Textile equipment: Sewing machine owned by M. Lavinia Warren
Primo Magri (Count Magri) (previously owned by)
M. Lavinia Warren (owned by)
Singer Manufacturing Company (created by)
M. Lavinia Warren (owned by)
Singer Manufacturing Company (created by)
1886 – 1888 (Date manufactured/created)
22.75 in H
X
33 in W
X
15.5 in D
Singer sewing machine with custom-sized table base, made for M. Lavinia Warren, a little person performer better known by her first married name, "Mrs. Gen. Tom Thumb." This treadle-operated sewing machine is Singer's Model No. 24, which produces a chain-stitch rather than the more common lock-stitch. This machine's patent date is April 13, 1886, which marks the beginning year of production of this model. The date is engraved on the cloth plate, which is the metal square that provides a surface for the fabric as it is being fed toward the needle.
This machine was likely made in 1886 or soon after, as many other patents came along with this model over the years. Singer Model No. 24 was designed as a very small machine, and was manufactured for decades, with various improvements and changes in the decorative elements, until about 1939 or 1940. Due to its small size, it was perfect for Lavinia, and only needed a custom sized base to accomodate her short stature.
At the time Lavinia acquired this sewing machine she had recently married her second husband, Count Primo Magri, and her name became "Countess Magri." It is possible that Count Magri purchased it as a gift to her, as "Countess Magri" is engraved on the face plate (left side), and the cloth plate is exceptionally elaborate, making the sewing machine a beautiful piece worthy of a special gift. This sewing machine probably replaced the machine she had received as a wedding present in 1863 when she married Charles Stratton ("Gen. Tom Thumb"). (That model, made by Wheeler & Wilson, is now in the collection of the Smithsonian.) A more modern sewing machine would have been a welcome gift, as Lavinia was fond of fashion and had grown up learning to sew. The Museum also owns a dress form that was custom-sized for Lavinia, and it also dates to about this time period.
The elaborately decorated machine head is mounted on an oak table base with a drop leaf on the left to increase the workspace, and both a center and righthand drawer for sewing tools and supplies. The center crossbar of the cast iron base features the company name, Singer, and the side pieces include their oval trademark with a shuttle and spool of thread within an entwined "S." The foot treadle has a carpet-covered mount to provide the right angle for the back and forth operation, and this was probably a customized feature for Lavinia. The original leather drive belt is no longer present as these typically wore out or stretched over time. In place, the belt came up from the large wheel on the base through two holes on the table surface, and fit over the machine wheel at the righthand side. The machine head has a rectangular wood cover with decorative elements similar to furniture of the period; its purpose was to keep dust off the machine when not in use, and also to allow the machine to blend in as furniture in the home. The base is made of cast iron and though smaller than a normal sewing machine base, it is identical to other Singers of that time period.
Along with the machine, a rectangular "puzzle box" of accessories was given; the box opens out by unfolding, and contains a variety of machine accessories, such as feet for gathering and pleating, and tools, with clips to hold the pieces in place. The box has a patent date that is difficult to read but appears to be 1889, suggesting it might have been acquired after the machine was purchased. Since Lavinia enjoyed fashion, sewing, and needlework, she may have wanted the special feet to make elaborate trimmings for her gowns.
A year after Lavinia's death in 1920, the sewing machine was sold at auction, along with other items that had belonged to her. The Boston Sunday Post was the high bidder. They purchased it to use as a prize in a children's Christmas story writing competition. Marion Fowler, an eleven-year-old girl from Gardner, Mass., won the sewing machine, and the story was written up in the Post newspaper. A placard is attached on one side of the machine cover with this story.
This machine was likely made in 1886 or soon after, as many other patents came along with this model over the years. Singer Model No. 24 was designed as a very small machine, and was manufactured for decades, with various improvements and changes in the decorative elements, until about 1939 or 1940. Due to its small size, it was perfect for Lavinia, and only needed a custom sized base to accomodate her short stature.
At the time Lavinia acquired this sewing machine she had recently married her second husband, Count Primo Magri, and her name became "Countess Magri." It is possible that Count Magri purchased it as a gift to her, as "Countess Magri" is engraved on the face plate (left side), and the cloth plate is exceptionally elaborate, making the sewing machine a beautiful piece worthy of a special gift. This sewing machine probably replaced the machine she had received as a wedding present in 1863 when she married Charles Stratton ("Gen. Tom Thumb"). (That model, made by Wheeler & Wilson, is now in the collection of the Smithsonian.) A more modern sewing machine would have been a welcome gift, as Lavinia was fond of fashion and had grown up learning to sew. The Museum also owns a dress form that was custom-sized for Lavinia, and it also dates to about this time period.
The elaborately decorated machine head is mounted on an oak table base with a drop leaf on the left to increase the workspace, and both a center and righthand drawer for sewing tools and supplies. The center crossbar of the cast iron base features the company name, Singer, and the side pieces include their oval trademark with a shuttle and spool of thread within an entwined "S." The foot treadle has a carpet-covered mount to provide the right angle for the back and forth operation, and this was probably a customized feature for Lavinia. The original leather drive belt is no longer present as these typically wore out or stretched over time. In place, the belt came up from the large wheel on the base through two holes on the table surface, and fit over the machine wheel at the righthand side. The machine head has a rectangular wood cover with decorative elements similar to furniture of the period; its purpose was to keep dust off the machine when not in use, and also to allow the machine to blend in as furniture in the home. The base is made of cast iron and though smaller than a normal sewing machine base, it is identical to other Singers of that time period.
Along with the machine, a rectangular "puzzle box" of accessories was given; the box opens out by unfolding, and contains a variety of machine accessories, such as feet for gathering and pleating, and tools, with clips to hold the pieces in place. The box has a patent date that is difficult to read but appears to be 1889, suggesting it might have been acquired after the machine was purchased. Since Lavinia enjoyed fashion, sewing, and needlework, she may have wanted the special feet to make elaborate trimmings for her gowns.
A year after Lavinia's death in 1920, the sewing machine was sold at auction, along with other items that had belonged to her. The Boston Sunday Post was the high bidder. They purchased it to use as a prize in a children's Christmas story writing competition. Marion Fowler, an eleven-year-old girl from Gardner, Mass., won the sewing machine, and the story was written up in the Post newspaper. A placard is attached on one side of the machine cover with this story.
Gift of Miss Renee Bowen
2018.009.001