Perforator

The

Hole Punch

Presented by

Curtis A. Scaglione

Copyright © 2017-2018 by Curtis Scaglione
All rights reserved. This book or any portion containing descriptions

and/or photographs may not be reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

INTRODUCTION

Found throughout offices and schoolrooms, the paper punch is a simple
device that allows for the creation of a hole in paper. The paper punch
has two main designs. The first is a small handheld device that punches
a single hole, while the second is a larger freestanding device that
punches two or more consecutively spaced holes, to allow for the
paper to fit into binders or folders.

The idea for a paper punch can be traced back to Benjamin Smith of
Massachusetts patent of 1885. It was a design quite like the handheld
devices of today and was created to mark a ticket as collected. For
convenience, the device also contained a compartment to collect the
paper droppings. Another paper punch can be attributed to John C.
Jensen who produced a desk top model which was patented in 1888.

From these American creations, other paper punches were created
throughout the world. Interestingly, these devices are not commonly
three-hole punches, but instead two or four. These international paper
punches were developed to accommodate the structural differences in
paper holders between the US and the rest of the world.

Over time, it was observed that the men and companies that produced
the paper punch wood change hands, either through buy outs or other
reasons. The companies and machines changed hands constantly.

The advancements in traditional hole punch remained small, as the
original designs were efficient and easy to create.

Today, paper punches are a commonly used office machine used
throughout the world. Although only small advancements have been
made since their original 1890s design, paper punches continue to be a
necessity for any student, teacher or office professional.

PREFACE

Here is a hobby that has a considerable amount of possibilities. The
pieces are easily found at yard sales, flea markets, on line and at
auctions. My experience thus far has been that it is rare for anyone to
bid against you when you are ready to pursue a machine and when
finding a desirable machine at a yard sale or flea market, it is unlikely
the seller is going to tell you that someone else is coming back for the
machine. It is likely that you are the only interested party.

In most cases, the selling price is quite manageable for those on a
budget and in many cases, the seller will negotiate with the buyer. Yes,
this is a case of the machines value is “fluid”. It is a great feeling to
know that you just bought a machine that was patented in 1890 and
that you just bought it for $25.00 or less.

Hole punches have been around since the 1880’s therefore, we have a
great selection of antique and vintage examples to choose from. The
development of punches really took off in the early 1900’s and
improvements followed.

Even now, some examples are proving to be more desirable than
others. The Globe No. 4 produced by Globe-Wernicke is one of those
machines that has a following of not only the punch collector, but by
collectors of the machine age. This machine appears to draw the most
interest from individuals wanted an old paper hole punch for the desk
or collection. Another example is the early examples of the Tengwell
which had a nicely scrolled plate and was mounted on a beautiful oak
base.

It is always interesting to find a machine that has a history or
provenance. Like fine works of art, provenance is of great importance,
especially to their owner. There are several reasons why provenance is

important. A good provenance increases the value of an antique, and
establishing provenance may help confirm the date or period of
manufacture. Establishing that the example was owned by a museum,
collector, or a company that had a substantial history of its own will
also add to its value.

Variants hold their own interest. You will find the same machine that
was produced by many different companies. Research has proven that
many company’s changes hands more than once during the century
and that the machine was never improved upon or only minor changes
took place, usually just the name of the machine or the manufacturers
name.

Even as a collector, it is unlikely that you will know any other collectors
of antique and vintage paper hole punches. Estimates at the point
would be very low for those very interested in the history, the different
machines, the inventors, and actively pursuing machines. Moderately
interested individuals would but occasionally a machine that meets
their personal preferences. And then we have the generally interested
who only want one or two for decorative purposes of looking for an
example to display at work or home.

The down side is information is extreme hard to find and requires an
investigative mind willing to go and search for data on each machine. In
almost every case, information is available, one must only search.

Curtis A. Scaglione

Manufacturer INDEX

ACCO Page
Ambart
American 36
Baker & Vewter 1, 36-38
Bates 1
Boorum & Pease 1-2
C.B. & F. Co. 2
Delmar 3, 39-41
Duplex 3
Elbe 3
Globe-Wernicke 4
Hayden 4
Heinn 4, 42
Krahn 4
LEFAX 42
McGill’s 5-6
Novelty 43
Orwig 6-7
Presto 7
Punch Rite 7
S. & T. 7
SACO 8
Samson 8, 44
Sieber 45
Swingline 8
Tatum 9
Temple 9
Tengwall 10, 46-51
Wilson Jones 10
Yawman and Erbe 10-11
11
11

Patents APPROVED PATENT Page

INVENTOR June 26, 1888 385,056 12
January 1, 1889 395,320 13
J.C. Jensen June 17, 1890 430,168 14
S.H. Fish October 3, 1899 634,304 15, 48
J.F. Brown July 16, 1901 678,577 16
W.S. Mendenhall December 3, 1901 687,906 17
W. Lukes February 11, 1902 695,082 18
E.L. Sibley August 5, 1902 708,279 19
F.W. Tobey August 16, 1903 736,614 49
H.S. Temple November 7, 1905 803,727 20
W.S. Mendenhall December 12, 1905 806,914 21
A. Tengwall January 7, 1913 1,049,676 22
W.P. Pitt January 3, 1928 1,655,315 23
H Cousins & J.W. Botsford May 8, 1928 1,669,344 24
C.A. Finley December 10, 1929 1,738,572 25
C.P. Moore October 3, 1950 2,524,582 26
A. Glaeser
J.A. Yerkes Page

Advertisements 27
27
Ambart 28
Sibley 29
S&T 29
Sieber 30
Tatum 31
Tatum 31
Temple
Tengwall 32-35, 52-53

Photographs

AMBART

The Ambart was the name of a hole punch developed by the Barrett Bindery Company out of
Chicago, Illinois.

Barrett stated their company was created in 1867 and the Ambart is
the result of forty years of experience.

The Ambart was said to replace seven or more punches. This was
accomplished by relocation the punch pins is any desired position.

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

AMERICAN

After several decades of research and development, The American Perforator Company
obtained corporation status in 1910. Under the guidance of its principle founders, Alfred Day
and Walter Lyman, the company established itself at 617-31 W. Jackson
Boulevard, on Chicago’s flourishing, industrial near the west side. The
company engaged in the fabrication of perforation seals to mark
documents, postage stamps, checks, and various other papers with
distinctive, but unalterable logos and personal signatures.

After World War II the American Perforator Company developed the first
portable, electric perforator, the Model 25. Still in use by many
companies today. The Model 25 was the forerunner of today’s Model 400. The first heavy-duty,
desk-top electric perforator, the Series Model 400 is in extensive use around the world.

BAKER & VAWTER

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.

The inventor applied for the patent on October 22, 1899 and after a brief
period, the patent was approved on June 17, 1890.

The patent number assigned was 430,168

Brown indicated that this invention is designed to provide a very simple
and inexpensive punching machine, whereby perforations may be made in the tops of letters,
bills, and other papers which are to be filed away in file cases or binders by threading them
upon wires or posts of such cases or binders.

Page 1

This particular example is made of cast iron and has a small plate on the front inscribed BAKER
& VAWTER CO. CHICAGO, ILL. PATENT PENDING

William Arthur Vawter, president of the Baker & Vawter Company, was
born at Lafayette, Indiana on May 22, 1858 and is a son of Achilles and
Elizabeth (Richardson) Vawter. He was educated in the schools of
Indiana and on September 24, 1881, married at Plainfield, Alice R.
Hadley and to them were born the following children: Cora C., William
A., and George H.

Starting at the age of 14, William learned the trade of compositor at
Indianapolis in the office of Wright, Baker & Company and in due time
became foreman of their composing room. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile business at
Plainfield, Ind.,

and later at Danville, continuing until 1886. In the latter year he came to Chicago and became a
partner in the

printing establishment of Baker, Vawter & Company. Two years later the firm was incorporated
under the name of Baker-Vawter Company.

William died on December 25, 1921 after a prolonged illness.

BATES

Edwin G. Bates of New York City obtained several United States patents for his numbering
machine from 1891 to 1901 and the patents were assigned to the
Bates Manufacturing Company. The earliest patent claimed a "new
and useful improvement in Consecutive-Numbering Machines",
indicating that Bates was not the originator of the idea. Bates'
objective was "generally to increase the effectiveness, simplicity and
compactness of machines of this general character". The Bates name
was also attributed to several stapler designs, some of which are
considered very collectible and a few hole punches that lack in any
real style or value. To display more than one Bates Hole Punch would
not contribute to a worthy collection.

General Binding Corporation (GBC) acquired Bates Manufacturing Company in 1993.

Page 2

BOORUM & PEASE

The Boorum and Pease Company has been around for well over a century. Along with hole
punches they produced many other office filing systems and also
managed to broker other machines and filing systems
manufactured for other companies.
Their production of hole punches has contributed to many
collection and display well for everyone from the most avid
collector to the novice.
Like so many of the other producers of hole punches, B & P has changed ownership so many
times, either buying or being bought, that it is not worth pursuing. All that is important is that
they did produce some beautiful machines.

C.B. & F.

Chicago Binder and File Company was one of many companies
in the Chicago area producing and marketing binders, files and
filing equipment, such as hole punches and perforators of all
types.
Their logo was, Big enough to handle your orders with accuracy
and despatch – to furnish the kind of merchandise you can sell
at prices that provide for your profit. Small enough to be eager
for your business and ready to do everything we can
consistently to further your interest.

DELMAR

In 1922 the Samuel C. Tatum Company announced that
because of the growth of their loose leaf business that had
decided to dispose (sale) of their office punch department to
the Delmar Manufacturing Company, Cincinnati.
The new company expects to introduce several additional
punches for which there is a demand.

Page 3

DUPLEX

During a review published in the New England Stationer and Printer, a magazine distributed in
1921, it was noted that the Duplex Perforating Punch Press was one of the most powerful hand
perforating punches made and easiest to operate. Considering this machine was patented in
1901, it was a surprise to discover it even existed. Of all placed to
discover it, Ebay. It is not very often that a machine captures my eye, but
in this case, it was familiar, yet new.

Within a few minutes the patent, two actually, one from the US and the
other from Canada were found, the article in the New England Stationer
and Printer and several ads were all found.

The inventor, Edward L. Sibley contributed other paper fasteners during
the same time period. The Challenge Eyelet Press was his work and
reserves a special place in my collect. I have had three examples in my
collection for many years, two models 1’s and a model 2. There is no
doubt about it, Sibley’s work last a life time.

The Duplex comes in three models. The Model 1 has a punching capacity of one half inch
thickness. The Model 2 has a nine sixteenths of an inch and the Model 3 has three fourths of an
inch punching capacity. It is to be borne in mind that by the term solid paper they mean paper
in packs or pads, each sheet laying perfectly flat, and directly in contact with its neighbor. Of
loose sheets the presses have a punching capacity of nearly double the thickness assigned to
them above.

ELBE

The Elbe File and Binder Company or New York was known for their binders,
eyelet machines and desk punches. Operating from around 1915 to the
current times. Their trademark was allowed to expired in 1989, therefore, it
can only be assumed that the end has come to this fine company. Their
early machines are still occasionally found today.

GLOBE

The Globe Files Company was established in 1882 and was a leader in
the field for many years. The example shown is the Globe Model 2
which was produced around 1897.

The Globe Files Company purchasing the Minneapolis based Wernicke
Company, founded in 1899 and became the Globe-Wernicke
Company.

Page 4

HAYDEN

Like so many other inventions, the Hayden Hand Punch was designed for multiple purposes.
Randolph Hayden’s application for patent was filed on March 4,
1903 and in just a few months had been approved on July 7, 1903.

Hayden’s patent was assigned to the Peck, Stow & Wilcox
Company of Southington, Connecticut a company formed in 1870.

His device was documented as being for punching or cutting
openings in various material, such as leather or belting, it is
desirable to construct the parts so as to bring to bear considerable
pressure upon work.

It is a well-made machine and everything considering, still holds an honored place in my hole
punch collection.

KRAHN

The Krahn Manufacturing Company was organized with the manufacture of metal specialties in
mind. Their manufacturing of the Temple Hole Punch came to be later in their existence.

A.W. Krahn was the president of the firm which bore his name.
Krahn was personally responsible for the wonderful strides made by
the company, himself being the inventor of several of their
products known throughout the United States.

The company was founded in 1906 doing experimental work and
developing ideas which today comprises the Krahn lawn sprinkler
and the Krahn hedge trimmer. The Krahn Mfg Co. perfected their
office punch, which was considered one of the greatest punch for
use of its kind.

The Krahn Manufacturing Companies lubricating pumps and specialties were known to have
attracted engineers in every large industry throughout the world.

In 1926 Forty men were employed by Mr. Krahn at his plant, located at 588 Clinton Street,
Milwaukee, where one of the largest, if not the largest, screw machine departments in the city
was operated.

Mr. Krahn was said to be very proud of the success of his company, as it is not often that a
business of this kind can show the success that it had attained.

Page 5

October 11, 1920 This article appeared in Milwaukee Sentinel

In the year 1904, A.W. Krahn, who was then a foreman in the employ of the Nordberg
Manufacturing Company, decided to enter business on his own acount. He opened a small shop
on East Water Street, renting most of his machine tools. Here he was engaged in building
models and doing other experimental work.

In two years his business had developed to such an extent that he decided to incorporate it and
Krahn Manufacturing Company was organized with A.W. Krahn as the President and Treasurer
and E. C. Bayorloin Vice President and secretary of the
Nordberg Manufacturing Company as Secretary. The company
continued the model and experimental work and added to its
line the building of gasoline lighting outfits. It also added the
Temple Paper Punch which was largely used by business
houses and railroad companies.

The patent for the Temple Press was applied for on December
20, 1901 and was approved on August 6, 1902. 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.

GROWTH FORCES CHANGE

The new company located in the Enterprise Building at Syeamore and Second Streets, where it
remaind until 1916, when it moved to the Meyer Building at the corner of Clinton and Lapham
Streets was recently completed and opened with elaborate ceremonies by the Sivyer Steel
Casting Company.

On the second floor a large assembly hall, 125 feet in lerngth has been finished off. This hall
was ideal for company club meetings, dances and other entertainment purposes. A rest room
and dining hall was on the same fllor,. All new office furniture and fixtures were installed.

The family continued to manage the Krahn Manufacturing company after the death of George.
His son, George T. Krahn became the President and later in time George T. Krahn Jr. was also
the President of the company.

MCGILL’S

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.

Page 6

Many of his single hole punches with the two barrels attached for paper fasteners are still
available and found throughout the internet.

NOVELTY

Always a nice addition to any collection, this hole punch (circa 1880) produced by the
Philadelphia Novelty Manufacturing Company does
represent one of the earliest paper punches you will fine.
As for this collector, I consider this example one of my top
shelf machines.

This company also produced one of the first staplers. The
stapler has a base that was very simular to this machine.

ORWIG

This machine will show up from time to time and although it is not a
paper hole punch per say, it is a hole punch used to punch holes in
cards. So what’s the difference you ask?

This is a sewing card perforator and was designed to be used by
kindergarten teachers to teach the children how to sew.

It has a large following in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston to
name a few and apparently it was well known to the school system as a whole.

It makes a large, clear cut hole and saves the children’s eyes as fine work does not. Six to eight
cards may be perforated at one time to any pattern desired.

This machine dates to 1899 and is worthy of display.

PRESTO

Metal Specialty Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill produced a line of inexpensive office
supplies including a few hole punches. In 1933, at the height of the
Depression, Loren H. Semler, Sr. purchased Metal Specialties Manufacturing
Company and it was in 1939, under his guidance, that the Company first
introduced the small pocket and desk size staplers under the trademark
“Presto”. The Company had been losing money up to then and he turned
things around with the introduction of these office products; subsequently
leading to a merger with another company of similar capabilities during the 1940’s and the
name of the Company was changed to Loren Specialty Manufacturing Company Inc.

Page 7

PUNCH RITE

The Punch Rite No. 24 was the product of the Mac- Mieth Company Port Orange, Florida and
Newark, New Jersey.
The No. 24 hole punch appears to be from the late 1940’s and into the
late 1950’s to early 1960’s. As of this writing, no substantial information
has been found to pin point the actual dates of manufacture. It is
obvious that the company did market a great many of the No. 24
punches as there are several being offered on ebay at this time.
The Mac-Mieth Company has been known for the Manufacture of
quality handheld hole punches. Made in the USA. Their hole punches are used by the railway
and bus lines, for frequent buyer cards, promotions, identification and more.
Ads dating back to 1922 have been found for their hand held punches, along with the name
P.O. Mieth.
Mac-Mieth Company was listed as incorporated on August 16, 1951. Unfortunately, more
research is required on this company.

S&T

Sieber & Trussell Manufacturing Co., later to become Boorum &
Pease Company and until recently the Nelson Loose Leaf Corp. This
heavy duty hole punch was designed for heavy work and for work
within a busy office.
The punch heads were interchangeable and the machine could be
adapted for many variations of perforation.

SAMSON

Machine Appliance Corporation produced the Ajax Eyelet Fastener, Samson Eyelet
Tool, and the Samson No. 1 Hand Punch. They were located at 351 Jay Street,
Brooklyn, New York.
This hand held punch is one of the most overlooked antique hole punches around,
with a production date starting in 1916

Page 8

SIEBER

On April 26, 1915 it was reported that Sieber Products Manufacturing Company incorporated in
the city of Saint Louis, Mo. Those individuals listed as having interest in the corporation were,
H.L. Gardner, Breckinridge

Long, Charles Sieber (President), Edward S. Sieber, Harry M.
Sieber all three from Webster Grove, Mo.

The purpose of the company was to manufacture and deal in
loose leaf binders and supplies.

The total capital stock was reported to be $30,000.

From Office Appliances 1922

The Sieber Products Manufacturing Company, 4000-06 LaClede

Avenue, St Louis, Mo. Makes the Sieber adjustable hand punch. It is featured as an accessory
for the power punching machine. The device is of extra heavy construction and will handle all
classes of loose leaf punching. Any size sheet can be punched or slotted. The dies are adjustable
for various spacings up to 8 1/2 inches’ center facilitating setting the dies for any work. The
punch movement is positive: an eccentric shaft gives extra power to the stroke. The punch is
copper oxidized, with nickel plating table and handle grip. Two round dies are furnished with
each machine, the buyer having options of any one of eight sizes. Dies can be furnished for t-
slots, round slotted hole and the “Proudfit” T-slot.

The American Type Founders Company was assigned as the Pacific Coast agent for the Sieber
adjustable hand punch. A.T.F. was reported to have ordered a large number of these machines
to insure they were able to take care of all orders promptly.

SWINGLINE

The Speed Products Company owned by Jack Linsky wasn’t exactly known
for hole punches. His fortune was made with staplers. But during World War
II, Linsky saw a chance to capitalize on his position with the U.S.
Government. The war effort needed his plants to turn out weapons. It
needed his staplers and it would need all other office devises, such as, the
hole punch.

Page 9

TATUM

The Tatum Improved Hummer Paper Punch was produced in
1913 and was known and used throughout the world. The Tatum
Company had a most effective advertisement department. This
was obvious because their products were available worldwide
and known for their dependability and strength of construction.
The Tatum hole punch was the standard for all hole punch
manufactured for decades.

TEMPLE

When I saw the patent awarded to Henry S. Temple for his hole punch I knew it was a machine
that went into production immidiately. Although Krahn took an interest in the machine it would
not be for several years that they would actually market it.

As it turns out the Tengwall File and Ledger Company was the
distributor for many of the first years of the Temple’s exsistance.

In their 1902 ad, Tengwall had this to say about the new hole
punch:

“There is nothing like it on the market. Does away with wrinkling
and mutilating sheets with a knife. Sheets can be kept in perfect
alignment as in a bound book. It is a wonderful labor saving device – strong, compact and
substantial. Nothing to get out of order. Can be securly screwed to a desk or table. Used for
punching lawyer’s briefs, tariffs, contracts, claims, mailing list, etc.”

Research would indicate that the Krahn Manufacturing Company would take over
manufacturing around 1906.

TENGWALL

Andreas Tengwall, a merchant from Helsingborg invented the now
widely used binder which with its four forks hold the paper in place.
Tengwall built a factory in the basement of his home,the villa Vallarta
Torp. He received a patent for his invention in 1890. His binder went
by the name Trio.

At the same time, he designed a punch that was adapted to burrow
through paper so that it neatly and easily fit into the binders. The
punch was produced in a 4-hole system and went under the name Trio punch. The word Trio
simply put, there were three individual who partnered together to create the company.
Andreas Tengwall. R. Larsen and Otto Killberg.

Page 10

Andreas Tengwall also performed duties as the bookseller while R. Larsen was the bookbinder.

Tengwall also started up a factory in America to be closer to the US market. The company was
then called the A & T Tengwall.

After Andrew passed away at the age of 70 years old, his son Theodore who was well versed on
the operation took control of the company. After Theodore's death in 1926 his sister Frida
came to take over the company then called Tengwall AB. Frida eventually came to sell the
company to Esselte.

Today, the Tengwall binder and punch are credited with setting the Swedish standard.

WILSON JONES

Wilson Jones was founded in 1893 as the Chicago Shipping and Receipt Book Company.

The company’s original proprietor was a Chicago jeweler who invented and began
manufacturing a simple aluminum paper clasp. Six years later, the small company was taken
over by Ralph B. Wilson.

Advertisements for hole punches have been seen dating to 1903.

As for history, no other company has as much history as
Wilson-Jones. It has bought out and been bought more times
than just about every office supplies manufacturer.

Early in their existance, it is said that the company moved four
times overa 15 month period, each time for larger
accomodations.

YAWMAN AND ERBE

Y & E or Yawman and Erbe Manufacturing Company of Rochester, New York was known for
their stationery and small business machines such as the hole punch, their stationery was a
favorite of the banking industry.

The hole punch can still be found either in the Model A or Model B
verity. Care must be taken not to misidentify the Y & E punch as
the Globe Columbia or the Model 3 looks strikingly like this
machine. Although this writer has not compared the two
machines closely, it is possible they were both produced from the
same patent. Important to note, the Y & E was manufactured in
1906 while the Globe was manufactured in 1903.

Page 11

UNITED STATES

PATENTS

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ADVERTISEMENTS

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(1902)

(1906)
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(1913)

(1906 The American Stationer)
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Page 31

(A respectable collection of Tengwall)

(Several examples from my collection)

Page 32

(Several examples from my collection)
Page 33

(Circa 1902 Globe Wernicke No. 4 Perforator)
Page 34

Page 35

ACCO Products, Inc.

ACCO was originally known as the Clipper Manufacturing Company. Clipper was founded in
1903 by Fred J. Kline, located in Long Island City, New York. Clipper had one product: paper
clips. Seemingly insignificant at only a fraction of a cent per piece, Clipper eventually turned out
billions of the little wire contraptions.

In 1910, Kline changed the name of his firm to the grander (circa 1916)
sounding American Clip Company. Two years later he
invented a new paper fastener that he dubbed the "ACCO
Fastener" after his company's acronym. This two-pronged
locking paper compressor proved highly successful and
cleared the way for several new products, including folders,
binders, punches, and clamps. Also marketed under the ACCO
brand name, these items became better known than the
company that made them. This prompted Kline to change the
name of the company again in 1922, this time to ACCO
Products, Inc.

AMBART HOLE PUNCH

As a collector, it was an exciting moment when I first laid
eyes on the Ambart Hole Punch. At the time, it was in the
collection of a tool collector who informed me that he had
gotten it at auction from another collector from Indiana a
year earlier.

Page 36

This strange
hole punch
was rustic in
appearance
and made from
average
material. At
first, I even
considered that someone made it in their
garage or small shop. Little did I know at the
time I was looking at the holy grail of hole
punches. No, not really, but it was an early
model and it was an antique.

Just in quick
observation, it was
easy to see that it has
a cast iron handle,
metal plate, and an
oak base probably for
collecting the paper
punches.

It was the rivets that
had me stumped.
What paper punch
producing company
used rivets? I could
think of none. Again, I thought, this had to be
the work of some back yard engineer. It
couldn’t be original.

Aside for the rivets, I notice that the operating
lever wasn’t bolted to the frame or lugs. That
can’t be right, I remembered thinking. There is
a long pin running horizontally through two
sections of the operating lever and the frame.
Where are the bolts?

The oak base was in need of attention and did
not appear to be of quality workmanship. I did
believe age had taken its toll on it.

Page 37

The metal plate is hinged to the oak base for easy cleaning of the paper punches and secured
by two wood screws. Again, I thought, what am I looking at here?

The only markings stamped into the metal plate is "Patent applied for".

Attached to the underside of the metal plate is a L shaped 7/32" gage rod, used to align the
paper so all piece that punched are punched uniformly. I was genuinely surprised to see the
gage rod, as even on more current machines, that piece is usually missing.

I bought the machine, now it was time to start the investigation. Most collectors are happy to
add the machine to their collection, but I have to know everything about them before they get
displayed. I just have to be different.

My library of antique and vintage office catalogs and journals is pretty large, so I didn’t have to
go far. I just had to sit back and start reviewing magazines, page by page. I will remind you, at

this point I still had no idea who produced this
example or what it was called. After about two
hours, there it was. In a 1907 office journal, The
Ambart Hole Punch, produced by the Barrett
Bindery Company out of Chicago, Illinois. Now that I
had the name of the machine and manufacturer,
things got a little easier. Another three adds were
found in other magazines dated 1907 and 1908 and
another in 1914.

“Several punches are on the market but of the less
expensive ones that which has been found to serve the purpose well and to punch all five holes
at one time is the Ambart punch, made by the Barrett Bindery Co., Chicago. This punch, as
ordinarily furnished is adjustable to a certain extent but the adjustment is not such as to punch
all five holes to fit the I.P. and Moore Binders.”

The next piece of the puzzle finally appeared in finding the patent for the Ambart. Patent
Number 909,739 was issued to Arthur M. Barrett on January 12, 1909 and assigned to John R.
Barrett, founder of the Barrett Bindery Company. What was surprising is, the patent list an
application date of September 25, 1907. From application to approval took 15 months. By the
standards of the day, that was a long time. These dates make it easy to date my machine as
stamped on the plate is PATENT APPLIED FOR.

It was interesting to finally see the patent. Here at last were all of those features that I had
been wondering about on this machine. The pins, the rivets, the wooden base, are all there.
Original pieces placed on this example at the time of manufacture.

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Boorum & Pease

The Boorum & Pease Company was founded in 1842 by Arthur Morrell, an English bookbinder
engaged in the manufacture of blank books at 196 Fulton street, New York City. Retiring in
1853, he left his business to John O'Hara, who moved the company to 306 Bleecker street. It
was on September 1, 1867, that this business was transformed into that of Boorum & Pease,
being located at the corner of Bank and Bleecker streets. Mr. Boorum started in Mr. O'Hara's
employ as a boy of 14. Mr. Pease had been in the stationery business in Detroit. In 1893 greatly
increasing growth, resulted in incorporation as the Boorum & Pease Company, with the
following officers: George L. Pease, president;

William B. Boorum, vice-president; Charles L. Boorum, second vice-president; G. C. Boorum,
secretary and treasurer. William C. Bardenheuer as the manager.

Boorum & Pease maintained facilities in Brooklyn from approximately 1888 to 1984. These
included their first factory building there at the corner of Front and Bridge streets (184 Front
St.), and a building two blocks away on Hudson Ave. Their earliest factories, offices and
salesrooms were in Manhattan: 23-25 Beekman St. (1870-1873), 28-30 Reade St. (1874-1893),
101-103 Duane St. (1893-1908), 109-111 Leonard St. (1908-1925), 349 Broadway (1926-1962)
and 93 Worth St. (1963-1973).

Boorum & Pease bought the Seiber & Trussell Manufacturing Company of St. Louis which was in
the business of manufacturing ledgers, loose leaf binders and had the patent rights to a few
hole punches invented my Mr. Trussell. After the purchase Boorum & Pease announcement
that the name of the St. Louis company has been dropped entirely by the purchaser, a new title
having been given it, namely The Boorum and Pease Loose Leaf Book Company.

Obituaries of the founders and officers

George L. Pease's obituary, New York Times, 26 February 1895, read, "George L. Pease died
yesterday morning at his home, 325 Clinton
Avenue, Brooklyn. He was stricken with apoplexy
at 11 o'clock Sunday morning. Mr. Pease had been
ill all Winter, and for two weeks had been confined
to his bed. His illness is attributed to worry over
the $354,000 defalcation of Samuel C. Seely and
Frederick Baker. When the defalcation was
discovered Mr. Pease did all in his power for the
bank and its depositors, and overexerting himself,
affected his health. He was re-elected Vice
President at the annual meeting on Jan. 8, but
resigned his position on Feb. 15, and at once took

to his bed, where he remained until his death.

Page 39

Mr. Pease owned a large interest in the Boorum & Pease Company, which manufactures blank
books, and left a large estate. He was born in Painesville, Ohio, in June, 1835. With his father,
he moved to Detroit, Mich., when he was nine years old, and there and at Lodi, Mich., he
obtained his education. He afterward taught school.

William B. Boorum's obituary, New York Times, 28 March 1901, read, "William B. Boorum died
suddenly at his home, 276 Henry Street, Brooklyn, on Tuesday. Death was due to heart disease.
Mr. Boorum was born sixty-two years ago, and when fifteen years old he entered the office of
John O'Hara, a manufacturer of blank books. He afterward became a partner of his employer,
and on Mr. O'Hara's death organized the firm of Miles, Boorum & Co., and afterward the firm of
Boorum & Pease, operating the largest blank-book manufacturing plant in the United States.
Mr. Boorum was prominently connected with Plymouth Church for forty years. He leaves a
widow and four children. The funeral services will be held at his home to-morrow at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon. Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis will conduct the services."

Both William B. Boorum and George L. Pease are buried in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Edwin E. Jackson, Jr. (1867-1919). His obituary, New York Times, 27 May 1919, included the
following, "Mr. Jackson's home in Clinton Avenue is one of the finest structures on that street.
It is said that the building alone cost $100,000. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Oxford Club,
Brooklyn, the Union League Club, and attended the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church. He
is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carolina Mather Boorum, daughter of William Boorum of the old
and prominent Boorum family of Brooklyn." Edwin E. Jackson, Jr., was president of Boorum &
Pease at the time of his death.

Frederick Conant Bingham (1878-1944) succeeded Mr. Jackson after his death. As reported in
the American Stationer and Office Outfitter in June of 1919, "The many friends of Fred C.
Bingham are congratulating him on the fact that he has again associated himself with the
Boorum & Pease Company. He has just been elected to the office of President and General
Manager. Mr. Bingham is well known throughout the trade, having been connected for many
years with the Boorum & Pease Company, filling very important positions under the close
guidance of W. B. Boorum. Some

years ago, he left the organization to embark in business in Philadelphia, where he has been
most successful, particularly of late years in his position of General Manager of the Hires
Company and other important organizations."

Arthur Walker Bingham, Jr (1908-1987) Educated in Yale University and listed
as the Secretary/Treasurer of Boorum & Pease Company. Arthur married Mary
Dunwody who lived for nearly 100 years. She died peacefully, December 23,
2000, in her 99th year. Obituary read, “Beloved wife of the late Arthur W.
Bingham, Jr., loving mother of the late Mary B. Murray and of A. Walker
Bingham III, devoted grandmother of Felicia C. Murray, Jonathan E. Murray,
Arthur W. Bingham IV, Alexander D. Bingham & Nicole P. Bingham”.

Page 40

Among others associated with Boorum & Pease in its early years was William B. Boorum's son,
Charles Lowe Boorum (1866-1897). His death at an early age was noted by the New England

Stationer and Printer. vol. XI, no. 3, April, 1897, "Charles Lowe Boorum, elder son of William B.
Boorum, of the Boorum & Pease Company, died suddenly April 16 at his home, 289 Clinton
avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Boorum was an officer of the company, and was in charge of the
company's factory in Brooklyn. He was thirty-one years of age."

Arthur Walker Bingham, III. died peacefully at home on April 1, 2016, in his 88th year. He was
born in New York City and attended The Buckley School, St. Paul's School, Harvard College and
Harvard Law School. He served as a naval officer during the Korean War and held the rank of
Lieutenant. After graduating Law School, he was an attorney at Millbank Tweed, Hadley &
McCloy, the General Attorney for Abex Corporation, and the Chairman of Boorum & Pease
Company. He led an active life participating in many organizations including, at various times,
President of the Church Club of New York, Trustee of Fort Ticonderoga, Commander of Knights
Templar, Master of Holland Lodge, a Vestryman of St. James Church, Secretary of the National
Institute of Social Sciences, and a Lieutenant Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars. He was
passionate about history and collected a library of antique medicinal advertising, Patent
Medicines and preparations, about which he published the "Snake Oil Syndrome," an illustrated
history of Patent Medicine advertising. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nicolette Pathy, his
daughter Nicole P. Bingham, his sons Arthur W. Bingham and Alexander D. Bingham, and three
grandchildren. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at the Church of the Epiphany,
1393 York Avenue, New York City, on April 18th at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his
honor may be made to St. Paul's School, 325 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH or The Buckley
School, 113 East 73rd Street, NYC.

Fred C. Bingham's obituary in the New York Times, 18 Nov. 1944, read in part, "Frederick
Conant Bingham of Madison, N. J., chairman of the board of Boorum & Pease Company,
manufacturing stationers of Brooklyn, died yesterday in New York Hospital after a brief illness.

His age was 65. Born in Troy, N. Y., the son of Eugene and Pauline Walker Bingham, Mr.
Bingham attended St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., and Middlebury College. As a young man he

worked four years for Boorum & Pease Company. He then became general manager of the
Main Belting Company of Philadelphia and later formed his own concern, the Bingham
Company, printers and lithographers of Philadelphia. In 1912 he became general manager of
the Charles E. Hires Root Beer Company. Seven years later he rejoined Boorum & Pease
Company as president and in 1937 was made chairman of the board."

Page 41