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When it comes to Singer, even avid sewing-machine collectors tend not to mince their words. “They were not great innovators,” says Harry Berzack, who owns about 500 sewing machines of various makes and models. But one thing everyone agrees on was Singer’s unprecedented ability to get its machines into the hands of customers. “They were unbelievable marketers,” Berzack says.

That may be why collectors of antique and vintage sewing machines have so much fun collect...

An Improved Family machine followed in 1879. This machine is considered a breakthrough because of its oscillating shuttle, but the next year an even more significant development occurred—Singer put an Edison electric motor in one of its machines, a foreshadowing of things to come.

By 1890, Singer had a staggering 80 percent of the world sewing-machine market, and by 1891, that early Edison prototype was being offered to the public. Other models from this era (there were 40 at the turn of the century) include the Singer 48 K, which was manufactured at the company’s plant in Kilbowie, Scotland (the factory would be renamed Clydebank).

The Singer 66 is also of this vintage. It was introduced in 1900 (its portable cousin, the 99, arrived around 1920) and remained in production until the 1950s, which makes this probably the most ubiquitous Singer model available. Another Singer machine that’s popular with collectors (as well as seamstresses and tailors, for that matter) is the Featherweight, which was introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World’s Fair.

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An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

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Recent News: Singer Sewing Machines

Source: Google News

California's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in 17th Annual National Awards ...
MarketWatch (press release), February 7th

She also delivers a sewing machine to each school she visits, donated by the Singer Sewing Company. As State Honorees, Catherine and Cecilia each will receive $1000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington,...Read more

Smart Collector - Vaseline glass' is a Steuben favorite
StarNewsOnline.com, February 6th

Q: This picture shows a 1930s Singer sewing machine. I want to sell and don't know where to go. Can you direct me? A: The treadle machine seen in an image is a classic bare-bones unit of the type used by tailors and seamstresses...Read more

Off The Beaten Path: Wooly Girls
KFYR-TV, February 6th

"This is my grandma`s mitten pattern and I use my grandmother`s old Singer sewing machine, so every time I make a pair of mittens it just reminds me of my grandmother, she was the one who helped me to learn to sew," said Schill...Read more

Historically Speaking: Inventor known for sewing machine revolutionized business
Norwich Bulletin, February 4th

Some historians claim Singer's sewing machine was the most useful invention of the 19th century. Historically Speaking, which appears Sundays, presents short historical stories written by Richard Curland of the Norwich Historical Society in cooperation...Read more

New Singer stitches together past, present
San Jose Mercury News, February 3rd

By Joan Morris A new, modern Singer sewing machine pays homage to the machines of the past. The venerable sewing machine company celebrates its 160th anniversary. Courtesy of Singer Of all the regrets in my life, one of the greatest is that I was born...Read more

'Vaseline glass' a Steuben favorite
Bangor Daily News, February 3rd

Q: This picture shows a 1930s Singer sewing machine. I want to sell and don't know where to go. Can you direct me? A: The treadle machine seen in an image is a classic bare-bones unit of the type used by tailors and seamstresses...Read more

Home and garden news and notes
Kansas City Star, February 2nd

By MARY BETH BRECKENRIDGE Singer Sewing Co. is marking the brand's 160th anniversary with a sewing machine that's reminiscent of machines from years past. The Singer 160 Limited Edition has modern features designed to make sewing easier,...Read more

Singer Sewing Company to Launch The SINGER 160(TM) Limited Edition Sewing ...
MarketWatch (press release), January 24th

26 LAVERGNE, TN, Jan 24, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- To commemorate the SINGER(R) brand's 160th anniversary, Singer Sewing Company will launch the SINGER 160(TM) Limited Edition sewing machine with multi-channel retailer, HSN on January 26...Read more

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