Stapler of the Week Archive- Apsco 2002

APSCO 2002 chrome and black finish

The APSCO 2002 is yet another interesting example of the international lines of stapler manufacture. APSCO, or the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company, was known, as its name suggests, for its line of pencil sharpeners*. Staplers appeared to be a sideline. The brochure detail below mentions the 2002 's manufacture from "Swedish steel" and leads me to believe it was actually manufactured by Isaberg-Rapid. The Rapid Classic 2 is identical in design as I'm sure there are many others (including the Rexel No 560 Beaver, featured February 7, 2008). The 2002 also bears the inscription TORONTO, ONT, CAN. I haven't found any APSCO-Canada connection yet.

detail from 1953 "The APSCO Line" brochure
found at Leadholder, the online drafting pencil museum

* It's main sharpener competitor was the Boston Specialty Corporation. There were many manufacturers as shown in the Early Office Museum's mechanical pencil sharpener gallery, but APSCO and Boston seemed to come out on top. APSCO was first absorbed into the Berol Corporation in 1969 and Berol was in turn absorbed by the Sanford Corporation in 1995.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 14, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Elastic Juwel

Elastic Juwel chrome finish

The Elastic Juwel is yet another fine stapler of German origin. It's also a fine example of the blurred lines of stapler design. The Isaberg Rapid Juwel first caught my attention. I don't have a modern example but when I found this Juwel, I was excited to acquire my an early version. When I received it in the mail, I was puzzled because it so closely resembles the Hotchkiss No. 54, right down to the numeral 54 imprinted on its nose. I examined the No. 54 more closely and found it bears the imprint, "U.S.A. PAT MADE IN GERMANY." It was at this point I realized, "German, not Swedish." The Goethe-Institut lists the Elastic Juwel as a "Monument of German Design," and that the "Swedish staple company Isaberg Rapid liked it so much that it bought Mainz Elastic GmbH in February and shifted production to Sweden." The U.S.A. patent lists Fridolin Polzer, an Austrian-American, as the designer of the No. 54. I don't know if Polzer's No 54 preceded the Elastic Juwel but the Goethe-Institut got it right, these pliers really are Monuments of Stapler Design.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 6, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 3P

Swingline 3P grey finish

Swingline 3P grey finish

The Swingline 3P has always interested me. When I finally acquired one, I was surprised at its size, only about 4 by 3 inches. When one considers the necessity of it fitting in the palm of one's hand, the 3P's size isn't at all surprising. It's basic design is taken from the Swingline 3 with the plunger action being driven by a lever which contacts the palm. It can be opened for tacking with the lever at the back of the throat. The 3P uses the same staples as the No. 3. I'm going to hazard a guess that the "P" stands for plier but the difference in size makes me hesitate to say the 3P the plier version of the No.3. I'm sure I'll find the answer but couldn't wait to feature this great stapler.

Swingline 3P box

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 1, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog D-30

Neva Clog D-30 brushed metal finish

It is with great pleasure that I share with you my Neva Clog D-30. I can't tell you how long I've wanted this stapler and the sold price listed at DecoWorld.com led me to believe it was somewhat out of my reach. Fortunately, I found a much less expensive, yet less pristine example.

Patents for this stapler (2087242 and 2041523) list the inventor as Earl C. Bunnell (born c.1895, died 1958). Bunnell was an industrial designer and held a variety of patents for items such as a safety razor, an eyelash applicator, a smoking pipe and one for a machine which manufactures Q-Tips. He also holds one patent for the J-30 (2088404). One will note a variation in the plunger knob between this example and the D-30 presented by the Office Museum.

detail from Earl C. Bunnell patent 2,041,523 Stapling Device

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, July 22, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Bostitch P-1

Bostitch P-1 black finish steel

The Bostitch P-1 fits neatly in the palm of my hand with my pinkie finger inserted in the finger grip. It took me a while to understand how to load the stapler. It turns out to be a front loading stapler as the rest of the stapler and its mechanism is concealed within the casing. The handles of the plier stapler have also been contained, making the P-1 remarkably compact tool.

Designed by John F. Cavanagh in 1933, the P-1 was described as a "pocket fastener-applying implement." Cavanagh had such an eye for compactness that the designs allowed the finger grip to be folded up into the casing when not in use. This example does not have that capability yet it loses no favor in my eyes.

detail of J.F. Cavanagh patent 1,994,567 Pocket Fastener Applying Implement

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, May 24, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog Junior

Neva Clog Junior chrome finish, made in Germany

This was a Neva Clog model I didn't know existed. I was excited when I came across it grouped in an auction lot with a Sargent & Co wire cutter and a W Schollhorn Co eyelet setter. Of course, I was doubly excited when these items introduced me to an additional world of tools. But, don't worry, my stapler budget does not allow me to branch out into the cut-throat world of tool collectors.

The Junior only adds to the mysterious German origin of some Neva Clog staplers. It's design is similar to the German B-100 featured in the Stapler of the Week on February 7, 2008. The Junior jaw opening places it in the same category as the S-100 series. I'm uncertain for what intended use such a model was designed. The shorter handles decrease it's stapling leverage and, as a result, sheet or stapled-material capacity. Once again, the Neva Clog saga continues.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Markwell MP4

Markwell MP4 plier stapler grey painted steel

Markwell P4C Staples box (containing approximately 4700 staples)

This particular example was found at the Bethesda Thrift Shop by my Mother. The stapler and the nearly full box of staples came to a grand total of $2. This was the price range I sought out when I first began collecting staplers. I originally gave myself a $15 price cap which would now make my stapler purchases few and far between. At any price, this plier stapler is a pristine example.

The box of staples provides a few items of interest. It lists the Markwell Manufacturing Company's address as 424 W 33rd Street, New York, N.Y.. A quick internet search shows Markwell's New York headquarters are now a "Premiere Boutique Office Building." There's no surprise the company's former Manhattan home has become prime real estate. The box also bears a price tag from the now defunct C.O.M.B. store. The acronym C.O.M.B. abbreviated Close-Out Merchandise Buyers. For some reason Minnesota has a rich history of direct-mail and television marketers such as Fingerhut and the CVN now absorbed by QVC.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, May 4, 2008.