Singer Manufacturing Company Records 2526

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on September 14, 2021. Description is written in: English. Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Manuscripts and Archives PO Box 3630 Wilmington, Delaware 19807 [email protected] URL: http://www.hagley.org/library Singer Manufacturing Company Records 2526

Table of Contents

Summary Information ...... 3 Historical Note ...... 3 Scope and Content ...... 4 Administrative Information ...... 5 Controlled Access Headings ...... 5 Collection Inventory ...... 5 Correspondence ...... 5 Agents/Dealers ...... 6 Advertisements/Notices ...... 6 Singer Offices ...... 6

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Summary Information

Repository: Manuscripts and Archives Creator: Singer Manufacturing Company Title: Singer Manufacturing Company records ID: 2526 Date [inclusive]: 1860-1878 Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet Language of the English . Material: Abstract: This collection helps to document the history of Singer Manufacturing Company during the period 1860 through 1880. After success in forming one of the first U.S. patent pools the Singer Company was ready to capitalize and built several new factories. Since the demand for family machines had increased substantially, Singer made it economically possible to buy the new and improved machines by offering installment payment plans.

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Historical Note

The Singer Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1863; twelve years after Isaac Merrit Singer (1811-1875) obtained patent no. 8294 on August 12, 1851 for his improved . The machine took him less than 2 weeks to design and build. Singer was not interested in sewing machines or the sewing industry when he came to Boston in 1850 to promote and manufacture a wood carving machine he had invented. With his friend George Zieber, he obtained space in a small Boston machine shop. Singer's plan was to exhibit the wonders of his carving machine which he thought would revolutionize furniture making. It is reported that Singer's wood carving machine had been destroyed in an explosion. The machine shop owner, Orson Phelps, was becoming increasingly frustrated with repairs he was making on current sewing machines. Realizing what a master machinist Singer was, Phelps asked for his opinion on improving the machine. Singer immediately saw the weaknesses and soon had ideas for a better running machine. With capital supplied by George Zieber of $40.00, Singer had the model completed in 11 days.

The market was flooded with inferior sewing machines which had also been issued patents. Singer was sued by Elias Howe Jr. for patent infringement but would not pay the damages because Singer knew there was a patent issued prior to Howe's' for a sewing machine - [Singer eventually paid Howe due to - Page 3- Singer Manufacturing Company Records 2526 a lower court's ruling.] met attorney Edward Clark in the 1850s, offering him partnership in Singer Manufacturing Company in exchange for Clark's handling of all litigation. Noted attorney and entrepreneur Orlando B. Potter was president of Grover and Baker. The sewing machine war had begun and it was Potter that reportedly came up with the idea of forming a 'patent pool' by bringing together as many sewing machine patent holders and administering said patents as a commercial trust. By 1856, these four parties, I.M. Singer & Co., Wheeler, Wilson & Co., Grover & Baker, and Howe, owned the patents that covered the basic features of the sewing machine as a commercial product. Howe initially opposed it, but the others convinced him to join the patent pool by giving Howe special interests that included a royalty of $5 for each sewing machine sold in the and $1 for each sewing machine exported to foreign markets.

The patent pool lasted until 1877 when the last patent expired. The sewing machine war ended with Singer becoming the industry's dominant manufacturer. I.M. Singer capitalized and was successful in building several new factories. The company also made it economically feasible to buy the new and improved machines by offering installment payment plans. As with televisions a century later, there was a sewing machine in almost every home across the country by the mid 1860s.

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Scope and Content

This collection helps to document the history of Singer Manufacturing Company during the period 1860 through 1880. After success in forming one of the first U.S. patent pools the Singer Company was ready to capitalize and built several new factories. Since the demand for family sewing machines had increased substantially, Singer made it economically possible to buy the new and improved machines by offering installment payment plans.

The materials in this collection do not cover the patent pool. However, the 650 documents show the growth of the Singer Manufacturing Company and its numerous sales agents. The handwritten requests for employment, offers of ideas for sewing machine attachments, orders for machines and sewing supplies, as well as complaints are included in this archive. The New York Needle Company, Matteawan Hat Works, and many Singer agents' orders can also be found. An interesting 1865 letter from Havana requesting items gives tips for shipping silk back to Havana without drawing the attention of C.H. (customs house) inspectors.

This archive has been divided into four series. Series I. Correspondence (1865-1878) contains incoming and outgoing correspondence that covers orders, complaints, requests for employment; legal communications from various attorneys, adjusters and insurance brokers, including a County Treasurer's office. There is also a letter from Singer Manufacturing Company's Silk Factory and Case Factory. Series II. Agents/Dealers (1870-1872) is arranged alphabetically by agent name and are mainly orders. Series III. Advertisements/Notices (1870) include information of a Sheriff Sale of McLean sewing machines and attachments. Series IV. Singer Offices (1870-1876) which have been arranged alphabetically by state, are largely orders.

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Administrative Information

Publication Statement Manuscripts and Archives

PO Box 3630 Wilmington, Delaware 19807 [email protected] URL: http://www.hagley.org/library

Access restrictions This collection is open for research.

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Controlled Access Headings

• Sewing-machine industry • Sales territories • Sales personnel

Collection Inventory

Correspondence, 1860-1880 Title/Description Instances Incoming, 1860-1866 box 1 folder 1

Incoming, 1867-1878 box 1 folder 2

Incoming, New York Needle Co., 1877-1878 box 1 folder 3

Legal, 1865-1866 box 1 folder 4

Outgoing, 1865-1869 box 1 folder 5 - Page 5- Singer Manufacturing Company Records 2526

Singer Manufacturing Company's Silk & Case factories, 18711873 box 1 folder 6

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Agents/Dealers, 1870-1872 Title/Description Instances A - O, 1870-1872 box 2 folder 1

Russel Crego & Son, 1870-1872 box 2 folder 2

Shaffer, Umpleby & Weeling; W.J. Bradley & Co., 1870-1871 box 2 folder 3

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Advertisements/Notices, 1870, undated Title/Description Instances Advertisements/Notices, 1870, undated box 2 folder 4

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Singer Offices, 1870-1876 Title/Description Instances Illinois, 1872 box 2 folder 5

Indiana, 1871-1875 box 2 folder 6

Maryland, 1871 box 2 folder 7

Massachusetts, 1871 box 2 folder 8

Missouri, 18701872 box 2 folder 9

New Jersey, 1876 box 2 folder 10

New York, 1870-1876 box 2 folder 11

Ohio, 1871 box 2 folder 12

Pennsylvania, 1870-1876 box 2 folder 13

Wisconsin, 1876 box 2 folder 14

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