Early American
Patented Antique Sewing Machines
Early Paw Foot Style Sewing Machine This
style of "paw foot" sewing machine is known by several different names and comes
in a number of different variations.
This version is one of the originals, and marked "Ketchum's Patent" with a mid 1860's patent date on the needle plate on the top. This patent covers the stitch mechanism, and similar sewing machines can also be found marked "Shaw & Clark" or "Wilson", just two of the many competitors in the early sewing machine market.
Paw Foot Machines of this style date from the mid 1860's and were still being produced into the late 1870's before more standardized and advanced designs pushed them from the market. Many of these machines are found with no maker or patent information on them and they are most probably knockoffs trying to avoid patent infringements. Some of those machines are very nicely done
This style of these antique sewing machine is often described by the shape of the pillar or column, and this one would be known as a fire hydrant model. Other typically seen styles are the fluted column model, the skinny column, the open or closed square column, and others. (Too see other examples check the sales archive pages) The operation and design of all are pretty much the same. This type of antique sewing machine forms a single thread chain stitch utilizing no bobbin or second thread to form a lockstitch. Their attractive designs and decoration make them highly sought after, but they are typically found in horrible condition with little remaining paint or decoration. This example on the other hand is quite nice with approximately 80%-90% of the original paint and decoration remaining. A nice example and worthy of a place in any collection. Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
ML-sew-1
Good ++ ........$1295.00
Bartlett
Sewing Machine This rare machine has retained almost all of its gold
decoration - even where the clamp holds the machine to a table. (This area is almost always badly worn.) There is some
minor rust on the cloth plate which will clean. There is a small part
of the mechanism underneath that is missing and I have pictured this area.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
BC-sew-1
Good ++ ........$900.00
Gold
Medal Sewing Machine This machine is still in its original shipping
box which is addressed, "J. C. Hovey Millbridge, ME in large script on the
top. The machine and box are in excellent condition with the machine
retaining 95% of its original paint and gold decoration. These are
often found with most of the original finish missing, and this is a very
nice and desirable machine in this condition.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
BC-sew-2
Good ++ ........$950.00
Grover
& Baker Portable Sewing Machine This circa 1856 early patented sewing
machine was the first sewing machine offered as a portable sewing machine.
These machines were sold, and are more typically seen, on a complete treadle
stand.
The workmanship was outstanding; and all parts move smoothly and the solid brass finials were an indication of the quality of this early patented sewing machine. It was a very expensive machine for its time and it was not until later when machines were mass produced and competition between the remaining few makers brought the prices down to what can be seen in early Sears or other distributors' catalogs from a later era. The contents of the drawer exhibit an extra needle and a wooden wedge, which was used to connect an optional foot pedal to the flywheel handle. A nice machine in nice condition, and a pretty hard example to come by these days. Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
BC-sew-3
Good ++ ........$2500.00
Lead
Sewing Machine This small c.1900 sewing machine sports a rather
elaborate and decorative stamped needle bar cover. It looks to be a copper
flash finish and has a great look. The original box retains almost all of
the original stencils, but there is a bit of damage on the back (see the
picture). I have had and seen many other smaller machines with the
name Lead on them, but this is the first this size or model I have ever
seen, and believe it to be quite unusual.
Click
for Pic
Click
for Pic
Click
for Pic
Click
for Pic
Click
for Pic
Click
for Pic
BC-sew-4
Good ++ ........$450.00
Singer
#1 Sewing Machine on Stand The Singer name is the most common and
recognizable of all sewing machine makers, and this is the first machine
that was offered by them. It is a rare and hard to find piece.
It is debatable as to whether Singer actually designed or patented the first sewing machine. It is not debatable that he was the giant in the promotion game of his machines and Singer went on to become the leading maker through those efforts.
The #1 Singer sewing machine is a large and graphic example of one of the first commercially produced machine in America. There are several other machines from this era that look very much the same. This model sewing machine was made for just a few short years before Singer introduced what is referred to as the Turtleback model, which was followed by the Family model.
After that most Singer machines became pretty standardized machines with different models offered up in the true tradition of Capitalism and the thought that the consumer would buy a new and improved version that was pretty much the same with a new number or look to entice that prospective buyer. It worked.
This historic c1855 sewing machine is special in two ways. It was the first model that Singer produced and was operated originally by hand (and still can be). And------
It was placed on this treadle stand so that the hands would be free to guide the work. The stand itself is a rarity, as it features only one foot instead of the usual two-foot pedals and it has built in stops or bosses at the corners of the top to accept this machine or several other early sewing machines that were offered during this period. I believe it was made and offered for sale by an enterprising inventor type who saw the writing on the wall about the coming of treadle model machines. The pittman rod is a careful restoration. Click for Pic Click for Pic
BC-sew-5
Good ++ ........$7800.00
"Skinny
Pillar" Shaw & Clark / Bachelder Sewing Machine This small patented
sewing machine is the hardest to find of the series of machines made by Shaw &
Clark of Biddeford, Maine. This machine has a great informational plaque on the end
of the arm and there are patent dates from as early as 1845 found there.
It also mentions that it was made by Shaw & Clark under license from Singer,
Howe, Wilson, and Grover & Baker, who must have owned the patents used for
various parts of this machine's design. These machines can also be
found with larger pillars, or in the fire hydrant style, or with closed or
open square pillars.
The condition of this one is not great. There is almost no paint or decoration remaining, and there are parts of the mechanism missing from the bottom, the spool pin, and the presser foot. It is a rare and historically significant machine though, and one which does not appear on the market very often these days. Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
FD-sew-1
Good ++ ........$595.00
Wilcox
& Gibbs "Noiseless" Electric Sewing Machine The
Wilcox & Gibbs is one of the most commonly found and most recognizable
sewing machines there is. It is also one of the machines most often thought
of as early and rare because of its early look. They are a nice machine and
have a great early look, but there are plenty of them around. But not
in this nice condition. I field questions on these sewing machines on an almost daily basis
asking about their age and value.
There are many different models or variations of this machine available and they were in constant production for over 100 years. There were hand crank models, treadles, and electric models. The makers had a good design, and stuck with it for many years.
This electric "noiseless" model dates from the 20's or so, and is in the nicest and most complete condition I have ever seen. This machine has sat in a closet in its protective box for 80 years or so and looks it. The original paint and decoration are near 100%. There are numerous accessories with it as can be seen in the pics. It appears the reason it is so nice is that the foot pedal on the rheostat broke off early in its life, and the owner never bothered to have it repaired and went out an bought a different machine instead. It does not look like it was ever used. I have seen and walked by these foot pedal rheostats at flea markets and shows so they are available. This machine will make a good user for the person who wants a vintage machine, or it will be the highlight of the Wilcox line in the complete sewing machine collectors inventory. It is a beauty.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
ML-sew-2
Good ++ ........$395.00 SOLD!
We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category.
If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.