Antique & Patented
Early American Sewing Machines

Early, rare and desirable antique sewing machines that we are currently offering for sale are the main focus of this antique sewing machine page.

We always try to keep a good selection of these early and unusual patented sewing machines on hand, including hard-to-find early cast iron models.   You will  find German and other small cast iron travel and child-size sewing machines listed on the Toy Sewing Machine page. 

We also carry a good selection of  Singer Featherweight Sewing Machines which are a favorite with today's quilters and crafters, and they are listed on that separate page. 

The invention of the sewing machine in the mid-19th century played an  important role in the Industrial Revolution.  There has been ongoing debate about which inventor should  be recognized as the "father of the sewing machine".  This confusion stems in part from the simple fact that the idea of a "sewing machine" seems to have occurred almost simultaneously to inventors all over the world, or the concept had been stewing in folks minds for years. 

Elias Howe Jr. is one of the most commonly heard names associated with the invention and patents for early sewing machines.   He was granted some of the earliest patents but died penniless and endured the humiliation of seeing others profit from his idea.  Isaac Merrit Singer was a brilliant salesman as well as inventor, and he saw financial success because he was simply a shrewder businessman than most of his other sewing machine inventor counterparts. 

Other names tied to sewing machine development, patents for sewing machines, and their invention include Allen Benjamin Wilson, Thomas Saint, Newton Wilson, and Barthelemy Thimonnier. Information on them and many others can be found in the reference on he subject by Carter Bays whose book is in the 4th printing now or in the reference on early sewing machines by Grace Cooper that the Smithsonian sponsored.  

So while there is debate about who should be given credit for designing the first mechanized means of stitching together two pieces of fabric, there is no debate that these early antique sewing machines revolutionized daily household life in America and the rest of the world.

Patented Antique
Full Size American Sewing Machines

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• 1856 Patent Watson Sewing Machine  
• Early Paw Foot Ketchum Patent 1860's Sewing Machine
• Orvis & Williams Patented 1858 First Model Sewing Machine
• Lake Patent / Hancock Style Patented Sewing Machine
• Foley & Williams / F & W Automatic Sewing Machine
• Patented 1900-02 Spenser Sewing Machine
• 2 Different Spenser Sewing Machines
• Raymond Patent New England Style Sewing Machine
• 1857 Grey Patent "Ne Plus Ultra" Sewing Machine
• New England Style Sewing Machine
• "Weir" New England Style Sewing Machine   SOLD!

American
 Childs Size / Travel & Salesman Sample
Antique Cast Iron Sewing Machines

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During the late 1800's and early 1900's young girls were expected to learn to sew at an early age, and small portable hand crank sewing machines that could be used by youngsters were also widely marketed toward adults to use at home for mending as well as while traveling or vacationing.  Many just did a simple chain stitch, if you could get it to work, and were of dubious worth as real sewing machines, but that did not keep the manufactures from touting their usefulness in search of widening the market.   

• "Senorita" TSM Toy Sewing Machine
• American Gem Miniature Pat Appl'd For Sewing Machine  
• Midget Travel Size TSM Toy / Travel Sewing Machine
• Midget Travel Size TSM in Original Box
• Slightly Different Midget Travel Size TSM in Original Box
• Patented 1901 "Soezey"  TSM by Batchelor & Stenson
• Little Comfort Improved TSM by Smith & Egge in the Original Box
• Another Little Comfort Improved TSM by Smith & Egge w/ Round Body Style
• Smith & Egge Sewing Machine in Original Box
• Antique Smith & Egge Sewing Machine 
• "Baby" TSM / Travel Size Sewing Machine
• "Pony" TSM by Smith & Egge
• Little Comfort Chain Drive TSM Toy Sewing Machine

National Sewing Machine Co.
Stitchwell TSM's and Variants

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The Stitchwell TSM / Toy Sewing Machine by the National Sewing Machine Co. in Belvedere, Ill. is a well known and well made TSM that dates from the 20's. It is cast iron and a nice looking as well as nicely designed machine.  It pretty much marks the end of an era and after this most toy sewing machines either disappeared or turned to less expensive materials like sheet steel.

The challenge is to find all the different named variants that they made.  It may be an impossible task as it seems stores or distributers could special order these machines with any name wanted, and we have seen about a dozen or so different names over the years, with some only once like the one below marked "Emporium".  Below is a good beginning in the quest and includes some nice examples.   

• 3 "Stitchwell" TSM's, Some in Box
• Legal Stamps" Toy Sewing Machine   SOLD!
•  "Busy Bee" TSM
• "My Lady" Toy Sewing Machine
• "Wee" Toy Sewing Machine   SOLD!
• "Juvenile" Toy Sewing Machine   SOLD!
• "Emporium" Toy Sewing Machine   SOLD!
• "Little Lady" Toy Sewing Machine in Suitcase

Other Childs Size / Travel & Patented
Antique Sewing Machines

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• Tabitha 19th Century Patented Brass Sewing Machine
• La Queen Patented French Miniature Sewing Machine
• The Pearl Child Size Toy Sewing Machine
• Moldacot Sewing Machine w/ crank
• Early Moldacot Sewing Machine in Original Red Box Plunger Model
• "Ideal" British Patent C. 1920 Sewing Machine in Dome Box

For additional info about many early antique sewing machines and to view past sales results please visit our sister website www.AntiqBuyer.comand look at the informational sewing machine page and Past Sales Archives we have there.

For info on Sewing Machines we do not buy or deal in please see this PAGE.

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We want to Help you Sell Your quality Antiques

If you have a single antique, or a collection of antiques to sell please contact us at LCM@patented-antiques.com giving us your PHONE NUMBER  and other contact info and we will get back to you ASAP.

To view examples of the types of antiques and collectibles we have previously sold and are always interested in helping you sell please visit our Past Sales Archive Pages.

Please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.

Thanks!!

Larry & Carole