Domestic Machines

We are proud to offer the following specially selected models
  
 UPDATED November 18, 2001

Click on the small image for a selection of detailed pictures of unsold machines

 

 

Canadian Waverley

This machine was sold on ebay

D1 American – also sold as The Andrews
When I was building up my collection I often had to make do with sad-condition rarities that could take many years to replace with a good version and it took me 10 years to find a better example of this machine. What we have is an extremely rare Victorian American cast-iron miniature, with a lot of the Willcox and Gibbs about it. Most of the paint and decoration have gone, just traces remaining near the wheel area. It appears to be complete and the arm does rock. Believe me, this one is worth rescuing. Glenda Thomas 2-219.

SOLD

D2 New England petal
This has to be the flower of any Victorian cast iron collection and probably dates from the 1860s, at latest early '70s. It's one of the many different small chain-stitch machines popularly called New Englands. But it has to be one of the prettiest. The stitch plate casting is cut in a petal shape and there are a lot of hand painted flowers on the stitch plate, machine head, etc. Just check out the pictures. I'll be sorry to see this one go. These New England machines used the Chas Raymond patent of a rocking hook to effect a very efficient chain stitch. Carter Bays 2-132.
SOLD

D3 Gresham Improved
Another lovely condition 1860s British machine that has "Patentee March 1867" Gresham & Craven, Manchester, No.25540 engraved on the stitch plate. It has a lot of gilding and red, green and gold "Star of David" designs on the wheel shield. Decoration is wonderful on the front base and back and even the spool winder. The wheel has lost some gold round half of its rim and 3/4 inches of thinning on the back of the top arm let down a near-perfect-condition machine. Slight foxing to the stitch plate. Looking at this machine it's difficult to appreciate how something can survive so well for 130 years. Carol Head page 20
.SOLD

D4 Little Howe
This is an interesting machine, it has a waisted bed similar to a Jones but wider with claw feet and an elegant long rocking arm. It turns up in England as a Little Howe and Little Starley in equal measure and wasn't sold in this version in America. Condition is reasonable rather than excellent, but again it dates from the 1860s/70s.
SOLD

D5 James Weir:
The heyday of Raymond/Weir machines was in the 1860s but a lot had happened in 10 years (witness the domestic computer market today) and the buying public expected more for its dollar. We do not know why Weir and Raymond broke their long and successful collaboration, Maybe salesman Weir (he went on to become a politician) wanted an improved version that he could cross sell via his existing customer base and Raymond was happy to keep the design as it was. Whatever, Raymond continued selling via other distributors and in 1872 Weir introduced this upgraded model. It had a far-more-sensitive tension mechanism mounted above the needle head and specially cut gears designed to quieten the machineÕs operation. This rare Weir variant is always popular and was one of the first to sell in our previous Christmas sale. Check out the pictures and do not hang around on this great example - it's good though used condition. Photocopy of original instruction leaflet included. Carol Head page 20.
SOLD
D6 Willcox & Gibbs
A nice clean, glossy1896 example of the ever-popular hand-crank English variant of the Willcox & Gibbs with a shiny nickel stitch plate and a heavy polished mahogany box that opens from the front rather than side. Normally we don't supply the ugly pine box than usually comes with the W&G as they are very heavy, need to be posted separately, and add considerably to the postage bill. But this box is top quality, and we're also including a complete set of tools in an original Willcox and Gibbs screen-printed tin.The heads were imported into the UK from America and the handcrank gantry and mahogony base added here by the company's English department. Carol Head page 24.
SOLD

D7 Moldacot
The smallest-ever lock-stich sewing machine was made for just two years 1886-87 and the story behind it is as fascinating at the machine itself. Tens of thousands of pounds were raised from the public when the machine was hyped on the stock market and it wasn't until the American trade press of the time started to ask awkward questions that the truth came out -- the machine was practically unworkable. Three factories had been given the job of making it and when the inevitable crash came everyone concerned – except the directors – lost their money. The full history of the Moldacot Enigma was researched by Graham Forsdyke. An original copy of the publication with data on every known mpdel, instructions, etc, will be provided with the machine. This is a particularly fine example with its original screen-printed box, screwdriver and the pair of tweezers used for handling that miniature shuttle and bobbin. Carol Head page 26.
SOLD

 

The small print
Please note that all machines come with free shipping and comprehensive insurance. Surface shipping which is used for the heavier models is via a combination of USPS and UKPS. It is totally reliable but can be slow. Leightweight machines weighing under 2 kilo packed are sent bby air. This usually takes between four and six days.It is possible to upgrade the heavier machines to air shipping for a small charge -- please enquire,