Individual boxes of Dennison's Gummed Reinforcements and Gem Paper Clips. A 1937 Swingline #4 Stapler. An old chrome-plated Pointmaster Pencil Sharpener.
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but that only partially explains the demand for what could broadly be labeled "vintage office supplies." True, the designs of the objects and the graphics on their packaging represent the aesthetics of their times, but they may also satisfy some not-as-yet-explained objective standards of aesthetic attraction. In addition, many of these products exhibit genuine ingenuity while tracing the history of changing business practices. Nostalgia, too, has a part to play.
As does price. With a few exceptions - like the best specimens of the rarest items and oddities like Sigma's Star Wars C-3PO Tape Dispenser (up to $300+!) - prices for the most part are surprisingly reasonable. Both casual and serious collectors are finding that they can easily add to their collections for almost nothing by scouring estate and rummage sales. Prices online are generally not much higher, but the selection is greater.
This effect, which we could call "the unrecognized collectible," is primarily due to a lag in awareness. Office supplies have been so abundantly present, that they are easily assessed as having little value. Most people think nothing of relegating unneeded supplies to the trash, or giving them away. As we transition to a "paperless" society (do you remember when the last time was that you used gummed reinforcements?), those artifacts that survive will probably increase in value.
In the meantime, though, there is a lot more action in promotional and novelty paper clips and pencil sharpeners. They're small, colorful, cute, and quite inexpensive. They are also being produced in such variety that collectors can specialize in, for example, a company logo, a cartoon character, or a sport. Die-cast miniatures (sharpeners) are especially popular. The originals from Spain are the most valuable, followed by those from Hong Kong.
Interested in learning more about these collectibles? Check out the resources listed below:
AntiqBuyer (link) - This commercial site has a useful Patent Date Chart.
The Bob Cantor Pencil Sharpener Collection (link) - A fun collection of souvenir and novelty sharpeners. Lots of nice pics!
Bizclips (Promotional Paper Clips) Blog (link) - One man's promotion of promotional paper clips.
Early Office Museum (link) - This online museum is a fount of information. Includes histories of all types of office equipment including pencil sharpeners and paper fasteners (staplers and clips). Check out their "Exhibits", and the page on Pencil Sharpener Imposters!
Old Staplers (The Anttique Stapler Collector's Website) (link) - Nice site offers a Stapler Patent Database Search, history, discussion of types of staplers, links, and more.
Sharpenking Die Cast Pencil Sharpener Collection (link) - Lots of nice pics of their 450-piece collection.
Stapler Exchange (link) - Curtis Scaglione's site offers histories of various stapler brands, links to manufacturers, a Bulletin Board, more. Especially helpful are the online editions (click on "New") of several of his books on antique and vintage fasteners!
Michele Alice is EcommerceBytes Update Contributing Editor. Michele is a freelance writer in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts. She collects books, science fiction memorabilia and more! Email her at makalice @ adelphia.net eBay ID: Malice9
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