filofax 4CLF 7/8IG iguana purple

One of my rarest finds to date is this purple 4CLF 7/8 IG (Iguana). For me it's a real treat to see this beautiful filofax, mainly because binders from the 70's and 80's were mostly black and shades of brown, with the odd green and blue one. This filofax is in unused condition and is simple stunning, though some evidence of minimal sunlight dyeing to the exterior, but the interior is as near to perfect as it could be.

Vintage filofax insert pages

Before everything was linked via WiFi and broadband, keeping track and reminders were naturally written down. I find many of the vintage filofax or other branded inserts fascinating, probably partly because I enjoy putting pen to paper, and the act of writing it down seems to embed a bit deeper.
Here are some examples that you just don't see anymore.

Filofax jot pad wallet

Could this be the smallest leather item from filofax?
Deluxe smooth leather jot pad wallet holds up to two jot pads and measures just 95 x 63mm. Will fit into any pocket, even a shirt chest pocket. The unstructured deluxe leather has two interior sleeves for the jot pads, though one could be used for a pad and the other for one or two cards, therefore I can see this being useful to me when travelling light.

Vintage filofax

The filofax DIY index system

Filofax vintage 4BLCF Billingham personal

Now and then I come across something from filofax, that I have not seen before and this is one of them, the Billingham  4BLCF 7/8 has calf leather interior and exterior, but as you can see the it has panels on the front and rear of a canvas material.
Not too elegant was my first thought and that has not changed much. However after refurbishing it and adding some papers, I have started to warm to it. It feels great to hold as has no structure and looks nicely understated. Anyway you can decide what you think, but for now I shall hang onto it.

Filofax Osterley

The Osterley filofax is a must for those whom love the crocodile style leather lovers. Available in various filofax sizes (pocket, compact, slimline, personal, and A5) and in at least three colours (brown, Plum & orange/tan).
Although quite firm to touch the leather will soften with use and is still durable. As with many filofax binders the design is quite minimal, as in the binder is basically one or two pieces of leather, with rings in the middle. That's sounds like a negative but it's not, as this allows for all but the A5 to fit in your hand or bag with comparative ease, which if on the move is what you want.

The Osterley was a top of the range binder in the naughties and thus the cost was high. Its made from Italian leather and features a bronze like popper upon the clasp. There are two pen loops on all models and several sleeves internally. The filofax rings are changeable and serviceable as they are not riveted.

Filofax Ascot

This is a beautiful American made Ascot in stunning blue leather. Although it has done a service it is still glorious to look at and use. The leather shines and its colour is rich. With two leather pen loops, card sleeves, a zipped pocket and large 30mm rings its also very practical.

Very rare now but if you are lucky enough to find one in great condition, it will somehow seem fantastic value against the cost of a new filofax.

filofax Scanda personal size

A quite rare and unusual filofax. Rare due to its original high cost and unusual for two reasons, firstly this filofax has a closure strap as opposed to a popper of zip closure. Secondly the appearance of the distressed leather, tells the eye that its hard, tough or coarse. That is until you handle it and you find that it is soft, cushioned and flexible.

Brown in colour with blue accents, sounds odd but it works. Inside there are two pen loops, six card sleeves, larger document sleeve and a large flexible cash or document pouch or sleeve at the back. The 23mm ringshave a leather cover to the ring plate, a feature I have only seen upon the "Luxe" model previously.

The strap closure actually works quite well, I say that as I had previously imagined that this method of keeping the papers in place, meant that you had to limit what was contained or it may come undo during handling or on the move, but the strap on the Scanda seems to stay in place, even if you fill the rings with inserts.

I have not come across this model in other sizes and I suspect that it was only made in personal size.
(171 x 95mm inserts)

Lefax Facts Highway & Surveying Tables

The information available in the form of a Lefax binder, many years ago was so amazing and interesting. The example I have here is a personal sized binder Leaf & facts for Highway & Surveying Tables, is crammed full of calculations for the road and bridge building engineer.
The original owner L D Purdin used this during the 1940's and the binder still contains the pencil notes made when it was in use. Remarkably the binder is still in one piece. I have taken a few pictures so that you can get an idea of the amount of information contained within the Lefax.

Gillio firenze leather planners

I must admit to being fairly new to Gillio products, but better late than never. My first Gillio was a Green and cream Compagna, purchased from a lovely lady on ebay in 2017. As soon as I received it I could understand why there were so many passionate Gillio owners out there. The leather is probably the best I have seen upon a leather binder, and certainly in the same league as The Bridge, some Franlkin and Van Der Spek leathers. Since then I am now the proud owner of several and all being the Medium Compagna version, as for me this is the most versatile and practical model for those using personal size (171 x 95mm) inserts. There are other alternatives available, from Mini to A5, including genuine A6 binders for papers 150mm long.

The Gillio binders are handmade and available in such a wide range of coloured leathers, but that comes at a price as the colour you may want, may not be on the shelf, thus you may have to wait months for it to become available. That said I believe you will found a style and colour that you will like within quite a short time, as Gillio seem to release a few each month.

The cost of the binders is higher than most, with a new Compagna costing around £250 subject to the exchange rate of euros. Smaller Mini and pocket versions of course cost less and larger A5 Mia Cara versions, have a price tag of around £600. Arguable you will only ever need one, because the quality is very good indeed. I have had reason to contact Gillio, regarding a couple of issues and they have sorted them as quickly as was possible, so that was also reassuring also.

If you do decide to own and use a Gillio leather binder, I am confident that you will not be disappointed.

Refurbishing a 2MLF 7/8 vintage filofax

I recently received a vintage filofax that was in need of a little TLC. The filofax 2MLF 7/8 in black Moroccan leather was structurally good but had the button missing, rust spots on the ring plate and was very dirty.
I set to work on the rings first, these were nice and tight and snapped shut, therefore I removed the ring plate using a blade and a plastic card to protect the leather. I cleaned the inside mechanism and oiled lightly. I scraped the rust spots from the ring plate and cleaned with a mild household cleaner, buffing with a micro fibre cloth.

The leather as I said was dirty and needed a good leather cleaner to remove the grime, but it came off to reveal little in the way of wear. Once dry I buffed the leather and replaced the ring plate, this left just the button. I had a spare filofax button from a damaged filofax, so I prepared the popper on the filofax, by removing any debris from the original button, cleaned and applied the replacement button using super glue. after a minute or two it was sound in position. Apart from tidying a few threads my work was done and I am chuffed with the results and hope you like the filofax 2MLF 7/8 Black.