Hand Pump Collection

Hand Pump Collection FARM HOME Miscellaneous 23-3-23 People collect things for many reasons. But for Bob Emery, who collects old hand pumps, the motivation for his collection is simply the fact that he appreciates the function they performed. "In their times, these pumps were very important. Every farm and home had one," he says. Emery's home near Carlinville, Ill., is a pump showcase, starting in the front yard. The family's mailbox is attached to a pump and another pump is used as a lawn ornament. Emery started collecting pumps about four years ago. "Many of them were in pieces. I then restored them." His collection consists of 20 big pumps and a dozen smaller ones. Most were made during the early 1900's. All have been restored and repainted. Emery's collection is displayed in a basement museum that consists of a work area, study, and display area. The pump that started the collection is also the most unusual. Manufactured by the Peters company, it has two cylinders. The collection also includes pumps made by Blue Star, Wistrand, Hayes Pump & Planter, F.E. Meyers Brothers, and several Red Jackets. Different styles of pumps were popular in different parts of the country. Differing geography sometimes played a role. For example, the rocky terrain in Arkansas led to development of what Bob refers to as the "Arkansas Bucket". Because it was difficult to dig a well, people would just sink a pipe. A metal cylinder with an opening in it would be dropped down into the pipe to pick up water and bring it to the surface. Bob's oldest pump was called a "post pump". It was used by early pioneers on the prairie. It was made from a hollowed out post with a metal spout and handle. Several of the pumps in his collection are multi-functional. The upright bar could be hooked to a windmill or a pump jack. Force pumps were used in homes to force water up the pipe connected to the toilet. The "full body" pump was one that didn't have an exposed pipe. He owns one made by the Monitor company. The smallest pumps in his collection are pitcher pumps. One problem with collecting pumps is that finding information about them is difficult, Bob says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bob Emery, 18624 Rt. 108, Carlinville, Ill. 62626 (ph 217 854-2293). Reprinted courtesy Farm Collector Magazine, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, Kan. 66609 (ph toll-free 1-800-678-4883).

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