Posted 2 years ago
keramikos
(21 items)
White was once one of Singer's biggest competitors and while serial number records aren't as comprehensive as those for Singer, there are some clues that can be used as a guide for determining the general age of vintage White sewing machines.
IMAGES CREDITS (Many thanks to CW user AnythingObscure):
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/292336-white-rotary-sewing-machine-in-oak-cabin
REFERENCES 20220621:
Here are a couple of websites with extensive vintage White sewing machine information:
http://www.treadleon.net/WhiteSM/whites.html
https://www.fiddlebase.com/american-machines/white-sewing-machine-company/dating-white/
Unfortunately, I was informed in March 2021 by the spouse of the person who created and maintained fiddlebase dot com (Enrico) that he had passed away. She asked that I tell other vintage sewing machine enthusiasts that she would not be able to help people with sewing machine issues.
Per ICANN, fiddlebase dot com will expire in June 2021, so hopefully, its contents will continue to be available via archive dot org:
https://web.archive.org
In honor of Enrico, and his dedication to vintage sewing machines, I present these White sewing machine patent listings that I had been trying to give him via email:
The July 11, 1882 patent for the lyre-shaped bobbin winder:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US260734
The three newest patents listed on many vintage White sewing machines slide plates, all dated March 11, 1890:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US423111
https://patents.google.com/patent/US423112
https://patents.google.com/patent/US423113
Some general information about the White Sewing Machine Company:
http://ismacs.net/white/white-sewing-machine-company-history.html
Some advice about bobbins and needles for White rotary sewing machines:
https://mermaidsden.com/blog/2016/10/10/white-rotary-needle
A manual for the White Family Rotary FR series:
http://ismacs.net/white/manuals/white-rotary.pdf
Other models of White rotary machines were the 41 & 43 which were similar enough to each other to have a manual in common. There was also a model 42 which seems to be almost a throwback at least in external appearance to the basic FR series rotary, and models 75 & 77 which had dials on the pillar to regulate the stiches in both forward and reverse.
Here are some (not free) manuals for various models of White sewing machines:
https://www.sewingmachine221sale.com/store/page43.html
https://manualsoncd.com/product/white-41-43-rotary-electric-sewing-machine-instruction-manual/