American
Gem Sewing Machine This is a great looking,
and very hard to find
antique child size sewing machine. The overall condition is good +. The
black japanned finish is nice with minor losses at the base and along the
edges.
The white and yellow Daisy decoration running around the perimeter, up the arm,
and in the center of the sewing table show shows some wear. Over the
years we have seen quite a few of these sewing machines and the decoration on almost
all has been different on each machine, indicating they were hand-done. Some
have birds, others have red, green and gold grape-like vines, but this example
w/ daisy
decoration is certainly one of the nicest and most elaborate flower motifs we have
seen or had.The American Gem cast iron sewing machine has a interesting design base that was meant to resemble a real treadle stand. It is unique among toy sewing machines in this respect, and this design sewing machine is a favorite with toy sewing machine collectors and collectors of early full-size machines as well. It is approx 6" across the legs, and stands about 9" tall.
The sewing plate on this example is marked "Pat. Apld For", and in both of the references on sewing machines I have there is no information on the actual maker or any further patent information. I would estimate this machine to date from the 1880's or so from the look and decoration. It sews a simple chain stitch like other early machines from this era, and a special note should be made that it has oil or lubrication holes at the important bearing points, a feature that would indicate this machine was also marketed as a small working machine for seamstresses and not a simple toy.
This sewing machine is all-original with no breaks or cracks in the casting and it has not been touched up or restored. This early sewing machine is sure to be a standout in any sewing machine collection! And a really fine addition of Americana for your collection!
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Very Good . . . . . . . . $1295.00
IOWA-GEM-1
"Senorita"
Patented Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The Senorita is one of the rarest of all child size
patented sewing machines. This is the only one I have ever seen, and
there is not one pictured in either of Glenda Thomas's books on sewing
machines.
There is a reference to one in Thomas's second book in an
ad for the "Cupid" sewing machine, another rare machine that also hailed from
Chicago. That ad refers to the A. M. Crane co as a distributer for
the Cupid Mfg.. Co. but this machine is marked Patented and A. M. Crane Mfg.
so there is research to be done to figure out exactly what the relationship
is between these two machines, and names. The ad indicates that this
machine was being marketed towards invalids who were not able to use treadle
sewing machines, and that it was a high gear rapid stitcher, the equal to any
other machine costing $60.00 or more. Marketing at its finest.
The sole reference I could find using Google gave the date as approx 1901
but there was no other info than a line listing.
The
condition of this "Senorita" sewing machine fabulous. The black
japanned fiish is excellent, as are the colorful gold decals running up the
column on both sides. The manufactures name and patent info are on the
base under the sew plate.
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Excellent . . . . . . . . $1795.00
IOWA-SENORITA
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"Midget" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The "Midget"
TSM is a well known early toy or travel size sewing machine.
The condition of this machine is very nice. It is hard to find them in
this nice condition, and harder again to find them in their original box w/
instructions and other accessories. Even more difficult is to
find one with the decoration variant. The body decoration is
Calla Lilies and this variation is very rare. I have had and seen hundreds of other
Midgets and similar machines made by Foley & Williams, but this is only the second one
of these with this style decoration that I have had or seen in all those
years.
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Very Good ........ $495.00
IOWA-MCLIL
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Smith & Egge Toy
/ Travel Size / Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The Smith & Egge TSM is a well known early toy or travel
size sewing machine that dates from near the turn of the century. The condition of this
TSM sewing machine is very nice.
These were marketed as toys, travel sewing machines, and as full use sewing
machines at different times. As with other things marketed too heavily, it was not the
perfect piece for any role, but at $1.00 or $2.00 it must have appealed to
the consumer
and a lot of them were made and sold. An amazing number of this style
sewing machine turn up in their original boxes attesting to how little they
were used. A nice example in the box, with clamp.
Ready to display.
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Very Good ........ $295.00
IOWA-SMTHEGG-1
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Smith & Egge Toy
/ Travel Size / Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
This Smith & Egge sewing machine is pretty nice.
The name plate on the bottom has been cleaned to the point that the nickel
is gone and just brass shows. It still looks fine, and will display nicely.
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Good ........ $195.00
IOWA-SMTHEGG-3
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"Midget" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
This example of a F&W Midget TSM shows some wear to the
decorations, but overall is quite nice. It still retains its
original box and the instruction sheet, though it is in pieces. A nice
machine in respectable condition and ready for the collection.
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Good +........ $375.00
IOWA-M-BOX-2
"Midget" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
This Midget sewing machine shows minimal wear to the
decorations. The pic is a bit fuzzy so be sure to look at the
last one to see how nice it still is. The spool pin seems to be
missing.
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Good +. . . . . . . . $225.00
IOWA-MIDGET-3
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"Little
Comfort Improved" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The "Little Comfort Improved"
TSM is a well known early toy or travel size sewing machine. This one is in
its original colorful red cardboard box. It was made by the Smith & Egge
Co. There are several variations or versions of this machine, including a
chain drive model, one with a rounded body, this square bodied version, and
more. From reading the info on this box we learn that over 50,000 were
made. These can be found with different numbers on the boxes, and some
have the price of $2.00 or $2.50 as well.
The condition if this example is super with over 95% of the original finish intact. The box is pretty nice for something
made of cardboard that is over 100 years old. These machines can be found in lesser condition pretty regularly,
but do not turn up in this condition very often. A nice example to add to the collection.
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Very Good ........ $475.00
IOWA-LCI
"Baby"
Toy / Travel Size / Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The "Baby" TSM is a chain stitch TSM from near the
turn of the century. The paint on this one is great, and I have never
seen one that had any decoration or highlighting, so this would be original
and considered to be in very good condition. The name and some
patent info are stamped into the sew plate. It is nicer than
it looks in the blurry pic.
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Very Good ........ $195.00
IOWA-BABY
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"Little
Comfort Improved" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The "Little Comfort Improved" TSM is a well known early
toy or travel size sewing machine. This is the round body version. The
improved designation refers to the slant in the table I think, as you can
find flat plates as well.
The condition is OK and I
believe this machine has been re-painted. A nice example to add to the collection.
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Very Good ........ $195.00
IOWA-LCI-2
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"Soeasy" Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
The "Soeasy"
TSM is a hard to find early toy or travel size patented sewing machine.
It has a great look, and is one of the few TSM's that has a built-in
or integral clamp to mount it to the table.
It was
patented on Nov. 20th 1900, July 2nd 1901 and again in 1902. This
machine can also be found marked "The Dollar Machine" most likely
because that is what it cost at the time. They were made and offered
by the Batchelor & Stenson Co. of New York. The version pictured
in Glenda Thomas's book has just two patent dates on the sew plate so this
must have been a later model. I did not look up the last patent to see
what change had been made, but that is an easy process now that Google
Patent Search is available.
The condition of this machine is very nice with nearly all of its original
finish.
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Very Good ........ $1295.00
IOWA-SOEASY
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Little
Comfort Chain Drive TSM Toy / Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Sewing Machine
This little sewing machine is chain driven. Smith & Egge
made this machine, and as with many of their other machines offered it in
several configurations. In every instance the chain drive models are less
common than the other styles.
The condition is very good.
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Very Good ........ $295.00
IOWA-LCCD-1
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Pony TSM
/ Travel Size
/ Child-Size Antique Toy Sewing Machine
This TSM was also made by Smith & Egge. It is
similar to their other machines like the Liberty and the Midget, but far less common.
There is another machine marked "Pony" that is a bit larger and round like a
Triumph, but metal.
The condition is very good.
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Very Good ........ $395.00
IOWA-PONY