Lot #3: Wheeler & Wilson #1 Antique Sewing Machine

Wheeler & Wilson No.1 Serial No. 625 This machine was made circa 1874 and is the later version of the No.1 with raised (or box) bed into which the Wheeler & Wilson brass medallion is inset. The raised bed was a very late improvement designed to cover the motion of the eccentric arm, and it appears few machines with this feature have survived presumably because the No. 1 machine was superseded for family sewing by the introduction of the No.8 machine two years later. The Gold seal on this example is in good condition with little wear although the plating on the cloth plate and the arms has worn off. Unlike earlier examples there are no patent dates stamped into the cloth plate. The needle is missing as well as the wide belt to connect the lower peddles with the top mechanism. The peddles work great. The table and side box appear to be of walnut or oak, but it doesn't seem that this machine ever had a cover as there is no lock keep set into the tabletop. The tread plate is in the shape of shoes. These machines use a wide flat leather belt rather than the more common round leather belt. We do not have the belt. Pickup category timeslot {A}