The
Hole Punch
Presented by
Curtis A. Scaglione
Copyright © 2017 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 patented 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 by outs or other reasons. The
companies and machines changed hands constantly.
that advancements in the traditional hole punch remained small, as the original
designs were efficient and easy to create.
Today, paper punches are a commonly used office supply 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 in most cases no one is going 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 or that anyone else was interested at all.
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 really 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
INDEX
Manufacturer
Page
Ambart
1
American
1
Baker & Vewter
1-2
Bates
2
Boorum & Pease
2
C.B. & F. Co.
3
Delmar
3
Duplex
4
Elbe
4
Globe
4
Hayden
4
Krahn
4-5
McGill’s
6
Novelty
6
Orwig
6
Presto
7
Punch Rite
7
S. & T.
7
Samson
8
Sieber
8
Swingline
8
Tatum
9
Temple
9
Tengwall
9-10
Wilson Jones
10
Yawman and Erbe
10
Patents
Page
INVENTOR
APPROVED
PATENT
J.C. Jensen
June 26, 1888
385,056
11
S.H. Fish
January 1, 1889
395,320
12
J.F. Brown
June 17, 1890
430,168
13
W.S. Mendenhall
October 3, 1899
634,304
14
W. Lukes
July 16, 1901
678,577
15
E.L. Sibley
December 3, 1901
687,906
16
F.W. Tobey
February 11, 1902
695,082
17
H.S. Temple
August 5, 1902
708,279
18
A. Tengwall
November 7, 1905
803,727
19
W.P. Pitt
December 12, 1905
806,914
20
H Cousins & J.W. Botsford
January 7, 1913
1,049,676
21
C.A. Finley
January 3, 1928
1,655,315
22
C.P. Moore
May 8, 1928
1,669,344
23
A. Glaeser
December 10, 1929
1,738,572
24
J.A. Yerkes
October 3, 1950
2,524,582
25
Advertisements
Page
Ambart
26
Sibley
26
S&T
27
Sieber
28
Tatum
28
Tatum
29
Temple
30
Tengwall
30
Photograghs
31-33
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. Used to cancel invoices, validate some documents, invalidate others; the indelible, immutable mark of
the perforating method is the basis of this machine’s invaluable place in administrative office operations.
Although it is not a certainty this machines belongs in this category of hole punches, it is submitted all the
same in the event that others feel it is related to the standard hole punch.
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.
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.
Page 2
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.
This example comes mounted on a beautiful oak base.
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.
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.
Page 3
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.
The company went on to produce several beautiful perforators, all worthy of any
fine collection.
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
Page 4
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.
“The Krahn Company’s proud fourteen year record, Never forced to lay off men for lack of work since its
organization.”
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.
Page 5
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.
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.
Page 6
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.
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.
Page 7
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.
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 8
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.
Other variants were the “PET”, “MARVEL”, “TRI-MEE”, and the “SCHOOL MARVEL”.
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 has long perplexed
individuals trying to determine what is stood for. Simply put, there were three
individual who partnered together
Page 9
to create the company. Andreas Tengwall. R. Larsen and Otto Killberg.
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 10
UNITED STATES
PATENTS
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
ADVERTISEMENTS
Page 26
(1902)
(1906)
Page 27
Page 28
(1913)
(1906 The American Stationer)
Page 29
Page 30
(A respectable collection of Tengwall)
(Several examples from my collection)
Page 31
(Several examples from my collection)
Page 32
(Circa 1902 Globe Wernicke No. 4 Perforator)
“This is not the end, it is only the beginning”
Curtis Scaglione
Page 33