Early 1860s Mme Demorest Running Stitch Sewing Machine For Sale

Greetingsfolks, while it\'s been many months since I listed items from the barns andgarages of my parents’ 60+ years of collecting (120+ years collectively), I\'mhere for another round of incredible collectibles that you simply won\'t findanywhere else. They had good taste and bought and warehoused anythingthey fancied. Sadly, I am left to sell these things off. I likereal \"sale style\" sales meaning that the opening offer isreasonable, which is why (by comparison sometimes), the opening offer might seemsuspiciously low. :-)

Herewe have a rare and early (1860s) MME DEMOREST Running Stitch (Sewing)Machine. It seems that the Mme DemorestRunning Stitch Machine was based on Aaron Palmer\'s design which was also usedfor Gold Medal, Fairy and Little Gem sewing machines. All popular in their day.

It\'sportable, might have been used for field repairs by Civil War soldiers or by the happy homemaker. Patented on May 13, 1862 andit says so right on the front of the little wonder. When new, this was either gilded or heavilypainted with gold paint (the relief of Mme Demorest would have really lookedlovely like that), but most of the gilding/paint has been worn off. I don\'t have the box, instructions or needles or anything else that would have been included in its original purchase.

Thecrank to feed the material works great, the clamp or vice on the back worksfine, but two elements of this early portable sewing machine are notperfect. First, the screw of the screwfeed, while it is present is a little bent so you can screw it back and forth to apoint, but to completely screw and unscrew it, the screw needs to be straightened. Next, the little strap or piece of metal that holds thelittle edge guide or foot (that\'s the little piece that looks like itwould hold the cigarette in an ashtray and I\'m only calling it an edge guidebecause a website where this little gem allegedly sold for $1,750calls it an edge guide and I\'d like to think at that price they know what they\'re talkingabout) is bent so that the edge guide moves or wobbles or spins arounda little. I\'m guessing that could bestraightened out by folks with more skill and understanding than me.

It seems that this machine was really used tocreate a running stitch - gather material and run a needle through it. If you\'d like to read more about it from theexperts and/or collectors, simply Google it - there\'s a great website with thepatent diagrams of it and a history as well as a few websites offering the MmeDemorest for sale for beaucoup prices.

I\'mnot sure, but I think it\'s made of iron because the little gizmo weighs about1.3 lbs. It measures approximately5.25\" long, a little over 4.25\" wide but with the crank up and thevice screw on the back, it is a little more than 6\" deep. It will be shipped in a box packed tightlywith crinkle paper.

Noreturns. Sorry, but I\'m trying to reduce the thousands of antiques andrare collectibles that have been stored for FOREVER, so I don\'t want them backafter you\'ve purchased them. I describe items honestly and to the best ofmy ability, but if you find that you want to add info to my description becauseyou know more than I do (which is quite possible and in many cases very likely),please email me. Likewise, if you think my description is in error, letme know. Feel free to ask questions - I do answer them! I packitems well so that they don\'t get damaged, but I cannot guarantee the serviceof theUSPS, UPS or FedEx folks. I generally shipthe same dayas I receive payment, but that might be delayed up to 24 hours of paymentdepending upon when your payment is received. If you are considering morethan one item I\'ve listed and want to know what the shipping would be if Ipacked them together, send me an email and I\'ll try to get that cost foryou. Also, if you need an additional photo of an item; some detail that Imissed, send me a note. I may or may not be able to do that based on howbusy I am, but I\'ll certainly try. All my shipping and comments regardingshipping are based on the lower 48 states (USA). If you\'re from Hawaii, Alaska or are aninternational buyer considering a offer, please contact me PRIOR to offerding so Ican advise you on the cost of shipping as that might be a deterrent (hate tosay that as I\'m trying to sell, but it\'s true). Also, if you\'re local and wantto pick the item up, please contact me PRIOR to offerding so that we can makesure that\'s possible.

Please use check out.Watch for upcoming sales of so many (it seems like endless) items from clocks, lamps, furniture, decorative arts, pottery, china, minton, paintings,instruments, jewelry to Chanel suits, etc. . . lots of great stuff!