The Shakespear  Serial No. 16179. The Royal Sewing Machine Company was formed by Thomas Shakespear & George Illston in 1868, the factory was at Herbert Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. In 1877 The Royal Sewing Machine Company took over the Imperial Sewing Machine Co. which had been formed when Joseph Harris merged A Maxfield & Co. and the Franklin Sewing Machine Co. in 1874. In 1882 The Royal Sewing Machine Company Ltd became the Royal Machine Manufacturing Co. which ceased business in 1888. NOTE: Temporary Photographs

This machine was probably produced in the early 1870's. The name The Shakespear appears on the brass needlebar cover along with an embossed image of William Shakespeare, the company name and the legend "Not for an age but for all time". Engraved on the cloth plate is W H Shakespear 122 Bold Street Liverpool. The machine stands on a heavy cast iron base, sadly the decals are heavily worn but the Company's Trade Mark is still visable under the arm.

Howe Family:  Serial No.1058964. Elias Howe patented the lock stitch sewing machine in 1846, although it wasn't until 1865 that he and the Stockwell brothers formed the Howe Machine Company and erected a factory at Bridgeport, Conneciticut, U.S.A.  In the first six months of 1871 the Company produced 34,010 machines and in 1876 it was reported that the factory could produce a 1000 machines a day. By 1867 the Company had offices at 64 Regent Street, London later moving to 46/48 Queen Victoria Street, London (c1876) and at some point 150 Cheapside, London. Elias Howe died in 1867 but the Company continued producing sewing machines and in 1872 established a factory at Bridgeton Scotland.  The following year the Howe Machine Company bought out the "Howe Sewing Machine Company" which Amasa Howe (Elias's elder brother) had established in 1854. The Company produced various models for both domestic and manufacturing purposes which were based on the firms original design.  By 1876 a Letter 'D' industrial machine with combination arm for leather work was being produced. New conventionally designed models for domestic use were later introduced - a Family model and the Model 'G' with a high arm which appears to have been introduced in 1882.  In the early 1880's the Companys Bridgeton factory started producing bicycles and tricycles.

The Howe Machine Company Ld closed in 1886, though in America there were reports that the Company was to be re-established as "The New Howe Manufacturing Co" the intention was to start producing Family and Manufacturing machines together with parts for old style Howes by February 1887, whether this actually happened is unclear. Dating to the late 1870's and produced in Scotland this treadle machine has "The Howe M Co Ld" cast into the treadle plate.  On the bed, is a medalion featuring a portrait of Elias Howe J.R., this was the Companys Trade Mark which according to the Companys literature "is embedded on every Genuine Howe Sewing Machine".  The slide plates are brass and have various patent dates listed, the earliest being Sept 10 1846 and the last one being Jan 30 1872. The balance wheel is set into the table and operates a primitive bobbin winder mounted on the bed of the machine (Early models have the bobbin winder mounted under the table!). There is a small swivil drawer with recessed pull at one end of the table. The machine does not have a cover nor any fittings for one, despite this the decals though slightly worn are in good condition.

Howe:  Serial No.1403840. Produced in Scotland this machine has Howe M Co Ld cast into the balance wheel.  The Howe Medalion on this machine is on the bed behind the pillar. The brass slide plates have the same patent dates listed as for the above machine. We think this machine would have been made around 1882.

    William Sellers "Stitchwell":  Serial No. 15229.
W. Sellers & Co manufactured sewing machines between 1854 & 1920, the factory was at Airedale, Yorkshire.  By 1875 the Company was producing up to 15,000 sewing machines a year, these included the Stitchwell, Seamstress and various Industrial machines based on the Howe and Thomas designs.  The firm had a Depot at 12 Walbrook, London, E.C.
By 1884 the Company name had changed to Wm. Sellers & Sons and although sewing machine production continued the Company diversified producing knitting machines, bicycles and washers.

The machine has a cast-base which is fiddle shaped.  The brass badge at the base of the pillar reads;
Wm Sellers & Co Keighley & London. Most of the gold decal hasn't survived but in the centre bed
is a wonderful Italian Alpine style landscape painting - hills, trees, conifers, cottages & a stream!

The manual refers to there being "Family & Medium, patent prize medal lockstitch sewing machines" and the Company are credited as the patentees & sole manufacturers.  We think this machine may be the Medium version and possibly dates to the 1870's.  It came with a box case with lift up lid.

Thanks to G Forsdyke for information on the company

     Varley Family: Serial No. 66844 S100.
Made by Varley and Co. Keighley, Yorkshire.  The firm was originally known as Varley & Wolfenden but seems to have become Varley & Co in the mid 1890's, later becoming a Limited Company the firm closed in 1918.

The Company Trade Mark portrayed a bobbin with the word Cyclops on the top and crossed needles either side.