Ooh, look what came in the mail today! This is a book I’ve been waiting a few months for, and it’s been very much worth the wait. I wrote a bit about this project before, when I’d seen an earlier, incomplete version of the manuscript, and I was quite excited about it then. Now that I’ve read the completed, published edition, I’m very excited about future volumes of this series.
That might seem like an unwieldy title for a 79 page book, but you can trust me when I say that the title is a very exact description of the contents therein. I myself am not a Hotchkiss stapler collector, nor do I own any Hotchkiss machines at all except a German made No. 1 clone gifted to me by Mr. Parsons, but the thing that excites me about this book is that now, after reading over this volume a few times, I feel like I know quite a lot about the Hotchkiss company and the line of machines they manufactured. That’s really a new experience for me as a casual stapler collector – admittedly a hobby where there is very little really comprehensive reference documentation at all. For the first time, without ever having handled a Hotchkiss before, I have a good idea of what’s out there to be found, what models to look for, what staples each model takes, and roughly the ages and rarity of each model and variation.
Mmmmm, want!
And yes, I do have a target model of Hotchkiss on my want list, the stunningly Art Deco No. 101A Zephyr (or the Star Fastener variation, which is identical).
Not that I’m really likely to just happen across one in my thrifting trips, but a man can always dream, as long as he knows what to dream about.
There’s even some generalized information about staplers and staples, the sort of newbie collector questions like “what are the various types of staple folds (would you believe 5?) and the anatomy of a stapler along with what all the parts are called. You know, the sort of thing that should be in any comprehensive reference, but rarely is.
When I have a shelf full of these, how will I tell them apart? :D
About the only negative thing I could point out about the book is the lack of anything graphically interesting designed into the spine. It will sit on my shelf of reference volumes with a completely blank black spine, and when the future volumes on other manufacturers are written and released, there will be a certain lack of informative and decorative spines poking out of my bookshelf. I mourn a small opportunity wasted, but at least it’s a very minor issue.
So what’s next in the series? Having obtained my first real comprehensive reference for a line of staplers, I find myself hungry for more. There are definitely more volumes coming on other manufacturers, but Mr. Parsons hasn’t let on which is next in line. I hope for volumes on some of the more casually collected lines like Ace or Swingline next – staplers that are easy to find and yet are in dire need of a full catalog reckoning. That’s just my own desire, though – could be that the next volume will be on some fastener line I haven’t even heard of yet, and that’d be fine as well, judging from the satisfaction I’ve gotten from the Hotchkiss volume. The real goal for this sort of reference is to enlighten the interested collector in what is out there in the world for them to lust after and search for, and Frank Parson’s project is certainly the best effort I’ve seen to produce that information for the admittedly niche underground stapler collecting scene. Can’t wait for the next one! (:
I hope you also saw page iii. The right reverend doesn’t mention this but he was a major influence on how this book turned out. Thank you for the awesome write-up!
The plain black spine is a stupid Amazon thing. They are absolutely draconian with their design allowances and my book was literally about 10 pages too short for them to allow a design of any kind on the spine.
I’m going to announce it here first, but the next volume will be [drum roll] on Neva-Clog. I’ve learned a lot from the publishing of volume 1 and I hope to produce an even better reference in volume 2. I’ve done some preliminary work on vol 2 and have a lot more to do but keep your eyes peeled!
Ooh, excellent – I’ve been curious about Neva-Clog, though I’ve not yet encountered one in the wild. Just make sure you get enough pages in there for a spine print. :D
Joe wants one on the Bates fasteners, looks like. I think he got hooked by one of the guys that came to his last type-in, who had a whole set of them. They made a neat video on the subject here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSM_f-jE_w
Very cool video! He forgot the model D though! Most folks don’t realize just how many different types of paper fasteners there were in the late 19th/early 20th century. The Bates wire fasteners are cool, but you also have ones like the Ever Ready steel tape fasteners and the pin stapling tool (a personal favorite) just to name a couple. While I’m knee-deep working on Neva Clog volume 2 I’d welcome any ideas for volume 3 for anyone that cares to make a suggestion.
also the DeBarth hot-rodded Bates wire staplers, which will someday be of interest to collectors I’m sure. (:
which reminds me, I have a box of Neva-clog DJ-340 staples I should send you. undoubtedly not rare, but I have little use for them..
I’m not too proud to accept donations :)
As for the debarth’s, I’d love to get my hands on one!
Dang, another hobby into which I can fall down the rabbit hole. Hopefully there will be a book on the wire staplers.
Looks like a neat book. I don’t collect staplers. Doubt I ever will; too much other stuff.
Reverend Munk,
I came across a Swingline #13 today and thought it would be a handsome accessory to put on my
desk next to my 1940 Underwood Champion. The stapler is likely from the 1950’s, but the
chrome did me in and I had to have it. $5.00 cash was all it took. However, I can’t figure out how
to open the staple drawer and load her up. As a man of staplers, I thought I’d best inquire if you
were in a position to guide me. Would you happen to know how or possibly have a copy of the
users manual? I’m so anxious to staple some papers! Thanks for any insights you may be able
to provide.
Best,
David
Well, I haven’t got a Swingline #13, but a quick googlin’ tells me what it looks like, and from this:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7JcAAOSwnH1WZEdX/s-l300.jpg
I would guess you pull on those chromed wings all the way out the back and lift up. Then insert the staples in the track and snap the follower back in same way it came out.
I have a box of old staplers, staples and other old office aids, I’ll go up to the attic and locate the box and see if I may have one – I’ll post again if so….
Hi there, are you still looking for a Zephyr stapler? I found one at an estate sale this weekend. It’s a little worn but wow what a cool looking stapler. I was trying to get any info on it to try and sell it. (I’m having a hard time opening it to load staples.)