Hanky Gave Instructions

A rare find for a collector of marine antiques is an instruction handkerchief. It was usually dyed red and served as an information sheet. The text was material that a sailor needed to know but might not remember without some help. The characters were printed in black on the red background.

If necessary, the handkerchief served double duty and was used for wrapping small objects to keep them safe in the pocket. It was not supposed to be used for the usual handkerchief purposes.

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Toy Sewing Machines Designed To Work (Some)

Soon after that controversial invention, the sewing machine, came to be accepted by homemakers in general, toy versions became available for daughters of the family. The little girls could make dresses for their dolls and, hopefully, learn some sewing skills at the same time.

The first toy sewing machines appeared late in the 1800s and became fairly widespread in use by the early 20th century. A 1902 ad, which says “Little Girls Can Sew Like Mamma,” offers this “most useful and practical little machine” for just $1. By 1912, they were available by mail order from such companies as Sears, Roebuck at prices ranging from 45 cents to $2.98.

Most of the toy sewing machines available early in the 1900s were imported. One exception was Singer, which began in 1910 to make toy models that closely imitated their full-size models. These were made until the early 1970s.

A wide variation in the early toy machines can be seen in terms of construction and ornamentation. Some, especially those made in Germany, were beautifully decorated. For example, the metal might be painted blue, with flowers, berries and leaves in orange, gold and green. Gilt was frequently used also in the design. The trim was nickel plated. Two machines that appear superficially to be the same might vary by several pounds in their weight. The heavier, sturdier machines sold for more at the time and have lasted better, too.

The first toy sewing machines were all metal, hand-cranked machines. Very infrequently, a treadle machine was made. Designs changed along with technology. Recent models, as is to be expected, are made of plastic, and are battery or electric powered.

The cheapest models usually sewed a simple chain stitch. More expensive ones made a lock stitch as the wheel turned.

Very few toy sewing machines carried the maker’s name. Singer is again an exception. It is usually assumed that the decorative models came from Germany. These toys are primarily collected on the basis of their visual appeal; their effectiveness as a working machine is secondary.

For information on children’s sewing machines and related topics, see the Encyclopedia of Children’s Sewing Collectibles by Darlene Gengelback, a Collector Books publication.

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Mid-Century Furniture Designed

Paul McCobb was a designer of 1950s-style furniture, home furnishings and textiles. He made well-designed, low-cost furniture. His most popular pieces were part of the “Planner” group, modular pieces of hard birch. It was made by the Windehenon Furniture Company of Michigan. Wrought iron bases were characteristic of many of the pieces.

There were several other lines, also. For example, the Irwin Collection, designed in 1952, included brass in the overall structure. Surfaces often had tops of white vitrolite glass or marble.

In the late 1950s, McCobb designed a collection of mass-produced modular cabinet and counter components.

Examples of McCobb’s furniture is included in Fifties Furniture, by Leslie Pina, (Schiffer Publishing.)

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