Looking for Advice on Facebook Fans

[Dan Tothill]

Please excuse me if I’ve posted this in the wrong place. 
 

There are currently a few vintage/antique fans for sale near me (NH) that I’m interested in.

The first is a GE fan with a cool bullet shape to it and a neat vintage color.  I’m curious if anyone is familiar with this fan and can tell me if it’s easy to repair/maintain.  They’re asking $35 but I figured I’d offer $20 if it was something I could learn with.

 

The other fan is an older westinghouse which looks gorgeous but is listed for $385.  There’s a picture of the fan in use.  Not sure what a fair price would be for something like this but if it’s a steal at $385, I’d need to look at something else.  There’s also a 1910 GE nearby but it’s listed at $500 so I haven’t even bothered posting pics because that’s definitely not in the budget for me at this point in time.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 6 by Dan Tothill
Wrong photos posted

[Tom Zapf]

the first ge in the blue-ish is an early  "C-Strap" that came in 10 & 12" . they are a pain to work on because the only way to get inside is to remove the blade and cage and the blade is mounted on a rubber hub which can be damaged or destroyed ...they were made for a long time and tend to be thought of as "dime a dozen", but i do love how silent the 10" models  run...i would not consider this a "learning" fan , there are lots better choices. The second GE you show is much more valuable with the motor turning on pivots inside the "Loop Handle" type mounting. It appears to be 12" and the guys can weigh in on value 

[Dan Tothill]

Thanks Tom, that's what I was afraid of with the blue GE.  I bought some 1950s window fans which got me into this club in the first place and they had similar issues.  I would love to own a fan like the older black GE but I am blown away at the prices they go for!

[Dan Tothill]

Do you know which info from the GE fan will get me the best search results?

Type: AOU

Form: ABI

No. C91110

Spec. 272058-1

Cat. 75423

[Tom Zapf]

ok my advice on the older desk fans is post here on this club forum for what you might like...also check our buy/sell/trade button below...there are a LOT of us with project fans we will just never get to and we like things to go to those who will do right by them, and prices might surprise you in their reasonablenss

if you look on ebay  type in "vintage ge fans" or ge desk fans  or ge table fans...you will find SOME people are nuts on their pricing and think they have  the Hope Diamond instead of a cheap metal dimestore fan , but others are realistic. Any antique type place is most likely going to be over priced ... but i would try the club here first 

auto parts store vaccuum caps can be used to replace the rubber hub tips which were on many ge fans from the 10 & 12" c strap fans with metal blades plus the later 12" with the 5 wing plastic blade. The same hub was used on all the 1950s twin 12" window fans of all kinds, plus the later sixties 14" 5 wing box fan and also the early 1950s-early 1960s little 10" "TV set" all purpose fans...so playing with any of these fans can be difficult 

 

[Lane Shirey]

The second GE is a Loophandle brass bell. Not super rare , but very easy to restore and beautiful when finished.  Arguably one of the best fans GE ever made. If you can get it for a $100 bill, snag it.  That’s the one to buy. 

Edited February 7 by Lane Shirey

[Dan Tothill]

Thanks Lane, Unfortunately that one is listed for $385 so I think it's too big of a divide between myself and the seller.  I love that style of fan though.  I am taking Tom's advice and posting a wanted ad here.

[Lane Shirey]

Where are you located? There might be a Spring fan meet not far from you. That’s the best place to buy fans. Especially at the end of the day if you’re not looking for anything in particular.  Tom and I host meets in the northeast as well as Robbie Lawrence and there are several others in various places.