W. J. HARRIS & C0.

W.J. Harris  was a company based in London with many Depots which distributed sewing machines and other goods to retailers (a competitor of Hermann Loog).

They did not produce any sewing machine on their own account,  but badged machines made by other makers with the Harris name.

Harris sold machines from many makers in several countries, including the German Grimme, Natalis & Co., Stoewer, Frister & Rossmann and L.O. Dietrich companies and the American New Home and National/Eldredge companies. They also sold badged British Jones and Japanese machines.

Among the items featured on this advert for Harris & Co. are the Bassinette and Victoria prams.

The first baby carriage was made for the children of the Duke of Devonshire in 1730. This was a beautifully crafted carriage designed to be pulled by a dog or a small horse. It had elaborate exterior carvings and two lamps at the front. By the 1840s the carriages were more affordable and less ostentatious, but they were still pulled rather than pushed, usually by the family nanny. In 1853, Charles Burton invented a collapsible carriage that was pushed from behind making it easier to control.

The company was founded in the 1870's and continued in the sewing machine business until at least 1960. It is said that the current incarnation of the Harris company is "Mothercare", a large British company of chain stores selling goods for babies and young children.

This page lists some of the model designations used by the Harris company and shows the actual makers of the machines where known.

Alan Quinn

needlebar.org

HARRIS  SEWING  MACHINES

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Nov. I, 1895

W. J. Harris & Co., Limited, beg to inform the agents and dealers throughout the country that they have just completed arrangements with Messrs. Stoewer to stock their unrivalled and highly-finished sewing machines, so that in future small buyers of two to six machines at a time can be supplied within 24 hours' notice, and at the very lowest prices.

Stoewer's machines are guaranteed the cheapest and best-finished in the market, and will be found to command the quickest sale with servants and for family use. Send for illustrated list and sample machine, which will be cheerfully sent on approval.

— W. J. Harris & Co., Limited, Haymerle Road, London, S.E.— ADVT.

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                   HARRIS No 3

Variant 1   

                   made by New Home            

HARRIS No 3

       Variant 2

   made by New Home

HARRIS  9H

HARRIS - B 

HARRIS  VS

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TO BE CONTINUED