American Cast Iron Toy Sewing Machines
Past Sales Archives
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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.
Click for Pic Duquesne in the Box
Click for Pic Eldredge in the Box
Click for Pic Stitchwell
Click for Pic Wanamaker in the Box
Click for Pic Wee in the Box (box not pictured)
As a group the price..........$1750.00 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! Very 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 +................$350.00 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.
Very Good.........$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 +...............$450.00
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!
Very Good.............$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
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.................$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.
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