days old) by airway88 ()
Checkrate/Likes i love that airway 55. It looks very clean. Also that early compact is mint. Cool store it looks like!

Post# 74038 , Reply# 9 7/1/2009 at 21:57 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Terry: Jim really has done a nice job of displaying his collection hasnt he. I have a few more pictures of the items that arent restored or on display yet that I'll post later too. Doug

Post# 74080 , Reply# 12 7/2/2009 at 02:03 (5,411 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Dave - actually its a Bee Vac next to the Firestone.

Post# 74089 , Reply# 13 7/2/2009 at 06:58 (5,411 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Oh wow Dave. I think that Belltower Electro is the vacuum that my grandmother had when I was growing up. I've been trying to find out for years what make it was but have never come across anything like it. Hers had the same floor brush and rug brush as well as all the other tools. I remember the hose was rubber and it screwed into the machine. There were 2 curved wands, a floor tool with a sheepskin like pad on it as well as the dusting brush, crevice tool, ulphostery nozzle, sprayer and a couple of other tools that I have no idea what they were for. It had the same style of plug in cord. Hers was a different colour however - either a light beige or greenish colour with the black trim. I remember all the tools, hose, etc. were kept in a canvas bag with handle - I don't know if it came with the vacuum or if that was just something they added. They kept the bag under the bed (not much closet space in homes in those days) and the vacuum was kept in an old pillow case also under the bed. When I was about 8 years old my mom bought my grandmother a Hoover Constellation and that was the vac she used from then on. The Belltower was just used to clean out the chimney stovepipes from the wood cooking stove in the kitchen. I believe the Belltower belonged to my mom first and then when she got her first Filter Queen she gave the Belltower to my grandmother. It was her first vacuum ever. That would have been in the mid 50s. After university when I moved to Toronto and got my very first apartment my grandmother gave me the Belltower. I used it for a few months but found it very inconvenient to use since the apartment had wood floors and the runners on the vac didn't allow it to move easily. I bought a new Lux AP280 and the Belltower went back to my parent's for their cottage. I don't know what happened to it after that. I have a suspicion they just took it to the dump. Gary

Post# 74104 , Reply# 15 7/2/2009 at 10:35 (5,410 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Gary: Thats actually the only place I've ever come across the Belltower machines. I have got a later version of it under the name Arrow Electro though (Made by Holland Electro in Holland for the Arrow Sewing Machine Co.). The are a very neat looking machine and definately follow the style used in Holland in that time (I've included a picture of my Ford which was made by Ruton in Holland - same basic style of machine but the parts are a little different) Doug

Post# 74131 , Reply# 17 7/2/2009 at 14:33 (5,410 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Nice pictures* Love the Green Goddess made by Air-Way in the late 1920's or early 30's. That long black upright pumper second on thhe left is a Reeves Suction Sweeper, it was made in Millford, Connecticut in 1914. I have one in my collection. You pulled the top handle to create suction. Next to it is a variation of the Werner, I have one of those too though not the same color. The entire cylender moves up and down to create suction. That machine was shown briefly in the film MY Fair Lady. During the Rain In Spain number the butler uses it then rests it against a table. Look fast, as the shot is only about 10 seconds long. Alex