Asparagus Buncher

Period1902 - 1920

MediumCast iron

Dimensions8.5 × 12.75 × 13.5 in. (21.6 × 32.4 × 34.3 cm)

InscribedMolded on circular tip plate: “The Handy Buncher / Patented Mar. 11, 1902 / By / H. I. Schanck, / Holmdel, N.J.”

ClassificationsAgricultural T&E

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Milstein, 1981

Object number1980.4.1

DescriptionAsparagus buncher, of cast iron, with footed base drilled for attaching to bench or table; spring clamp lever operates pair of ring clamps, allowing clamps to open at top to accept bunch of asparagus; solid circular plate attached vertically approximately 3 inches in front of second clamp, allowing user to align asparagus tips against plate. Lever is then depressed, causing clamps to tighten around bunch, allowing user to bind asparagus with twine or string.
Curatorial RemarksHenry I. Schanck (1867-1950) patented his “Handy” asparagus buncher (U.S. Patent No. 694,997) on March 11, 1902. At that time, spring asparagus was a profitable and popular market crop for Monmouth farmers, who sold the vegetable in the New York and Jersey markets. Previous bunching machines, although somewhat similar in design, required users to place the asparagus spears into the clamping device horizontally, often damaging or breaking off the spear tips. Schanck’s buncher used a simple-to-operate lever/spring mechanism to open the jaws of the clamping device, allowing the user to place spears in from the top, protecting the tips. In an advertisement for his buncher, Schanck stated that “all growers of asparagus who have used the ‘Handy Buncher’ are its enthusiastic supporters and pronounce it the most complete and efficient one ever put on the market.” Schanck, himself a farmer in Holmdel, apparently retired after the success of his invention. He and his wife Helen retired to Marlboro. After the success of Schanck’s asparagus buncher, numerous similar machines were introduced.NotesHenry Irving Schanck (alternatively spelled Schenck) was born in 1867 in Holmdel, the son of Lafayette and Sarah Schanck. The Association has a portrait of Henry's grandfather DeLafayette Schenck (please see accession number 1509). Schanck was a fascinating character and a lifelong inventor. Born and raised on a farm and himself an active farmer for many years, Schanck developed numerous agriculturally-related devices including a potato digger, crop sprayer, and the asparagus buncher of 1902. In addition to his farm-related inventions, Schanck also patented a folding umbrella, constructed batteries with which he powered not only electric lights on his parents' farm but his mother's sewing machine as well. In 1909, a local newspaper reported that "Holmdel's Genius Builds An Auto," describing Schanck's car as "an improvement over many styles of cars and makes very little noise." In 1920, Schanck sold his Holmdel farm and relocated to Marlboro, where he continued to farm on a small scale as well as run a the "Courtesy Shop," a tea room and restaurant on Main Street. Schanck died in 1950 at the age of 83. He was buried in the Old Brick Reformed Church Cemetery on Newman Springs Road in Marlboro.

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