The collection, piece by piece

Curt’s Top Shelf

Photographs that carry Curt Scaglione's red TOP SHELF stamp, which marks the pieces he counts among his best. Identified by eye from the stamp on each photograph (2026-09-27), after a red-pixel search narrowed the candidates. Curt should confirm or correct this list; edit it here and re-run build_assets.py.

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  “The Roneo brand was so ubiquitous in Britain that the term “Roneo machine” became a generic term in the English language for a stencil duplicator.”

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  “The Ambart was said to replace seven or more punches.”

  “The Ambart is made entirely of iron and steel and is set on an oak base, which forms a box to catch the punchings.”

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  Make: McGill. Model: Single Stroke Staple Press. Made by: George W. McGill. Information: Circa 1879.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 9

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  Roy E. Peterson is the designer of the Zephyr.

  Fridolin Polzer was the dominant force behind the fasteners with dozens of patents in his name over a twenty-year period for design and improvements. His involvement is documented from at least the period of 1925 through 1939.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 23

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  Make: Crofoot. Model: Desk Top. Made by: J. B. Crofoot Company, Chicago, Illinois. Information: Circa 1917.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 4

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  The Hotchkiss Automatic Tag Machine. Price $1.50.

  Not for fastening papers together, but for putting tags or shipping cards on boxes, barrels, crates, cars, etc., and easily drives a staple or double tack into the hardest wood, or through tin.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 22 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

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  “Indications are that the machine was produced and marketed by the Tengwall File and Ledger Company. The Temple Hole Punch was advertised in Tengwall Talks, the monthly Tengwell sales magazine, in 1902.”

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  “Model B (1919): Patented in 1918 and sold in 1919, the Model B refined the feeding dog and added the two-position anvil, marking the first known stapler with this capability.”

  Make: Greenfield. Model: Desk Model. Made by: Greenfield MFG. Co., New York, NY. Information: Invented by Edwin T. Greenfield.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 6

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  “Lipman later marketed his own version of a similar eyelet machine in 1886, after the Steinmetz patent expired.”

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  “It represented an advancement in automation in that it used strips of eyelets rather than requiring the operator to insert individual eyelets one at a time.”

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  “The machine’s helmet (top casting) is marked with: “Steinmetz” “Philadelphia” “Pat April 17, 1860” indicating both the inventor and patent date.”

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  “The eyelet machine as a standardized marketplace product dates to 1854, when Hymen Lipman invented and marketed the first eyelet press.”

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  “Invented by Henry R. Heyl (One of two seen in the last 10 years)”

  Henry R. Heyl of Philadelphia, whose invention, commonly referred to as the “Original Fastener,” predates the widespread commercial success of later stapling devices such as the McGill Paper Fastener … one of the earliest known machines designed specifically to insert metal fasteners into paper.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 65

  A notable characteristic of the Original Fastener was its loading orientation. The fastener was positioned facing upward within the mechanism, requiring careful placement by the user. When actuated, the device drove the fastener downward through the paper.

  Surviving examples of the Original Fastener are extremely rare. Only a handful are known to exist in museum collections and private hands.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 66

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  “Today, the Hotchkiss Aristocrat is widely regarded as one of the most desirable and collectible staplers ever produced. With fewer than a dozen documented examples presently known in museums and private collections, it may also rank among the rarest American production staplers ever manufactured.”

  Introduced in 1937, the Hotchkiss Aristocrat Model H-31 … enclosed its working parts within a sleek molded housing that transformed a utilitarian office machine into a sculptural object.

  The machine measured approximately: length 7½ inches, width 2 11/16 inches, height 2 3/8 inches.

  Designers: Lester L. Wheeler (artist, inventor, and Hotchkiss designer), William H. Gref, and Orlo Heller of Bortic Studios. The stapling mechanism was manufactured by the E.H. Hotchkiss Company; the plastic housing by the Plastic Turning Company.

  Protected by United States Patent No. 2,139,342, Staple Driving Machine: filed July 31, 1937; granted December 6, 1938; inventor Lester L. Wheeler.

  Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler, p. 3

  The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, owns an Aristocrat dated 1937 (Accession 87.214). The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses an example credited to Lester L. Wheeler, William H. Gref, and Orlo Heller.

  Current evidence suggests that fewer than twelve examples are presently documented in museum collections and private ownership. Among known examples are staplers associated with the Yale University Art Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Minneapolis Institute of Art … and the Antique and Vintage Office Museum Collection by Curtis A. Scaglione.

  Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler, p. 5

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  “For years it was common belief that the Automatic Wire Stitching Machine was lost to history.”

  “Production was not started until 1881. It is believed that not many were produced and as of this date, this example is the lone survivor.”

  “This stapler comes from a gentleman's estate that lived in City Beach, Western Australia. This person was reportedly a missionary.”

  “As I do every day, I conduct what I call, the never-ending search. As in this case, I was running searches on rare machines that I already had but wouldn’t mind owning another. That is when I came across the original mailer for the Automatic Wire Stitching Machine. It doesn’t get any better.”

  Hasbrouck & Watson expect before long to have ready their automatic wire stitching machine, which will cut, form, drive and clinch a staple, fed from a continuous wire wound on a spool, all in one operation.

  It will fasten from two sheets to a thickness of three-sixteenths of an inch of paper. A boy can insert from 8,000 to 12,000 staples in a day, according to the character of the work. The spool contains wire for 3,500 staples.

  All of the working parts are made of hardened steel … It is about twelve inches high and six by ten base, and may be used on a table or anywhere.

  Automatic Wire Stitching Machine, p. 2 (an 1881 trade journal notice)

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  “…this extremely hard to find machine is now complete and in working order.”

Staplers

Staplers have been around since the late 1870's therefore, we have a great selection of antique and vintage machines for review and examination. The development of staplers really took off in the early 1900's and improvements followed. Many machines produced today are based on designs dating the early 1930's. Today, we refer to this office machine as a stapler. But early paper fasteners included the Eyelet machine and pin fasteners. Even now, some examples are proving to be more desirable to collectors and are harder to find. When examining the early machines, it easy to see these machines are historic. They were developed and manufactured during the mechanical revolution. Simple in design yet dependable. These 19th century and early 20th century designs are what you would expect of the era and this is where the concept of paper fasteners began.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Staplers

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  “Model 200 was patented in 1939 and consider a desirable addition to any collection.”

  Make: Arrow. Made by: Arrow Fastener Company, Brooklyn, New York. (The Arrow pictured in the register is the Commander, “a favorite among collectors.”)

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 2

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  “The Brown Staple Company later became the Acme Staple Company.”

  These machines trace back to inventions and machines produced by William J. Brown Jr., an early stapling machine inventor and operator in Philadelphia. He originally designed and patented several stapling and fastener machines in the 1880s and later formed the Acme Staple Company in 1894.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 129

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  “The introduction of the Acme Sure Shot in late 1894 represents the culmination of Brown's Pre-Acme development work.”

  The Sure Shot—An old favorite, reliable even when used by everyone around the office. It is the most economical machine for permanently fastening papers, etc. Holds 100 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

  Make: Acme. Model: Sure Shot. Made by: Acme Staple Company Ltd., Camden, New Jersey. Information: circa early 20th century.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 1

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  “…this extremely hard to find machine is now complete and in working order.”

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  The Acme Stapler is made in four models, completely covering every possible requirement of modern office practice.

  The Acme No. 1—For heavy duty. A powerful toggle forces the heavy staple through thick documents, carpet samples, roofing, etc. Holds 100 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

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  The Acme No. 2—A utility machine for general purposes. Drives a broad, flat staple through thick, tough stock, yet binds thin paper without mutilating it. Holds 50 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

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  The Acme No. 2—A utility machine for general purposes. Drives a broad, flat staple through thick, tough stock, yet binds thin paper without mutilating it. Holds 50 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

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  The Acme No. 1—For heavy duty. A powerful toggle forces the heavy staple through thick documents, carpet samples, roofing, etc. Holds 100 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

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  “Acme Number 1 previously part of the Elli Buk Collection and bought by Curtis Scaglione at auction.”

  “Elli was a good friend to all.”

  The Acme No. 1—For heavy duty. A powerful toggle forces the heavy staple through thick documents, carpet samples, roofing, etc. Holds 100 staples.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a period Acme Staple Co. advertisement)

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  “For years it was common belief that the Automatic Wire Stitching Machine was lost to history.”

  “Production was not started until 1881. It is believed that not many were produced and as of this date, this example is the lone survivor.”

  “This stapler comes from a gentleman's estate that lived in City Beach, Western Australia. This person was reportedly a missionary.”

  “As I do every day, I conduct what I call, the never-ending search. As in this case, I was running searches on rare machines that I already had but wouldn’t mind owning another. That is when I came across the original mailer for the Automatic Wire Stitching Machine. It doesn’t get any better.”

  Hasbrouck & Watson expect before long to have ready their automatic wire stitching machine, which will cut, form, drive and clinch a staple, fed from a continuous wire wound on a spool, all in one operation.

  It will fasten from two sheets to a thickness of three-sixteenths of an inch of paper. A boy can insert from 8,000 to 12,000 staples in a day, according to the character of the work. The spool contains wire for 3,500 staples.

  All of the working parts are made of hardened steel … It is about twelve inches high and six by ten base, and may be used on a table or anywhere.

  Automatic Wire Stitching Machine, p. 2 (an 1881 trade journal notice)

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  “This example has been completely restored”

  Curt’s chronology of the Bates line: Model A (circa 1930), Model B (circa 1931), Model B, revised (circa 1935), Model C (circa 1938), Model D (circa 1941).

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 25

  Make: Bates. Model: Model A. Information: Models B, and C are common. This Model A is a little harder to find. D is very hard.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 2

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  “Charles Tager was also known for his work on other stapler mechanisms, including the wire spool mechanism used in Bates B and C staplers”

  Curt’s chronology of the Bates line: Model A (circa 1930), Model B (circa 1931), Model B, revised (circa 1935), Model C (circa 1938), Model D (circa 1941).

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 25

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  “Charles Tager was also known for his work on other stapler mechanisms, including the wire spool mechanism used in Bates B and C staplers”

  Curt’s chronology of the Bates line: Model A (circa 1930), Model B (circa 1931), Model B, revised (circa 1935), Model C (circa 1938), Model D (circa 1941).

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 25

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  “Charles Tager was also known for his work on other stapler mechanisms, including the wire spool mechanism used in Bates B and C staplers”

  The Model C continued to be manufactured after the war; the Model D followed it in circa 1941, approximately three years after the debut of the Bates Model C.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 24

  Curt’s chronology of the Bates line: Model A (circa 1930), Model B (circa 1931), Model B, revised (circa 1935), Model C (circa 1938), Model D (circa 1941).

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 25

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  Among Bates’ stapling machines, none has generated more speculation—or remained more elusive—than the Bates Wire Stapler, Model D.

  The Model D was introduced in circa 1941, approximately three years after the debut of the Bates Model C. … Unlike the Model C, which continued to be manufactured after the war, the Model D disappeared quickly and was never reintroduced.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 24

  The Model D remains a historical outlier: rare, poorly documented, and short-lived. Its survival in only a handful of known examples elevates it from mere tool to artifact.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 25

  Of the Bates models: “Models B, and C are common. This Model A is a little harder to find. D is very hard.”

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 2

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  Make: Bostitch. Model: AO. Made by: Boston Wire Stitcher Company, East Greenwich, RI. Information: Introduced in 1914.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 2

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  Make: Champion. Model: Desk Top. Made by: Unknown. Information: circa 1940.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 3

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  Make: Crofoot. Model: Desk Top. Made by: J. B. Crofoot Company, Chicago, Illinois. Information: Circa 1917.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 4

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  Make: Eveready. Model: D. Made by: Eveready MFG. Co. Information: Excellent display piece.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 5

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  “Model B (1919): Patented in 1918 and sold in 1919, the Model B refined the feeding dog and added the two-position anvil, marking the first known stapler with this capability.”

  Make: Greenfield. Model: Desk Model. Made by: Greenfield MFG. Co., New York, NY. Information: Invented by Edwin T. Greenfield.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 6

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  Make: Keyes. Model: Hand Held. Made by: NY Carbon & Transfer Paper Co. Information: Circa 1896.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 8

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  “The Krantz Mfg. Company only produced the machine for a very short time. This machine is serial number 001589”

  Make: Krantz. Model: Desk Top. Made by: Krantz MFG. Co. Information: circa 1933.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 8

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  “Invented by Henry R. Heyl (One of two seen in the last 10 years)”

  Henry R. Heyl of Philadelphia, whose invention, commonly referred to as the “Original Fastener,” predates the widespread commercial success of later stapling devices such as the McGill Paper Fastener … one of the earliest known machines designed specifically to insert metal fasteners into paper.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 65

  A notable characteristic of the Original Fastener was its loading orientation. The fastener was positioned facing upward within the mechanism, requiring careful placement by the user. When actuated, the device drove the fastener downward through the paper.

  Surviving examples of the Original Fastener are extremely rare. Only a handful are known to exist in museum collections and private hands.

  Staplers and Paper Fasteners, p. 66

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  “This stapler was evidence in the law suit brought against Staples by Accentra, Inc. Both companies developed staplers based on this 1939 machine. The action went all the way to the California Supreme Court. The case took my stapler away from the collection for 5 years. The law firm asked to borrow it for a second suit. I said "No". I love all of the evidence tags.”

  Make: Duo Fast. Model: Trigger Action Stapler. Made by: Fastener Corporation. Information: Invented by Edward Krantz, 1939.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 5

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  Make: Hercules. Model: Desk Model. Made by: The American Die And Tool Corp., Chicago, Illinois. Information: Hans C. Stockel.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 6

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  “1910 - First shipment of the Hotchkiss Fastener to Japan (with no word to identify a paper fastener, the Japanese adopt the name “Hotchkiss”. Shortly after, Japan occupies Korea and again, “Hotchkiss” becomes the word to describe the fastener in that country)”

  The Hotchkiss Automatic Paper Fastener, No. 1. Price $1.50.

  Uses a single strip, on which there are 25 staples … a single blow will suffice to drive it through 1 to 25 sheets of paper, and with the same movement, feed forward the next staple.

  It is made of the very best tool steel, chilled and hardened to the highest degree.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 20 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

  Make: Hotchkiss. Model: 1. Made by: E.H. Hotchkiss Sales Co., Norwalk, Connecticut. Information: Circa 1901.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 7

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  The Hotchkiss Automatic Paper Fastener, No. 2. Price $4.00, for fastening the equivalent of 50 sheets of ordinary paper.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 20 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

  The No. 2 is handsome and elegant in design, is made of the very finest tool steel obtainable … a valuable accessory of every counting house and factory.

  When pressing the lever down on the material to be fastened, it separates, drives, and clinches the staple at one stroke.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 21 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

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  The Hotchkiss Automatic Paper Fastener, No. 3. Price $3.00.

  Built to take the place of the Giant Star Machine … a special staple made for it, packed 1000 in a box. The new No. 3 has more than double the capacity of the Hotchkiss No. 1.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 21 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

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  The Hotchkiss Automatic Paper Fastener, No. 4. Price $2.00.

  Uses a strip of fifty staples, and will put together from two to thirty sheets of average paper … does not require recharging so often as the Hotchkiss No. 1. Staples come packed 1,000 to a box, of nickel steel, that will not rust or tarnish.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 22 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

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  The Hotchkiss Automatic Tag Machine. Price $1.50.

  Not for fastening papers together, but for putting tags or shipping cards on boxes, barrels, crates, cars, etc., and easily drives a staple or double tack into the hardest wood, or through tin.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 22 (from an early 1900s Hotchkiss brochure)

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  “This model and others were made of inferior material. Sometimes referred to as white metal, it had a tendency to break down in time. This is one of those examples”

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  Roy E. Peterson is the designer of the Zephyr.

  Fridolin Polzer was the dominant force behind the fasteners with dozens of patents in his name over a twenty-year period for design and improvements. His involvement is documented from at least the period of 1925 through 1939.

  E.H. Hotchkiss, p. 23

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  “Today, the Hotchkiss Aristocrat is widely regarded as one of the most desirable and collectible staplers ever produced. With fewer than a dozen documented examples presently known in museums and private collections, it may also rank among the rarest American production staplers ever manufactured.”

  Introduced in 1937, the Hotchkiss Aristocrat Model H-31 … enclosed its working parts within a sleek molded housing that transformed a utilitarian office machine into a sculptural object.

  The machine measured approximately: length 7½ inches, width 2 11/16 inches, height 2 3/8 inches.

  Designers: Lester L. Wheeler (artist, inventor, and Hotchkiss designer), William H. Gref, and Orlo Heller of Bortic Studios. The stapling mechanism was manufactured by the E.H. Hotchkiss Company; the plastic housing by the Plastic Turning Company.

  Protected by United States Patent No. 2,139,342, Staple Driving Machine: filed July 31, 1937; granted December 6, 1938; inventor Lester L. Wheeler.

  Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler, p. 3

  The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, owns an Aristocrat dated 1937 (Accession 87.214). The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses an example credited to Lester L. Wheeler, William H. Gref, and Orlo Heller.

  Current evidence suggests that fewer than twelve examples are presently documented in museum collections and private ownership. Among known examples are staplers associated with the Yale University Art Gallery, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Minneapolis Institute of Art … and the Antique and Vintage Office Museum Collection by Curtis A. Scaglione.

  Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler, p. 5

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  Listed under "Hotchkiss" Office Stapling Machines: 20 "Director" Machine, list price $7.50.

  E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (Dealer's Price List No. 115, January 4, 1956), p. 4

  Hotchkiss Ready Reference Sheet: 20 Director-Stapler & Tacker. Height 3½", length 8¼", net weight 30 oz., stapling range 4".

  Staples to be used: Standard Com'l, 1A CP (¼" leg, .019 wire; CP is chisel point).

  E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (Dealer's Price List No. 115, January 4, 1956), p. 8

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  Make: Hutchison. Model: Spool-O-Wire. Made by: Automatic Sharpener Co., Chicago, Illinois. Information: Circa 1919.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 7

  Make: Remington. Model: Spool O Wire. Made by: Remington Typewriter Company. Information: Bought out Spool O Wire Company.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 11

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  The New Irvin as a Retail Merchandising Opportunity … “The Executive’s Right Hand Helper”—should be on every desk.

  Most important of these improvements is the new sleeve device which fits around the moving staple and guides it straight without clogging. The adjustable cutting die with six cutting edges gives the machine six times longer life.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 79 (a 1922 Alex. H. Irvin Company advertisement)

  Make: Irvin. Model: Desk Model. Made by: Alex H. Irvin Co., Curwensville, Pennsylvania. Information: Also known as the New Irvin.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 7

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  “Patented on June 8, 1937, this heavy duty stapler was considered a serious work horse.”

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  Make: Markwell. Model: S-O Bro / Staple Mate. Made by: Markwell. Information: An uncommon model.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 9

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  Make: Monarch. Model: Desk Top. Made by: believed to be early Hercules. Information: Circa 1945.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 10

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  Make: Neva-Clog. Made by: Neva-Clog Products, Inc., Bridgeport, Connecticut. (The register pictures their stapling pliers, circa 1936.)

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 10

  Industrial wire staples still sold in 1956 for the Neva-Clog Models D30, D40, D40X, J30 (stock number J170).

  E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (Dealer's Price List No. 115, January 4, 1956), p. 4

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  Make: Novelty. Model: Paper Fastener. Made by: P.N. MFG. Co. Information: Circa 1879.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 11

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  Make: Star. Made by: E.H. Hotchkiss Sales Co. Information: Hotchkiss maintained the Star name from the 1896 purchase.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 12

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  Hotchkiss maintained the Star name from the 1896 purchase.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 12

  Listed under "Hotchkiss" Office Stapling Machines: 57 Plier, list price $4.75.

  E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (Dealer's Price List No. 115, January 4, 1956), p. 4

  Hotchkiss Ready Reference Sheet: 57 Plier. Height 2¾", length 5¾", net weight 8 oz., stapling range 1½". Staples: 57 ⅛" CP.

  E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (Dealer's Price List No. 115, January 4, 1956), p. 8

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  Originally the Parrot Speed Fastener Company, the company’s first manufacturing facility was opened in 1931, and in 1939 the corporation changed its name to Speed Products. In 1956 the company became Swingline, which was also the name of their most popular line of staplers.

  Society, p. 12

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  Make: Supreme. Model: Desk Top. Made by: H.C. Stockel. Information: Circa 1937.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 13

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  Tatum Aluminum Stapler. It staples … it pins … it tacks. Uses Tatum or other standard staples.

  Easy, fast loading. Extra penetrating power. Light in weight. Balanced for stability. Working parts of hardened steel.

  Smartness of design that harmonizes with desk appointments in the office or the home. Two full strips (420) Tatum staples included with each stapler.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 77 (a period Tatum advertisement)

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  Make: Victor. Model: Desk Top. Made by: E.W. Carpenter MFG Co., Bridgeport, Connecticut. Information: Invented by J.T. Kilbride, 1937.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 14

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  Make: Simplex. Model: Desk Top. Made by: Worcester, Mass. Information: Patent Pending.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 12

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  Yarger Staple Binder No. 4: Binds 1 to 50 sheets of ordinary paper. Holds one hundred and twenty five staples at a charge. Does not clog because one staple must be driven before another can enter. No adjustment. Feeds automatically. Machine is japanned. Knob and ring nickel plated.

  Price $3.00. Staples used on No. 4: No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6, 5000 per box, $1.25.

  Samuel J. Yarger Staple Binders, p. 2

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  “Many collectors mistakenly called his machines the “Yarger” after S.J. Yarger who was the sole distributor for Brown's earlier fasteners.”

  “The Acme staple Co. and the Yarger Mfg. Co. manufactured the same stapler for several years and had common interest for several years”

  Yarger Breech Loader Binder No. 5: Binds from 1 to 50 sheets of paper with wire staples. Holds 1000 staples as a charge.

  Price $3.00. Staples used: C, D, E, per box of 1000, $.50.

  Samuel J. Yarger Staple Binders, p. 2

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  Hercules Staple Binder No. 6: For hand power or treadle. Similar to the Breech Loader and binds 2 sheets up to 70 sheets of ordinary paper. Staples can be inserted 3 inches from margin.

  Price $10.00. Staples used: F, G, H, 5000 per box, $1.25.

  Samuel J. Yarger Staple Binders, p. 3

Hole Punches

Hole punches have been around since the early 1870's therefore, we have a great selection of antique and vintage machines for review and examination. Many machines produced today are based on designs dating to 1912. Today, we refer to this office machine as a hole punch. During the period dating from 1874 to the 1930s these machines were known as paper punch, hole punchers, perforators, or paper perforators. There was no real standard for a machine that punched holds in paper. In 1882 James Shannon filed for a patent for his paper file. While the patent is for a complete paper file, his patent described the paper punch that was part of his invention. After reviewing the patent one is left wondering if he was at a loss as to what to call his hole punch. As a result, his invention is overlooked by many and the credit for the invention of the hole punch has been credited to someone else.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Hole Punches

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  “The Ambart was said to replace seven or more punches.”

  “The Ambart is made entirely of iron and steel and is set on an oak base, which forms a box to catch the punchings.”

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Eyelet Machines

When you talk about paper fasteners, the conversation must start with the eyelet press or as they were called back in the day, the eyelet machine. One of the first questions asked by stapler collectors is, when was the first stapler made? That is followed by, what was used to fasten documents together before the stapler was invented? The answer is, the eyelett press, and the first one was invented and marketed in 1854. This device was popular with the legal profession and notaries as the eyelet were considered a permanent fastener and documents could not be separated easily. These machines could be found in tabletop models, table mounted models and handheld models.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Eyelet Machines

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  “It represented an advancement in automation in that it used strips of eyelets rather than requiring the operator to insert individual eyelets one at a time.”

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  “The eyelet machine as a standardized marketplace product dates to 1854, when Hymen Lipman invented and marketed the first eyelet press.”

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  “Indications are that the machine was produced and marketed by the Tengwall File and Ledger Company. The Temple Hole Punch was advertised in Tengwall Talks, the monthly Tengwell sales magazine, in 1902.”

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  “The machine’s helmet (top casting) is marked with: “Steinmetz” “Philadelphia” “Pat April 17, 1860” indicating both the inventor and patent date.”

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  “Lipman later marketed his own version of a similar eyelet machine in 1886, after the Steinmetz patent expired.”

Percussion Presses

The biggest majority of paper fastener punches were manufactured by McGill. The second largest manufacturer was the Novelty Mfg. Co. out of Philidelphia, PA. . Today, The machines are nothing but a memory for some and unknown as to their purpose to others. These 19th century and early 20th century designs are what you would expect of the era and they did play an important part in the story of the paper fatsener..

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Percussion Presses

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  “George W. McGill produced my favorite hole punch and received his patent on May 26, 1874 (US Patent 151236) and went on to produce several other model after that.”

  “It would be impossible to have a collection of hole punches without having a McGill included in it.”

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  “This Paper Punch was the invention of John F. Brown assignor to Albert R. Baker of Indianapolis, Indiana, no doubt of BAKER & VAWTER CO. Chicago, Illinois.”

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  Make: McGill. Model: Single Stroke Staple Press. Made by: George W. McGill. Information: Circa 1879.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 9

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  Make: McGill. Model: Single Stroke Staple Press. Made by: George W. McGill. Information: Circa 1879.

  Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners, p. 9

European Machines

As a serious collector, there is no way I can appreciate American made office appliances without holding the same feelings of appreciation for appliances made in other countries. The United Kingdom, Germany and France all have made absolutely beautiful examples and I have been fortunate to add several to this collection. My biggest regret is that it is difficult to get some of the finer examples out of European countries. Purhaps, one day, I will find a fellow collector willing to be my agent in aquiring some of these machines.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for European Machines

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  “The Roneo brand was so ubiquitous in Britain that the term “Roneo machine” became a generic term in the English language for a stencil duplicator.”

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  Roneo: Circa 1907 – 1930.

  Manufacturer: Roneo Limited (head office at 17 Southampton Row, London, WC1; factory later established in Romford).

  Approximate Dates: 1907–1930s (The company changed its name to Roneo Ltd. in 1907 and produced a full range of office equipment during this period). The company acquired British Neopost Ltd. in 1930, after which products often carried the Roneo-Neopost name.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 10 (dates the Roneo brand; the section is about Roneo perforators, not the pencil sharpener specifically)

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  Roneo: Circa 1907 – 1930.

  Manufacturer: Roneo Limited (head office at 17 Southampton Row, London, WC1; factory later established in Romford).

  Approximate Dates: 1907–1930s (The company changed its name to Roneo Ltd. in 1907 and produced a full range of office equipment during this period). The company acquired British Neopost Ltd. in 1930, after which products often carried the Roneo-Neopost name.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 10

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  Advance Systems: Circa 1915 – 1925.

  If the item is marked as a "UK Punch" or from "Advance Systems," it may be a private label or a less-documented regional brand.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 4

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  Lamson Paragon: Circa 1880 – 1930.

  Manufacturer: Lamson Paragon Supply Co. (London, England). Formed in the 1880s, this company was a giant in British office systems.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 8

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  Adapta: Circa 1910–1940s.

  This brand name referred to the "adaptable" nature of the tool, specifically featuring adjustable punch heads to accommodate various binder sizes.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 3

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  Wasp: Circa 1910 – 1915.

  The "Wasp" was a smaller, more specialized British brand of paper perforator.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 12

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Ink Stands and Inkwells

Patents show us that ink stands and ink wells have been with us for centuries. For as long as there has been the written word, there has been ink to put it down on paper. The history appears to be well documented on the internet therefore, I will not reinvent the wheel. TodayThese 19th century and early 20th century designs are what you would expect of the era and they did play an important part in the story of the Inkstand.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Ink Stands and Inkwells

Clip Boards

The earilest form of a clip board dates to the 1870's and was called the Emerson Clip & File. You can only imagine what Mr. Emerson went through in trying to determine a name for his new office device. Many machines were manufactured that worked on the same principle, holding document, receipts, bills and letter together in a temporary fashion until you could decide what to do with them. The development of clip boards really took off in the 1890's and improvements followed. Many machines were called Clip and Files, Temporary Files, Arch Files and Clip Boards

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Clip Boards

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  The Shannon: Circa 1880 – 1920.

  Manufacturer: Shannon Ltd. (London, England).

  Description: James Shannon patented a complete paper filing system in 1882, which included a specialized two-hole punch designed for his "Shannon File".

  Approximate Dates: 1880s–1920s. The brand was a cornerstone of British office organization during the turn of the century.

  Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (ckbg), p. 10

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Paper Clips

We call them paper clips, but years ago they went by other names. In 1845 an inventor named Whitehouse called them letter clips or bill clips. These office tools have been with up since at least 1845 and not much has changed in their design and purpose. The development of paper clips really took off in the early 1900's with very little change from the original design.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Paper Clips

Bill Spikes

Bill Spikes, also known as Spindles and sometimes even, Temporary Files have been found on the office desk since the mid to late 1800's. They had their place in the office and suprising, still do. New reproductions can be found today.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Bill Spikes

Hand Stamps

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Hand Stamps

Account Files

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Account Files

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  Amberg ... These cabinets are well known under the name of Amberg's Imperial Cabinet and consist of vertical and sectional and a number of incidental specialties.

  The Amberg File & Index Co., Chicago and New York.

  Tools of Business 1905 (blav), reader p. 76 (printed p. 75)

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  Amberg ... These cabinets are well known under the name of Amberg's Imperial Cabinet and consist of vertical and sectional and a number of incidental specialties.

  The Amberg File & Index Co., Chicago and New York.

  Tools of Business 1905 (blav), reader p. 76 (printed p. 75) (names the maker; which Amberg item this is decides the exact date)

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  Amberg ... These cabinets are well known under the name of Amberg's Imperial Cabinet and consist of vertical and sectional and a number of incidental specialties.

  The Amberg File & Index Co., Chicago and New York.

  Tools of Business 1905 (blav), reader p. 76 (printed p. 75) (names the maker; which Amberg item this is decides the exact date)

Other Office Appliances

Yes, even we get a supprise every now and again. Office appliances can come in many forms. It is easy to over look many devices as they serve such a small part in the operation of the office.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Other Office Appliances

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  “Patent 228,874 was related to as a Machine for Binding Books with wire staples and in the description was also purposed to fasten documents together.”

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The Hollerith Tabulating Machine

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for The Hollerith Tabulating Machine

Adding Machines

Adding Machines were never an interested to this curator until this Quixsum Adding Machine was introduced to me. This appliance was not cheap by any means. When produced it sold for $60.00 which was a great deal of money in 1924. After seeing just a photo of it, my mind had been made up, I had to have it in the museum.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Adding Machines

Museum Banners

These custom designed banner were created for the museum in place of wall art. They were sent to a print shop and each made into a 4'x4' banner. all are my creations.

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for Museum Banners

The Exhibition Hall

See this gallery in the 3D museum · Curt’s page for The Exhibition Hall

The Library

Curt’s books and catalogues, to read page by page in the museum’s Library or as PDFs.

• Fastener History: Fact, Fiction, and Folklore (PDF)
• The Hole Punch as a Collectible (PDF)
• The E. H. Hotchkiss Company (and the family behind it) (PDF)
• The Sam'l C. Tatum Co., Catalog Number 27 (PDF)
• Tengwall File & Ledger Company Punches (PDF)
• Vintage Electric Staplers (Second Edition) (PDF)

Curt’s bookcase: 41 books, read in the museum

“Created to accent officemuseum.online, this selection of booklets represent a small portion of my work on the subject of antique and vintage office machines. Other catalogs have been selected and presented for the enjoyment of my fellow collectors.”

• Screw Driven Seal Preess (21 pages). This was made circa 1820 with the purpose of placing a wax seal on documents. first page
• Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler (16 pages). This is the story of the Hotchkiss Aristocrat Stapler. I attempted to tract the complete store as it is precented to us on line and with the help others. this information is helpful to all in learning the history. first page
• Sieber & Trussell Mfg. Co. (22 pages). With the help from AI we created catalog of all S&T Hole Punches that we were able to find. This data was extremely hard to find as it would appear most of this information has been lost to time. first page
• The Office Machine Collector (21 pages). Who and why we collect first page
• The U.S. Army and the Typewriter (9 pages). After many hours of research this book came to be after good through countless documents. This research predates the internet. first page
• Antique and Vintage United Kingdom Hole Punches (13 pages). Hole punches and perforators that were produced in the United Kingdom first page
• The History of the Eyelet Machine (50 pages). Eyelet Machines from the 1854's. This indept reviews explains the Eyeleter. first page
• The Sam'l C. Tatum Company (32 pages). 2nd Edition. This edition has more information about the leaders of the company. first page
• Staplers and Paper Fasteners (132 pages). Antique and Vintage Staplers and Paper Fasteners dating from 1880's to the 1960's. first page
• The Hole Truth (128 pages). The history of the hole punch first page
• Perforator (68 pages). first page
• Eyelet Machines 2020 (34 pages). first page
• Antique and Vintage Eyelet Press (54 pages). A collection of antique and vintage eyelet presses first page
• Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners (112 pages). The first book about antique and vintage paper fasteners first page
• Vintage Electric Staplers (2d Edition) (26 pages). The first book about the invention and distribution of the electric stapler. first page
• Society (17 pages). The first book to bring attention to the men and women who brought the paper fasteners to the desk of every office and home, first page
• The Many Contributions of Walter S. Mendenhall for the Sam'l C. Tatum Company (26 pages). Walter Mendenhall invented many tool and office appliances that the Tatum Company Produced. first page
• E.H. Hotchkiss (39 pages). first page
• Automatic Wire Stitching Machine (33 pages). One of the earliest staplers ever manufactured. This example dates to 1880 and has a serial number of 454. A beautiful example first page
• Krimpit (24 pages). Krimpit, the early machine designed to crimp papers together rather than stapling. first page
• tengwall (12 pages). Tengwall Hole Punch first page
• Yarger (9 pages). Yarger Mfg Company and the Brown Staple Company first page
• STOLZENBERG (22 pages). The Stolzenberg Perforator is one of the finest perforators manufactured in the United Kingdom. Finding literature on this machine has been next to impossible so I created a catalog from the information found. first page
• Elli Buk Collection of Office Machines (12 pages). Ellie Buk's office appliances that were auctioned after is passing first page
• Seal Presses (117 pages). History of the Seal Press first page
• 1887 Remington Typewriter Catalog (53 pages). This a clean copy with all marks and blemishes removed. Staple hole have all been removed. Overall, this 1887 Remington Catalog looks very good. first page
• McGill's Fastener 1880 Catalog (24 pages). Found in the pages of a lawsuit brought by George W. McGill against his manufactures of his office appliance, this catalog was extracted from the documents, cleans and organized into this pdf. first page
• Samuel C. Tatum Hole Punch Catalog No. 32 1915 (49 pages). Hole Punches, Paper Drills and Perforators. first page
• Weeks Manufacturing Company (137 pages). Weeks Mfg. Co. 1912 Catalog first page
• Tools of Business 1905 (213 pages). first page
• Lotz, Abbott and Company, LTD Catalog (31 pages). McGills machines are the primary source first page
• Swingline Catalog (21 pages). A complete catalog of all model available in 1963-1964 first page
• E. H. Hotchkiss Company Catalog (8 pages). Dealer's Price List first page
• Windle & Blyth (34 pages). Windle & Blyth Catalog Circa 1880 first page
• Illustrated Catalog of the Library Bureau 1894 (184 pages). Catalog with illustrations first page
• Gibson & Perin Catalog (18 pages). first page
• Judd Catalog 1913 (24 pages). first page
• Y & E Filing Systems (111 pages). Complete catalog from 1910 in flip book format. first page
• Globe Catalog 1908 (103 pages). first page
• Globe-Wernicke Office Accessories (103 pages). 1921 Globe-Wernicke catalog for office supplies and accessories first page
• Sam'l C. Tatum Catalog No. 34 (55 pages). Nice example although not complete or in the exact order as the original. Unfortunately, this is the best I am able to obtain. Plenty of good information. first page