Thread Number: 24890
How old is this P.A. Geier Hand Vacuum Model B257? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 279823   5/8/2014 at 23:25 (3,639 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        

How old is this Vintage P.A. Geier Hand Vacuum Model B257? Someone told me it could be from the 1920s or 1930s. I got this on Ebay for $50. The user told me it was only used a few times and that the scratches are from age. Also, was Aldens a Department Store? I have a feeling that the B257s are really rare. I've never seen another one. I will be surprised if this really was used a few times and the scratches really are from age. I somehow think this was constantly used and that the ebay user wanted to get rid of it. When I took it out of its package today, it was so dirty and dusty. My room smelled like old 1930s dust. There was dust all over my stuff. I had to wipe the vacuum down with clorox wipes. I even wiped the bag down with those wipes. When I first turned it on, the bag splat out all dust in the air. It smells like old Department Store when you turn it on. I may wash the bag on this. I am worried though the Aldens logo will fade. But the bag is not as dusty as it was when I first took it out of the package. Were talking huge dust balls when I first took it out.

Post# 279824 , Reply# 1   5/8/2014 at 23:29 (3,639 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        



Post# 279825 , Reply# 2   5/8/2014 at 23:30 (3,639 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        



Post# 279826 , Reply# 3   5/8/2014 at 23:30 (3,639 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        



Post# 279827 , Reply# 4   5/8/2014 at 23:31 (3,639 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        



Post# 279828 , Reply# 5   5/8/2014 at 23:31 (3,639 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
That looks like

 jfalberti's profile picture
A Royal Prince. I could be wrong.

Post# 279836 , Reply# 6   5/9/2014 at 00:19 (3,639 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Joe,

Yes, it's a Royal Prince variation. The bag suggests this cleaner was sold at the Aldens department store.

~Ben

Post# 279838 , Reply# 7   5/9/2014 at 00:59 (3,639 days old) by Anachronism ()        

Definitely a Royal Prince re-badged. I have a version of it without the brush roll called a "Crown", probably from the '50s


Post# 279844 , Reply# 8   5/9/2014 at 03:01 (3,639 days old) by kenkart ()        
Aldens..

 Was a catalogue sales outfit, like Sears or Wards, but I dont know if they ever had an actual store, I have a few of there 60s catalogues.

Post# 279846 , Reply# 9   5/9/2014 at 03:20 (3,639 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
This appears to be a pre-1966 (or whereabouts) model as the base plate does not wrap around the entire nozzle.

~Ben

Post# 279853 , Reply# 10   5/9/2014 at 08:12 (3,639 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Yes, Aldens was a catalog store, they were located on the corner of Cicero and Roosevelt in Chicago. I think they did have a store as well or it might have been a will call for the catalog. I think they went out of business in the '70s or '80s.

I see that you have already established that it is a Royal.

Post# 279859 , Reply# 11   5/9/2014 at 09:54 (3,638 days old) by Anachronism ()        

Here are 2 more pics of that product line, I suppose this could be labeled 'Crown-Prince'

Post# 279870 , Reply# 12   5/9/2014 at 11:57 (3,638 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        

So Ben says it's from before 1966. I think he is right. The guys at the vacuum store who collect vacuum cleaners told me it could be from the late 20s early 30s. I am thinking 30s. That Royal Crown looks like it could be from the 20s as well. I also washed the bag because of how dirty it is. I bought 2 genuine bags and I actually used it today when I got the belt for it. It smells like smoke when you turn it on. I am not sure if it's a bad sign if it smells like smoke. I think it's supposed to smell like smoke, because of how old the machine is.

Post# 279871 , Reply# 13   5/9/2014 at 12:29 (3,638 days old) by Anachronism ()        

If I remember my history correctly, these weren't produced till after WWII. I shall check---

Post# 279872 , Reply# 14   5/9/2014 at 12:32 (3,638 days old) by Anachronism ()        

The Royal 157 in the pic was built 1937-1954 according to an earlier Vac Land post from 2010

Post# 279906 , Reply# 15   5/9/2014 at 17:12 (3,638 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
'scratches from age',

 super-sweeper's profile picture

That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard,I couldn't help but chuckle to myself about it! Scratches do not simply occur over time, whether from hard use. 1920s? Try 1950s! The vacuum is DEFINITELY NOT supposed to smell of smoke due to old age, you certainly have the wrong belt, which is burning due to friction, or the brush-roll is seized. Run it without the belt and you should find it to run fine.
Post# 279913 , Reply# 16   5/9/2014 at 18:22 (3,638 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        

The guy at the vacuum store told me it could be from late 20s early 30s. Maybe he did not know what he was talking about. And the guy on ebay who obviously lied to me told me it was used very little and the scratches are from age. The ebay guy knew nothing about vacuum cleaners obviously. He was just trying to get ride of it, so he probably told me that so I would buy it. I hope my next hand vacuum to be a brand new unused Royal Prince 501. I really want one of those, but I have to be willing to pay a very expensive price. So I am going to wait until I have the money.

But still, I love this hand vacuum I currently got. I ordered it back in December, and my friend was holding it for me until now. I did wash the bag and I wiped the vacuum down. It was so dusty when I got it out of the package. Now, it should work fine. When I turned it on the first time, a huge giant puff of fuss came out of it, but no smell of smoke. When I got the belt, then it smelled like smoke. So it is the belt then.

Post# 279914 , Reply# 17   5/9/2014 at 18:23 (3,638 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        

Those pictures I took were before I washed the bag. Hopefully now, the bag will not have those brown marks.

Post# 279923 , Reply# 18   5/9/2014 at 19:55 (3,638 days old) by BikerRay (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Oops, I think it was Speigle at the corner of Cicero and Roosevelt.

Sorry about that.

Post# 279997 , Reply# 19   5/10/2014 at 11:24 (3,637 days old) by phoenixman2014 ()        

I officially tested it out yesterday with the washed bag on the machine. I used shredded paper. It picks up so well. I have never seen a vacuum with such strong suction. Too bad they don't make vacuum cleaners like they used to. One problem I have with this hand vacuum is that the dust and dirt gets stuck. I noticed the motor started to sound down and the bag did not puff up anymore. Then, I took the bag off, and all the shreds I vacuumed were stuck. I had a paper bag in with the outer bag. I threw the paper bag away and decided to use just the outer bag as a shakeout bag. I removed the shredded paper and it worked again.

I might just keep it in my collection. It's not really made for use anymore. But I do love how quiet it is.

Post# 280004 , Reply# 20   5/10/2014 at 11:36 (3,637 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
shredded paper,

 super-sweeper's profile picture

Was never the best test material, was known for clogging vacuums as you mentioned! 
Try something along the lines of Rice next time, less clog-prone and shows proper carpet agitation!Wink

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