Perforator

The Globe-Wernicke Company

The Globe-Wernicke Company was formed because of the Cincinnati based Globe Files
Company (est. in 1882) purchasing the Minneapolis based Wernicke Company, founded in 1893
by Otto Wernicke, in 1899. The company is best known for their high-end bookcases, Desks,
and other office furniture. Globe Wernicke established factories in the United States, Canada,
United Kingdom, France and Germany.
Their paper perforators can be traced back to the late 1890’s. The company manufactured
many different styles that are still sought after today.
The photo to the right is Henry C. Yeiser, Sr. elected President of The Globe-Wernicke Company
in 1898

The Heinn Company

In 1896 Adolphe Heinn founded The Heinn Company, a manufacturer of the Morehouse
loose leaf ledger, loose leaf price books, loose leaf scrap books and loose-
leaf tariff files. The Heinn Company was the originator of several of the first
loose leaf systems, all fully patented. Notable patents include the Stay
Open book which prevented books from closing and the Telescopic Back
book, which became the dominate price book around the world.
The first building we inhabited, at 326 W. Florida St., was owned by the
Pabst family. Even today some of the Heinn Companies advertisements are
still faintly visible on the building’s fading facade.
There is no evidence that Heinn actually produced the displayed hole punch but rather
commissioned its manufacture to augment his line of ledgers. This was a common practice
during the period.

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LEFAX, Inc

Orinally, it was believed that this perforator was another
in the line of commissioned machines. But investigation
proved that it was in fact patented for the LEFAX Inc.
Patent number 1259551 was approved on March 19,
1918.
LEFAX produced a line of ledgers, Radio Logs, FILOFAX and
Cardref Systems. Very little information has been found,
but with all thing, time and the never ending search will
result in the history being found.

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Sieber & Trussell Manufacturing Co.

S & T, 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.

This very rare S & T Manufacturing
Company Six Hole Punch is believed to be
circa 1895 - 1899.

based on the general appearance it would appear to have been designed by
Emory A. Trussell who designed two other hole punches that were manufactured

and marketed by the Sieber & Trussell
Manufacturing Company, St Louis.

This example has the number 133
stamped into the metal base, possibly
indicating it was the 133rd example
produced. Surprisingly, it was
completely manufactured using rivets
to hold all parts together. No screws,
nuts, or bolts are present.

This machines also bares the tag from
the auction where hundreds of Elli
Buk’s antique and vintage machines
were sold.

The American Stationer reported on May 20, 1911 on the recent purchase of the
Seiber & Trussell Manufacturing Company of St. Louis by the Boorum & Pease
Company of New York City, the news of the purchase was followed by the
announcement that the name of the St. Louis company would remain the same,
but shortly thereafter that decision was changed and the S & T name was
dropped entirely by the purchaser, a new title having been given it, namely The
Boorum and Pease Loose Leaf Book Company.

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STROMBERG, ALLEN & COMPANY

Years ago, I acquired an example of hole punch that I had never seen before.

After receiving it in the mail, it was immediately boxed up and put away. Why?
Because it could not be identified.

The machine was old, and it was a hold punch,
but it had no markings or brands. It could not be
identified, therefore, I didn’t want visitors to ask
about it, as I would have no answers.

Even after finding another example with the
brand, SACO. It was still not tracible. So, a file was
created with these photographs in it, labeled
“Unknown”.

Today, after nearly three years, while thumbing
through a 1918 magazine that had been scanned
and made available by a university, there it was.
The Improved Saco Punch.

This article about an improved hole punch
provided enough information to establish that the creator
was Charles J. Stromberg and his partner was John Allen
and Company.

Charles was listed as the President of the company while
John Allen was the Vice President. Charles E. Temple was
carried as the Director.

The group was located at 430-432 S. Clark Street Chicago,
Ill.

The hole punch was advertised as being suitable for punching office papers,
pamphlets, magazines, railroad tickets, tariffs, legal and other papers.

From my own observations and photos in my files, I have come to my own
conclusions that the above shown example was the first model (circa 1915 –
1917) while the model shown to the right is the second model produced by SACO.

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SAMUEL C. TATUM

The Mendenhall Machines

The Tatum Company had many examples to choose from, if ones’
interest in on paper perforators. One group of punches was invented
by Walter S. Mendenhall from Norwood, Ohio. His patent was
responsible for at least 3 different perforators, a three hole, a two
hole, and a one-hole punch.

Mendenhall originally applied for his patent on October 27, 1898. It
wasn’t until October 3, 1899 that his patent was finally considered
and approved. The designated patent number is 634,304

After many years of dedication to the company, Mendenhall
for elected to the Vice President position.

THE SAMSON

Collectors know what it is like, it’s the never-ending search for
these machines. Only one has surfaced and after several
opportunities to buy it, the decision was finally made to add it
to my collection.

For a long time, it was my impression that Samson was the name
of the company that produced this hole punch, if not the
company, perhaps it was the inventor.

While reviewing magazines from the 1902 – 1904 period a few ads
started to appear and give up the secret of the Samson Perforator. It was made by the Samuel
C. Tatum Company. The 2-hole perforator called Samson was given a name instead of
classifying the machine as Model No. 1 or No. 2 and the one-hole perforator was named the
Mutant Punch. This example was manufactured using the October 3, 1899 patent.

THE MUTAT

The Mutat fills the growing and insistent demand for a single
one-fourth inch round hole punch.

Mounted on an iron base 3.5x5.5 inches handsomely finished
in maroon.

The varied uses of loose leaf sheets have developed the call for an
inexpensive punch capable of punching one or more holes in varied
positions and we predict a hearty appreciation and rapid sale of
the Mutat punch.

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Mutat punches are of the same high “Tatum” quality as other
goods made by the manufacturer, The Samuel C. Tatum Company,
Cincinnati, Ohio. This example was manufactured using the
October 3, 1899 patent.
No. 27 Hole Punch
This example can be adjusted to punch holes up to 12 inches
center to center.
Having made more punches than any other
manufacturer for the perforating of paper,
the Tatum Company was able to meet the
requirements of all users.
Tatum advertised that their adjustable
punch will meet the requirements of the
office manager who desires to perforate
round holes at various distances.
This example was made for regular 3/16-
inch posts and for 3/8-inch post.
This example was manufactured using the October 3, 1899 patent.

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THE ECLIPSE
This example of Mendenhall work has proven to be elusive.
None have been found and will continue to be mystery probably for
a long time.
We do know that it was named the Eclipse Punch and that it was
made of metal parts. The punches were made in four sizes. Other
features can be read on the advertisements below. This example
was manufactured using the October 3, 1899 patent.

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The Odom Machines
Chesley Dom was another of the great inventors for the Tatum Company
and he later became the General Superintendent for the company. Dom is
credited with at least two designs patented in 1915. Both were widely used
by Tatum and by other companies that bought the rights after the Tatum
Company quit producing hole punches.
These machine can still be found with just minimal effort.

PET – Machined for single holes, round or slit. This machine was and still is
strong and durable. It was produced in four stock sizes. Introduced in 1913,
the Pet was a true work horse and it was portable. After its use, it could be put
away in a drawer or cabinet. That is why there are thousands of they still
around. It is still very easy to find a Pet made by the Tatum Company and it is
available at minimal cost.
TRI_MEE 303 – This machine was designed for punching sheets for ring book memos. It

punched three holes at one operation.

Without a doubt, the Tri Mee was a specialty item in which the user had to
have the binder specific to this punch. The machine is unusual in its
appearance and can be found today.

TRI MEE 307 – This was considered a special punch for ring book
sheets. It would punch three holes 4.25 inches between centers. The
Tri Mee Hole Punch was equal in size to the Improved Hummer but
from the written accounts, punched larger hole.
MARVEL – One of their most successful punches. This machine punched two holes. It was
advertised as a strong machine and it came in seven stock sizes. This machine can still be found
in very good condition and at a very reasonable price. The example shown at right is the early
model and was produced until around 1917.

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The next example, circa 1916-1922, had an arm with a round tab at the
end to be pressed to operate. The tab had the Tatum Shield engraved into
it. This example is more common and can be found easily. The amazing fact
about these two punchers is that they are 100 years old and still in use.

The number of parts used to make the Marvel Hole Punch was minimal,
yet each piece is well made, and the material used was of the highest quali

SCHOOL MARVEL – It would punch multiple holes for
kindergarten work. It could punch ten holes at one
operation. This machine had such a specific purpose that it
is believed it will be a long time before one is ever
discovered.

The only cut found is of such poor quality very little can be
learned of the machine. It does appear that the size is
equal to the Improved Hummer. Other machines produced
for the same

purpose advertised that the machine was developed to teach children how to sew. It would
also have use in arts and crafts.

IMPROVED HUMMER – This punch is one of the most
recognized hole punches of all times. This machine was
produced in 1912 while the patent was being considered by
the patent office. The patent was approved in 1913.

Like the Marvel Hole Punch, Tatum introduced the new round
tab mounted on a single arm to their Improved Hummer. This
occurred at the same time as the new Marvel’s introduction,
circa 1916. This example is more common and can be found
easily. These two punchers are 100 years old and still in use.

The oldest examples of the Improved Hummer will always be
the Sam’l C. Tatum Company. Regardless of the machine you
buy, if it has the Tatum name on it. It was manufacturered prior to 1922.

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(Circa 1913 Improved Humm

(The Sieber Hole Punch)
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(The Faultless Hole Punch)
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