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THE BARTLETT SEWING MACHINE CO.
of Joseph Weatherby Bartlett (New York)
The J. W. Bartlett sewing machine, was first manufactured in 1866 under the patent US 46.064 January 31, 1865 and US D 2.180 October 10, 1865.
The machines were made by Goodspeed & Wyman for the Bartlett SM Co. and were so marked. The inventor received another patent US 76.385 on April 7, 1868 and later machines carry this third date also. Although the first few hundred machines did not bear the dates of patents held by the Combination, before the end of the first year of production Bartlett was paying royalties. He continued to manufacture sewing machines until the early seventies when he converted to the manufacturing of "street lamps".
1858
US 21.234 T. D. Jackson of New York August 17, 1858
Assignor to Joseph W. Bartlett
... I am aware that thread-guides are used in single-thread machines to convey the thread across the path of the needle, which receive their movements from mechanism other than the needle, an example of which may be found in the patent of O.L. Reynolds, US 7.369 May 14, 1850 ...
1859
421 Broadway & Canal Street, New York
see DEMOREST
Sold only by
S. Jewett proprietor of the patent, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
In 1859 the Bartlett company was selling a machine called the "Novelty $6 Sewing Machine". During this same time another unrelated company "Novelty Sewing Machine" was selling a similar machine. The machine pictured here is not one of the Bartlett machines. Several thousand of these were made in 2 different styles.
Novelty - 1860's - Victorian Sweatshop Forum
see also:
1860
BARTLETT'S Depot, 421 Broadway, N.Y.
1862
BARTLETT'S Depot, 442 Broadway, N.Y.
1863
442 Broadway, N.Y.
1864
The New Sewing Machine
( November 1865)
The engraving published herewith represents a new sewing machine. The objects its originator had in view in its production was to supply the great want existing for a really good practical sewing machine for family use, obtainable at a moderate price, simply constructed, readily understood and easily operated and kept in working order. The stitch made by it is elastic, which experience proves to be best adapted for all the varieties of family sewing and is made from the spool direct as purchased at the store. It is self-fastening, yet can be taken out, without injury to the fabric, when necessary. The needle is readily adjusted and is like that used by Mr. Howe, only shorter and consequently stronger and less liable to be broken. The feed is the well-known four-motion under feed, as used in the Wheeler & Wilson, Grover & Baker and other first-class machines. It is now considered the only really reliable feed. The length of stitch is varied by simply turning the thumb-screw, H, in or out, securing it in place by the jam nut, 0. The tension is laid directly upon the thread by passing it between two highly polished steel disks, B, instead of applying the pressure upon the spool which, from the unevenness of these spools, is found very unreliable. The spool A, rests loosely upon the upright rod and may be removed and replaced by another without disturbing the tension, a very valuable feature, especially when the thread gives out in the midst of sewing a seam. The pressure upon the foot resting upon the cloth is obtained by a coiled spring upon the rod. The foot is raised by lifting the nut F and held at rest by a pin fitted to the nut in such a manner that the foot may be thrown entirely around and away from the needle when desired. A gage is I attached to the plate of each machine adjustable to different widths of sewing and tucking by the screw L. In short, all the motions are obtained by the simplest mechanism, which, in practice, is found to be durable and noiseless. The machines are made adapted both for the treadle (foot-power) and hand use. The annexed engraving represents the machine as adapted for hand use and although they can be worked upon any house table without being secured, a clamp will be furnished with each machine to be used, if desired. Those for treadle use are made without the gear wheels and with a smaller pulley or fly-wheel attached directly upon the main shaft for the belt.
These machines sew with double or single thread and the stitch is far superior to that made by the cheap machines. It did not rip upon being tested and the general appearance of the machine is satisfactory. Mr. Joseph W. Bartlett, long and favourably known in the sewing machine and needle interests and a resident of this city, is the patentee.
Full particulars in relation to machines or agencies will be promptly given by addressing The Bartlett Sewing Machine Company, 569 Broadway, N.Y.. The manufactory is at Winchendon, Massachusetts. Page Brothers, Agents, Toledo, Ohio.
from The Scientific American (November 1865)
Bartlett Sewing Machine Co.'s New Patent
1866
1867
The Bartlett Reversible Sewing Machine Company
569 Broadway, N.Y.
The above machine, an improvement of the Bartlett's Elastic-Stitch Practical Family Sewing-Machine, was probably manufactured before the patent was issued (the 1868 US patent unfortunately is not visible on the faceplate). On the faceplate is visible "Goodspeed & Wyman for Bartlett Sewing Machine Co.", along with several patent dates (see below) and names.
US 4.750 Elias Jr. Howe SEPT 10 1846
US 7.776 Allen B. Wilson NOV 12 1850
US 8.294 Isaac Merritt Singer AUG 12 1851
US 12.116 Allen B. Wilson DEC 19 1854
US 27.279 A. W. Dopp FEB 28 1860
PATENTED
OCT. ?? Design for a frame for Sewing Machine ???
Goodspeed & Wyman was a sewing machine manufacturer in Massachusetts, which marketed single thread sewing machines under the name of Bartlett Sewing Machine Co..
1869
Bartlett Reversible Sewing Machine Company
Machines now being made at their new factory.
Principal Office and General Depot:
569 Broadway
1875
DATING BARTLETT SEWING MACHINES
Using serial numbers Bartlett's machines can be dated approximately as follows:
1 — 1.000 1866
1.001 — 3.126 1867
3.127 — ? 1868
There is no record of serial numbers for the succeeding years.