Model named!

With the absence of any contemporary advertising, packaging, or instruction sheets, and the machine carrying no marque, cataloguing can be very frustrating at best. Until very recently, one such machine has been an exquisite rare miniature, patented in the UK during the late 1880s. The chain stitch model in question has simply been attributed to the patentee, W.S.Oliver.

An example surfaced this year, which for the first time was accompanied by its original card box and full instruction sheet. This combination has allowed a far more detailed history to be recorded. Those lucky enough to have this chain driven delight in their collection can now index it under the name "Tottie".
The box lid illustrates the machine clasped in the hands of a gleeful young girl - the introductory notes clearly indicate that a child could operate it with ease. However, we are also told that the machine would "grace the home of the artisan or the work basket of the richest lady in the land". Therefore, we can assume the widest possible market was being targeted in the sales pitch.
The sole proprietors were The Exchange Contract Company - a new one to this writer! - operating from 15, George Street, Mansion House, London EC.
The "Tottie" came complete with table clamp for the princely sum of 3s 6d (17.5p). The marketing catch phrase was "Have you seen the Tottie sewing machine? If not, get one at once - equalled nowhere - sold everywhere."

GD
October 2004.