Copyright 1925 BY MONTGOMERY WARD AND co.

1. Antique Montgomery Wards Damascus Grand Sewing Machine Vintage. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Vintage Damascus sewing machine. Serial number 1843789. Does show wear from age and use. This came out of a treadle base. Turns freely and has bullet bobbin included. May need oiled and could possibly use adjustments (I’m not sure have not used this machine).
2. Do Some Research. Now that you have the serial number, you can dive into the history of the machine by doing a little bit of research. There are plenty of places that offer sewing help, including assistance with identifying a vintage sewing machine.In fact, you can even find charts online, or you could ask a local seamstress for some input.

Grand Sewing Machine Repair Parts. III 96 -old part or an exact description of the part, and give us the full name, serial number and date of guarantee of your machine. When you write to us, be sure to mention the name and number of each part just as it is given in the repair parts list.:34. G It' S7/ '-:'-1I4 105. I put my money on it being a 1954. My other real late machines also have long serial numbers and most of them are 1954 which is the last year of production as far as 'Damascus' Annie and I can tell. 'Damascus' Annie's serial number records are from dates recorded on machine warranties which are sale dates.

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• View of the National SewingMachine Company Factory in 1939

ISMACS is an organization totally independent of all sewing-machine manufacturers, past or present and is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in these pages. Please Note: Do not contact any ISMACS official in an attempt to solicit a valuation - it is not possible other than by hands-on assessment and your request will be ignored.

All rights reserved by ISMACS INTERNATIONAL, under International and Pan American copyright conventions. Reproduction or copy of this page, in any form, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited, without prior, written permission.

• Research

  Manufacturers

  If your sewing machine, accessory, or ephemera has a name on it, this is the place to start. If we don't have a listing for the name, please use the search function to see if there is any mention of it on our site.

  General Information

  Toy Sewing Machines

  
  

  About Us

• ISMACS News Magazine

  ISMACS News

  ISMACS News is the magazine of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society published four times a year for society members.

• ISMACS Membership

  Joining ISMACS

  The International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society is the premiere sewing machine collector's group. A quarterly magazine and access to our annual sewing machine auction are but two membership benefits.

• ISMACS Email Digest

  Joining the Email Digest

  The ISMACS Email Digest is the place to ask all your sewing machine questions. You will be greeted by the internet's finest people and your enquiries will be answered by leading experts.

by Jennifer Gregory
ISMACS News
Issue 84
may 2006

This advertisement heading, unusual to modern eyes, appeared in Montgomery Ward and Company's catalogue Number 82 of 1913. This was the Chicago company's first New York catalogue, giving 'their Eastern and Southern friends double quick service at close range'.

fig 2
The 'Juvenile'

The advertisement related to the 'Oakland'(Figure 1), at $8.75 the cheapest sewing machine in the catalogue, other than their toy machine for 'little women', the 'Juvenile' (Figure 2) at $2.95. (The 'Juvenile' was a National Sewing Machine Company's 'Stitchwell' made for Montgomery Ward). The advertisement continued: 'While we warrant this sewing machine for 5 years and will replace any defective parts free of charge during this period, we do not recommend the Oakland. Under all circumstances you are advised, if possible, to order one of the better grades.'

Damascus Grand Sewing Machine Value

People who ignored the recommendation received a drop-head machine in a five-drawer treadle, enamelled in black and decorated in gold. It boasted a self-setting needle and a self-threading shuttle. An extra $0.75 purchased a set of Greist attachments. The machine was manufactured at Kankanee, Illinois at a factory that had belonged to H.B. Goodrich. This company developed into Foley and Williams in about 1885, only to go out of business in 1926 and be reorganised, shortly afterwards, into the Goodrich Sewing Machine Company. During their troubled existence, Foley and Williams continued to make 'Goodrich' machines at Kankanee. The problems of the company perhaps account for the cheapness of the machine. Montgomery Ward plainly did not keep this machine in stock; when ordered, it was shipped from the factory.

fig 3
The 'Brunswick' on an automatic drop-head base

Montgomery Ward's 'better grade' machines, such as the 'Brunswick' and the 'Damascus' were manufactured by the National Sewing Machine Company. Eldredge, one of the two manufacturers whose merger produced National, first sold to Montgomery Ward in 1889, one year before their merger with the June Manufacturing Company.

In 1913, the 'Brunswick', a high-arm machine (Figure 3), with a bobbin 'that always works in a satisfactory manner' could be supplied on at least three different treadles costing from $12.95 to $17.85. The 'Damascus' vibrating shuttle machine (Figure 4), could be supplied on six different treadles at prices ranging from $19.50 for a four-drawer treadle to $23.95 for a full cabinet. Both 'Brunswick' and 'Damascus' machines were decorated in gold and 'harmonious colours' and came complete with their Greist attachments.

Damascus Sewing Machine Serial Number Location

Top of the range was the 'Damascus Grand Rotary' machine (Figure 5), costing $25.95 as a sixdrawer treadle or $29.50 as a full cabinet. The catalogue raves: 'Our Damascus Grand Rotary is the best machine you can buy. We mean by this that no matter how much you pay, or from what line your selection is made, you cannot get a better machine.' The catalogue hastens to add, however; 'Remember this statement must not in any sense be construed as having the slightest reflection upon the high quality of our Damascus Vibrating shuttle, because the latter, while practically a perfect work doer, is of a different type.'

All these better grade machines were kept in stock and were shipped from Montgomery Ward's warehouses in New York or Buffalo, whichever was nearer to the purchaser. The shipping weight of the cabinets was 160lb.

Montgomery Ward also sold 'Windsor' machines, which were 'easily run, there being no complicated devices to get out of order'. Their only hand machine, the 'Amazon', was a 'Damascus' in disguise. It was 'intended for those who for various reasons are unable to use foot power'. At $9.98 this hand-machine was more expensive than the unrecommended 'Oakland' treadle.

fig 5
The cabinet style 'Damascus Grand Rotary' machine

Editor's note - Many of the above machines are found in our collections today. We have however failed to track down an Oakland portable. The Damascus Grand Rotary on the right was featured in ISMACS news issue number 80 when Anne Kusilek told us about her road to Damascus. Anne is still collecting National Data and would love to hear from members who share her obsession for all things National. You can email Anne at [email protected] or contact her through the ISMACS online digest.

ISMACS is an organization totally independent of all sewing-machine manufacturers, past or present and is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in these pages. Please Note: Do not contact any ISMACS official in an attempt to solicit a valuation - it is not possible other than by hands-on assessment and your request will be ignored.

Antique Damascus Sewing Machine Value

All rights reserved by ISMACS INTERNATIONAL, under International and Pan American copyright conventions. Reproduction or copy of this page, in any form, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited, without prior, written permission.