Treadle Sewing Machine

What drew me to the estate sale I went to today was a treadle sewing machine listed on the items available for sale.  I went with the attitude that the cabinet and the machine were probably not in good shape, the chances of me getting it would be slim, and I didn't really need another sewing machine.  I told myself these things to save myself from disappointment.

There were over a dozen people ahead of us waiting in line for the sale to begin.  I kept repeating the above.  Once inside I simply asked where the treadle machine was instead of wasting time looking for it.  I was told, "In the basement in the back corner".  I searched for the basement door.  There were already a few people down there.  I kept thinking I would be too late, but there it was sitting in the middle of one the rooms with the $75.00 tag still on it.  I immediately pulled the tag off before someone else did.  I was so impressed with the condition of the machine that I quickly put a sold sign on it.

The cabinet is damaged, but not like other cabinets I've seen where the veneer is spliting or missing. It is workable; however, I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to its style.  My husband arranged for it to be placed in our vehicle.  When we finally left the sale with a whole lot of other stuff, I noticed how compact the cabinet was.  I've never seen one like this before. 

After some research, I discovered this is a "parlor cabinet".  It's meant to look like a piece of furniture and not a sewing machine.  Nice job!

Here it is opened up, bought as is, with no cleaning.  As you can see, the cabinet has been disrespected.

I was delighted over a few discoveries.  There was the original manual in great shape.  Acesssories were there and the bobbins are round.  It has the cutest oil can.  There is a box of accessories that I'm not sure is original to this machine.  The basis for this is the fact that this machine doesn't use elongated bobbins.  You can see the elongated onces in the case.  These bobbins won't work, but the accessories will.

  

Further research via the serial number reveals this machine was manufactured in 1922.  What a treasure!