This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
Stitchwell
/ National Sewing Machine Co. Variant Collection
The National Sewing Machine Co. of Belvidere,
Illinois was the brainchild of a fellow named Barnabas Eldredge. Like
other shrewd entrepreneurs of his day, he seemed to catch on quickly to the
notion that you could sell more of the same thing if you marketed it under different
names with slight variations in design, making for a toy sewing machine collector's
dream! All of these cast iron machines feature geared handwheels but there
are several variations in design. All of them have the round sewing plate.
Each body is highly decorated with beautiful and colorful geometric patterns
and designs. The standard name on these machines was "Stitchwell" but
you could apparently order a machine that was personalized for an individual,
and several ingenious department stores jumped on the advertising and promotional
bandwagon and had machines personalized with their company names. Realizing
that one could assemble a fascinating collection
by attempting to acquire all the different variations,
I decided to try! And although there are many more to be found, here are
five different variations we are offering for sale to get you well on your way
.
All are in excellent condition, four of the five are in their original boxes,
and original instructions and clamps are included with several as well.
Excellent . . . . As a group the price . . . . . $1795.00 SOLD
Rare
Spenser Sewing Machine with Auxiliary Crank
It is not often that this machine is found
complete with its auxiliary speed mechanism. It is a geared affair that
attaches to the base of the machine and efficiently converts one turn of the
geared wheel into about three revolutions of the inner handcrank. The machine
itself is marked with the Spenser name, denoting the Boston, MA firm, as well
as with several patent dates. The condition of the black paint is good
although slightly dull in finish. The metalwork is darkened a bit, showing
some loss of nickel. The speed attachment base has had a professional
repair which is hardly discernable, right at the skinniest portion of the base.
It was silver soldered / welded to be as strong as new, and then carefully finished
smooth and repainted. The solid gear wheel of the auxiliary mechanism
is marked "Pat. Apl'd For". This piece is priced to account for the one
apology---it's a rare one!
Good ..... $695.00 SOLD
Smith
& Egge Automatic Antique Sewing Machine in the Box
It has been said that Mr. Egge had the reputation of being one of the best and
most ingenious mechanics in the country, while Mr. Smith was active in local
politics. Together they formed a company headquartered in Bridgeport,
Connecticut that manufactured, among other things, some of the finest hand sewing
machines of their day. This example is stamped with the Smith & Egge Automatic
model name on a textured plate attached to the front of the machine. Dating
from right around 1900, it comes complete with its very unusual original cardboard
box. After 100 or so years the box, as would be expected, is in fragile
condition. The lid has been reinforced with tape on the inside, it is
missing one side flap, and there is a fairly good size ding in it as you can
see from the picture. But the image of the Victorian-era woman operating
her sewing machine while sitting in a wicker chair is absolutely charming!
The machine itself is as close to perfect as it could possibly be---I think
it would rate a 10 on anyone's condition chart. It is complete with the
original clamp and tattered, though still readable, instructions. This
one is definitely special!
Excellent ..... $495.00 SOLD
F
& W Reliable Cast Iron Sewing Machine
This unusual Foley & Williams sewing machine was marketed as a machine that
was reliable enough to be used by adults, yet small enough to be used by children.
It is the version with the geared handwheel rather than the simple cam-type
hand crank. This example shows some nickel loss and a bit of paint loss
on the base, but the floral decoration and the Reliable decal are good.
The tension assembly and the spool pin have been professionally remade by The
Watkins with the same precision as the originals.
Good ..... $395.00 SOLD
American
"Baby" Antique Toy Sewing Machine
This small
cast iron toy sewing machine is a favorite among collectors. The word
"Baby" is clearly stamped on the stitch plate along with patent dates from 1882,
1883, and 1894. The presser foot on this machine is very distinctive with
its curled up edges meant as a patented feature to protect little fingers.
This example is complete with the needle and ready to display.
Excellent ..... $295.00 SOLD
Little
Comfort Improved Hand Sewing Machine in Box
The Smith & Egge Co. of Bridgeport, CT made several
versions of their "Little Comfort" sewing machine. Their "Improved" model
featured a geared handwheel rather than the chain-drive or the direct-drive
versions of their other machines. This is a really well-designed, well-built,
sturdy little machine. It measures only about 7" tall but with it's oversized
base for stability it is quite a bit heavier than many of the other cast iron
"toy" machines. It was no doubt marketed as a "real" working machine capable
of doing all sorts of mending jobs by adults as well as being a first machine
for young girls. Note the interesting spool pin which requires that you
push down on the spring-loaded mechanism to release it from the locked position
in order to insert the spool of thread. It also has a complex tensioner
that is activated by the up-and-down motion of the upper arm as the machine
is cranked. The stitchplate is marked with the Little Comfort name on
the angled front edge as well as with the patent dates of 1896 and 1897.
This example is complete with the seam guide, the needle, the clamp, and a very
tattered cardboard box. And although the metal work on a portion of the
stitchplate and one spot on the handwheel show some loss of nickel plating and
a little texture, the rest of the metal parts are bright and shiny original
nickel, and the black paint on the body is excellent, so overall it displays
well.
Good + ..... $495.00 SOLD
F
& W Automatic Cast Iron Antique Sewing Machine
This machine, produced by the Foley and Williams Co. of Chicago, dates from
just before the turn of the 20th century. At first glance you will notice
a similarity in the design of the rounded double upper arm to that of the popular
Wilcox and Gibbs sewing machine. But the F & W is a significantly smaller
sewing machine, marketed both as a child's machine and for family mending, and
unlike the Wilcox and Gibbs the F & W was produced for just a short period of
time. This example is in nice condition with pretty gold and red decoration.
As with many of this model machine, the spool pin is missing but replacements
are available. The groove in the gearwheel suggests that the machine was
made to be run either by hand or hooked up to a belt or treadle. This
one will display nicely amongst your other Victorian-era sewing machines!
Very Good ..... $495.00 SOLD
Smith
& Egge "Cordova" Chain Drive Cast Iron Sewing Machine
Very few chain-driven sewing machines were manufactured no doubt due to the
higher cost of manufacture. You occasionally find them marked "Smith &
Egge Automatic" and sometimes marked as "Little Comfort", but seldom found or
offered for sale is the version labeled with the "Cordova" nameplate.
There is no question that this machine was one of the Smith & Egge variations---aside
from the obvious resemblance it is clearly stamped with the manufacturer's name
and patent information on the stitchplate. This example is in excellent
original condition with shiny black paint and bright metal parts showing no
rust or corrosion. This antique sewing machine dates from around 1897
so it is remarkable to see one of these hard-to-find models in such outstanding
condition. It is definitely a top-shelf item you'll be proud to show off!
Excellent ..... $495.00 SOLD
Gem
on "Treadle" Legs Sewing Machine
This seldom seen small American cast iron sewing machine has a uniquely designed
base that was meant to resemble a treadle stand, and is a favorite among collectors.
This example is all-original with no breaks or cracks in the casting, and although
the decoration is somewhat faint, the paint is very good. It is marked
"Pat App For" and it's operation is flawless. This machine is sure to
be a standout in any sewing machine collection!
Excellent ..... $1950.00 SOLD
Peerless
Automatic Antique Cast Iron Sewing Machine
When it comes to marketing and advertising it seems that the more things change,
the more they stay the same! The Smith & Egge Manufacturing Co. of Bridgeport,
CT, like so many of its other competitors of the day, made several variations
of the same basic sewing machine, giving each variation a different and very
carefully chosen model name that was sure to inspire confidence in the buying
public. The "Peerless" is one you don't find very often. The basic
difference between this model and the more typical Smith & Egge models that
you see is that the name is cast into the base rather than stamped on an applied
steel plate. This example is in really nice condition and although the
accompanying wooden box is missing the lid and has had some repair to the bottom,
it did its job of protecting the machine for the last hundred or so years.
There are original instructions included though they are just a bit tattered.
Not one that comes along very often!
Excellent ..... $350.00 SOLD
Little
Comfort Chain Drive Sewing Machine
Not a lot of these chain-driven cast iron machines were produced, as most
manufacturers of the little cast iron machines took the cheaper route of designing
simpler, less costly drive mechanisms. These small machines were marketed
as real machines to be used by adults for mending work as well as toys to inspire
young girls learning to sew. This example operates flawlessly and is in
excellent condition. The black paint is shiny and clean and the metalwork
is bright and shiny with no rust. if you are looking for an example that
is close to perfect this is it!
Excellent ..... $395.00 SOLD
"The
Pansy" Integral Clamp Sewing Machine
This vintage sewing machine, the Pansy, is
the only type I can think of that has its name in cutout letters in the cast
iron frame work. In addition to having the built in or integral clamp, this
machine, with its cutout name in the frame, has special meaning for us because
of these two features combined. We buy all sorts of cast iron antiques
and vintage collectibles that have this "cutout" characteristic---tools, wrenches,
a sausage stuffer, latch rug machines, trivets, eggbeaters, etc. This
is an extremely rare model sewing machine and one of the few that we have ever
seen.
Excellent ..... $1295.00 SOLD
Goodes
Patent Toy Sewing Machine
On March 19, 1872 Ebenezer A. Goodes
was granted a patent on what he called "a new and useful toy sewing machine".
This is considered to be one of the very earliest American toy sewing machines
made, and old Ebenezer was rightfully proud of his accomplishment, prominently
stamping the patent date within a star-studded patriotic shield right in the
center of the stitchplate. This is a great looking sewing machine because
of its diminutive size and delicate, graceful lines. It is ingeniously
simple in mechanics, utilizing a cam and the simple revolving motion of the
handwheel to impart back-and-forth motion to the thread looper, while the "walking"
needle accomplishes the task of fabric transport. The condition of this
example is everything we could have ever hoped for!
Excellent ..... $995.00 SOLD
The
Pony Cast Iron Round Sewing Machine
This small sewing machine at first glance looks
to be the same as the round wooden Triumph-type machines, however the body of
this model is all cast iron, and this version is much harder to find.
It is only the second example I have ever owned---the story of the first one
is good for a laugh. Larry saw it in the window of an antique shop in
Hudson, NY with a price tag of $100 on it. Next to this rare machine was
an ordinary Singer Model 20 with the same price on it. The only problem was
that it was a Monday and the shops were all closed. The next morning I
raced back to the shop to be sure to be there when the doors opened lest someone
else get to it first. I was delayed a bit along the way when I was pulled
over by highway patrol for speeding, and the resulting ticket and hike in my
car insurance ended up costing me quite a bit more than the machine. Regrettably,
I sold that machine to another collector who later had the nerve to complain
to me that it wasn't in quite as good condition as she would have liked it to
be---but she also wouldn't take up my offer to sell it back to me. I guess
the good stuff is worth waiting for because this example came to me complete
with the original box and clamp, and although it cost me substantially more
than the first one I still feel lucky to have had second chance!
Excellent ..... SOLD
The
Tourist Sewing Machine
This super rare and
super condition sewing machine is the first example of a Tourist we have ever
had the opportunity to own, and it took a complicated and lengthy trade
negotiation to accomplish it. The condition is second to none.
Excellent ..... $3295.00 SOLD
Small
"Linnea" Antique Sewing Machine The "Linnea"
sewing machine
was manufactured in Chicago, Illinois by Bergbom & Roberg and I imagine it must
have been named for the daughter or wife of one of the company's bigwigs!
It is a lovely small handcrank machine that dates from the 1920's, and it is one
that is not very frequently found. The most distinctive feature of this antique
machine is its elegant footed base outfitted with a little wooden and tin drawer
for holding thread and accessories. I have only had this machine twice in
the past, and both times the drawer was either missing or had been re-made.
This example is complete with the original drawer. Overall the condition is
very good, although there is some loss to the gold decals and some have turned silvery
from cleaning. But it still looks great and retains over 80% of it's original
paint and decoration.
Good . . . . . $695.00 SOLD
This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
This website is Copyrighted
(1998 -
2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker