O1 Lakner
This super early French beauty is the oldest machine on offer in this Christmas sale. It dates from 1873 and was produced by Benoit Lakner in Paris. The machine has survived remarkably well, especially considering its fragile cast-iron construction. These early toys employed a walking-foot mechanism. Don't be confused by the twin spool pins. For some reason these figured on many early French toys but this is a simple single-thread chain-stitch machine. No picture of this model in Glenda Thomas but there are similar machines - all European owned - on page 98 of the second edition. Super rare - super condition for its age.
SOLD

O2 Lead
This Japanese clone of the ever-popular Singer 20 was produced shortly after WW2. This is a clean machine with good glossly paintwork with just a slight thinning of the trademark decals. Glenda Thomas 2.-498. This machine has no box. Price: $160 including insurance and shipping.

O3 Russian
I almost feel that the most fascinating thing about these well-made Russian toys is the fact that the American distributor found it necessary in most cases to remove the "Made in USSR" decal from the front of the base. This Cold War reaction production sometimes produces nasty scars but here there's just the faintest indication of where the dreaded symbol had once been. Paintwork is great but the cover under the wheel is enjoying Glastnos. The rather nasty typical Eastern Bloc fibre carton comes with the machine. Glenda Thomas 1-427. Price: $100 including insurance and surface-mail shipping.

O4 Piq Bien Luxe
For some reason French tin-plate toys haven't been as popular as their German counterparts but this one might help redress the balance. It has a bright blue-green hammer finish that seems to shimmer rather than shine. Every surface of the cardboard box lid is filled with blue, red and yellow graphics. There's a tear on one edge and a small hole in the top from previous clumsy packing. All in all a smart toy with which to begin a French connection. Glenda Thomas 2-304.
SOLD