The Butler and the Shag King

We bought a 1979 Kirby vacuum cleaner today at Orkney’s monthly auction called the Mart. Cost me £7 which is a lot less than someone paid for it in 1979. It also came with a truck load of accessories and shampooing box and buffer called “The Butler” . . . and a contraption for sprucing up the shag carpet called the “Shag King”. Yeah . . SHAG KING . , , the name carries some baggage in our Post-AustinPowers world . . kinda like “postmodern” . . but anyway . .. Debbie is cleaning it up right and we are excited about our new addition to the family . . . Mr Kirby.

Andrew

Andrew Jones launched his first internet space in 1997 and has been teaching on related issues for the past 20 years. He travels all the time but lives between Wellington, San Francisco and a hobbit home in Prague.

6 Comments

  • Laura says:

    We had a Kirby when I was little–a good bit of time before 1979–the thing was amazing. it did rugs, floors, and even sharpened knives. and built like a tractor. oh, the memories…

  • Bob Hudson says:

    Andrew,
    we bought a kirby for $120 US at a garage sale. It didn’t work right, so we took it for a tune up. $20 later it is in perfect condition and well worth the bucks. enjoy!

  • Gabi says:

    The thing is that you didn’t it buy as a relic but that it actually works! God blessed you with amazing financial dealings… Jay & Beth (Weaver) here are somewhat similar. Last note – I was born in ’79. Huhh. May it work for a LONGer time!

  • andrew says:

    hi gabi
    i was just reading some stuff i wrote when i was in budapest. hope all in Hungary are well.

  • jean kleffman says:

    Of all the intereseting stuff on your site, why does this post rock my world. Who knows, Ancient future underpinnings perhaps.
    Best wishes in all of the ways you will use that Kirby.
    Jean

  • Word Up 1 says:

    TallSkinnyKiwi: The Butler and the Shag King

    We purchased a Kirby a couple of years ago. A friend of my wife had referred us to a salesman that did a demo at their house. Anyway, I told my wife there is no way we would spend $1500

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