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Whilst compiling a spreadsheet of Filofax organiser models and their production dates from the catalogues, I have been prompted to look at the manufacturing codes of the binders I own, and see if I can make sense of their dates.
ReplyDeleteThis has led me to the conclusion that the decoding previously suggested on Philofaxy seems to be incorrect; both in which of the three letters represents the year, and the origin from which the lettering starts.
https://philofaxy.blogspot.com/2023/02/cracking-qc-codes-clarification.html
My conclusion is that the third letter is the year code, and it starts at A=1989. Here is my rationale, using the codes from binders I own.
Model Code Range 1st,1991 3rd,1989
Pocket P5KLF CJB 1990-1991 C=1993 B=1990
Pocket P5KL CDB 1989-1991 C=1993 B=1990
Pocket P5KL CBB 1990-1991 C=1993 B=1990
Pocket P5KLF CHB 1990-1991 C=1993 B=1990
Pocket Lincoln P4 CCD 1992-1993 C=1993 D=1992
Pocket Sherwood P4 CEE 1992-1993 C=1993 E=1993
Pocket Sherwood P6 CKF 1994 C=1993 F=1994
Pocket Windsor P6 EGH 1996 E=1995 H=1996
Pocket Hamilton EEL 1999-2002 E=1995 L=2000
Pocket Rio EAR 2006 E=1995 R=2006
Pocket Metropol RHW 2004-2015 R=2008 W=2011
(apologies if this doesn't come out as the nice table it is meant to...)
Those single manufacturing (catalogue entry) year binders are quite diagnostic; especially the Rio, where the EAR would mean 1995 in 1st letter, 1991 origin, vs the catalogue date of 2006. The 'C' 1st letter for all the 4-ring P5 binders is also incorrect for the catalogue dates of 1990-1991, but gives the correct date using the 3rd letter, 1989 origin. The Hamilton also gives a wrong date for the first letter E=1995, whereas the model was not introduced until four years later. The 2011 date for the Metropol tallies with the copyright date of the inserts.
Since we think this is a manufacturing code, it is possible that the manufacturing year code is one year earlier than the catalogue date (i.e. 1990 catalogue products were manufactured in 1989), depending on their production vs catalogue schedule. But if we take the code to correspond to catalogue date, then the third letter, with origin A=1989 is a better fit than first letter with origin A=1991.
Admittedly, this is just from a sample of 11 binders, but all the decodes match, whereas 8 of the 11 fail for the 1st letter year decode, and it is not possible to adjust the origin to make all 1st letter decodes correct.
That brings us to the question of why the codes were introduced; 1988/9 corresponds to the big decline in fortunes for Filofax, after the period of rapid growth. So was this coding tied to the outsourcing of manufacture? Or just associated with the increase in production volumes, and associated change in practices?
Thoughts, anyone...?
Kevin
Where is the code on your pocket Windsor? I have a 6 ring pocket that ought to be about the same age as yours. I've combed every inch of it and cannot find the code anywhere.
DeleteOn the inside of the strap; that's where it is on all my binders, other than the 4-ring P5 Pockets, where it is embossed, in gold (which is odd, because the other, 'visible' details are plain embossed), on the inside of the left-hand secretarial pocket.
DeleteKevin
Nope it's not on the strap, unless it used to be and has worn off. The leather on this one hasn't held up well. Fun fact: the information printed on mine is also in gold, but not embossed. Weird. It does say it was made in England.
DeleteHello! I have a question about Krause rings. I hope it is not off topic😅. I got my found an old brown leather pocket rings a while ago, and it has a silver krause ring mechanism. There is no brand on the organizer, but there is a very small rectangular mark on the left inside pocket where the brand name possible was glued on, maybe? The left side has a pocket with a paisley patterned fabric inside, and a slot for a card. On the right inside there is a zipper pouch, and a leather pen loop. It looks fairly old and battered. Would love to know what kind of ring organizer it is and if anyone could point me in some kind of direction I would be very grateful!
ReplyDelete