Wolfegang's Collectibles

Wolfegang's Collectibles In business
since 2001, specializing in antique sewing machines & related! Always buying!!!

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09/02/2026

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Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The Wendlowsky Collection!!!“An Amazing Find!!!”Hi Folks!!!You know I love it when a machi...
09/02/2026

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The Wendlowsky Collection!!!

“An Amazing Find!!!”

Hi Folks!!!

You know I love it when a machine is found that rewrites the history of the company… therefore rewriting early American sewing machine history!

Tonight a 1 of 1 currently known, Leavitt Industrial Two thread Lock Stitch sewing machine!

I myself have been lucky enough over the years to own 2 Leavitt domestic or home use treadles… and to have had a few here for conservation!

In all of my research on this rare & obscure maker, I have only seen home use machines mentioned as being made… never industrials! 😊

WOW… even though she needs conservation… what an incredible previously unknown find!

A few nights ago I featured a home use Leavitt from the J&P Lowrey Collection… on my page here…. That machine is being pictured here again for SIZE comparison!

I think I will call this one the Super Snail on Steroids!!! 🐌

Here’s the company history I wrote in my post a few night ago…

Enjoy!

One of our nation’s earliest & most obscure makers of antique sewing machines was The Leavitt & Co… sewing machine company of Tremont St. in Boston!

Playfully nick-names The Snail machine by collectors… this machine is without question unique & in a world of it’s own when it comes to casting & shape! Whoa!

The Leavitt SMCo. started extremely early on as Nichols & Bliss… from about 1852 to 1853.

After 1853 it appears the “Bliss” that fueled the original partnership between Nichols & Bliss had ended… Bliss GONE, and the company becomes J.B.Nichols & Co. This name lasts only from 1854 to 1855, when yet another name change happens.

1855 the company becomes Nichols, Leavitt & Co… and would you believe folks, by 1856 the company changes their name yet again… now to Leavitt & Co! This variation of the company would last the longest… until 1865… when tonight’s Leavitt & Company was made!

The company in a frail attempt to survive made one more name change from 1866-1867… to The Leavitt SMCo. But soon thereafter the company was done!

In all, not counting some very early industrial models, Leavitt made about 7,200 machines…

Each machine… though SEW elaborate with their casting, sews a rather ordinary two thread lock stitch and are treadle operated.

A final note… a special THANKS to P.F. for Pony Expressing this machine to me for The Wendlowsky Collection.

Wolf

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SOLD!!!Tonight from Wolf’s Travels!“The Brilliant Bridgeport Barber!”Hi Folks!!!In October of 1884 A.M. Barber of Bridge...
09/01/2026

SOLD!!!

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels!

“The Brilliant Bridgeport Barber!”

Hi Folks!!!

In October of 1884 A.M. Barber of Bridgeport, Connecticut received his 1st of 3 patents for his small but mighty invention… The American Hand (Shears) Sewing Machine.

Often referred to as The American Hand Shears because of their scissors shape… this sewing machine actually sews a two thread lock stitch via a CURVED needle and a TINY shuttle & bobbin!

Tonight’s machine was found in a Minnesota estate! Her slide plate missing and loving reproduced by Wolf & The Magician!

This machine directly correlates to US Patent 306,173 Oct.21,1884!

Nearly 143 years old… give or take… and the machine not only has it’s original box, but it’s BOBBIN WINDER!

This is my 5th example in the past 25 years! 1st with the bobbin winder! They are SEW often missing!

The American Hand Sewing Machine Co. was in business from 1884 to… either 1886 or 1890ish… depending on which sources you choose.

Barber’s 3rd patent involved basically the same machine but with a 4 motion feed.

Barber’s 3rd patent involved a device which attached the machine to a table… odd because media reports from the time hype this machine as being extremely popular, capable of sewing in any position… sitting, standing, lying down! Easy enough for a child to use…. So why offer to attach it to a table?

It is unclear if the 2nd model and table attachment ever were produced! As none are known! But some online sources indicate about 2,000 of tonight’s machine 1884-1886 were made, and if the 2nd model was produced as late as 1900, maybe another 5,000 of it.

Maybe! Company records from the mid 1880’s are merky at best… though several sourced did state that the company had 50 highly skilled employees and a future goal of manufacturing 1,000 machines a year. There’s no evidence to suggest that the company ever reached that goal, judging how FEW of these remain today!

The bobbin winder came mounted on board. The machine’s little stand could use a bit of carving out still. I just made it very quickly tonight!😊

What a fascinating part of early American Sewing Machine history!

Enjoy!

Wolf

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SOLD!!! $650Hi Folks! Hallo, Ciao, Hola, Bonjour!Tonight a delight from Wolf’s travels!!!“One GREAT 48!!!”Considered by ...
08/31/2026

SOLD!!! $650

Hi Folks! Hallo, Ciao, Hola, Bonjour!

Tonight a delight from Wolf’s travels!!!

“One GREAT 48!!!”

Considered by MANY to be the finest stitching sewing machine that Singer ever made… we present to YOU… a simply GREAT Singer 201K… made in Kilbowie, Scotland in 1948!

This machine retains 99.9% of it’s paint & decals and turns with ease… smooth silky operation! Two thread lock stitch.

She comes in a very well preserved bentwood case! A few base edge chips as pictured!

Also included are a great set of attachments, screwdrivers, spare bobbin and albeit a bit tattered, her original manual!

A very pretty 78 year old machine!

Enjoy!

Wolf

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Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection…“A Gateway Arch Prodigy!”Hi Folks!!!Tonight yet another fantasti...
08/29/2026

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection…

“A Gateway Arch Prodigy!”

Hi Folks!!!

Tonight yet another fantastically rare machine, from The J&P Lowrey Collection… with brilliant conservation by the Magician! Before & after pics included!

There are 3 Wardwell’s known today, 2 complete treadle versions, and an orphan machine head! All 3 belong to the Lowrey’s!

We have also heard of one existing in a Midwest museum… which would make perfect sense as Simon Wardwell was from The Gateway Arch City… St. Louis!

In all about 2,000 of these two thread… (two spool, no shuttle or bobbin)… lock stitch machines!

Yes lock stitch! Advertised as the machine that has no shuttle & bobbin, no bobbin winding, and… the machine head rotates via a built in turntable who’s pitman arm also rotates 360 degrees!

An incredibly SEXY casting & such a clever design by young Simon Wardwell who received his 1st Patent for a sewing at 22 years old! Many patents followed…

… but business success came hard for Wardwell! His machines were exceptionally made with a HIGH level of craftsmanship! But at $65 a treadle, Wardwell was more expensive than the big boys… Singer, Howe, Wheeler & Wilson… and simply could not afford to sell his machine any cheaper.

Warwell was in business making this style of machine from about 1876-1886… though he received his patents earlier 1871-1873.

In 1886 the company officially closed and Wardwell moved to Rhode Island joining the Hautin SMCo., who made industrial machines & parts. The Wardwell SMCo. existed under Hautin… but also made industrial machines & parts…

One of the most interesting & highly engineered machine we have ever had here!

The Gateway Arch Prodigy continues to impress, just as his machines did at the 1876 Philadephia Exhibition… but now 150 years later!

Wow!🤯

Enjoy!

Wolf

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Tonight from… The Magician & The J&P Lowrey Collection… “Bristol’s Bishop Before & After!”Please SEE our Full Picture Po...
08/29/2026

Tonight from… The Magician & The J&P Lowrey Collection…

“Bristol’s Bishop Before & After!”

Please SEE our Full Picture Post on this fabulously RARE antique sewing machine!!!

Enjoy!!!

Wolf

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Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection!!!“ Bristol’s Bishop! “LOOK for a follow up before & after post!...
08/29/2026

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection!!!

“ Bristol’s Bishop! “

LOOK for a follow up before & after post! 😊

Hi Folks!!!

Well… I have to say it again… this could be the rarest machine you’ll see this year!

Born from the brilliant mind of inventor Hobert H. Bishop, of Bristol, Connecticut… this double thread chain stitch needle feed machine is the ONLY example known to remain today! 1 of 1… serial number 889!!!

Can’t imagine that Bishop made, or had more than 1,000 of these machines made, as he was only in business from 1859-1860!

Rare, obscure maker ALERT!!! Wow!!!🤯 🤯🤯

This machine retains the majority of its rich bronze-gold victorian scrollwork… amazing that she has survived! … and an AMAZING conservation by the Magician!!!

These machines were treadle operated only.

Often it’s been cautioned not to call this machine a Bishop, because of the Johnson’s Patent mark. (See Johnson’s patent in the pics)… but research confirms because of Bishop’s Patent (see pics)… that Bishop invented this machine, and used Johnson’s concept of the 1 needle & 1 hook mechanism to create the double thread chain stitch!

SEW NO doubt… it’s Bishop!

Bristol’s Bishop!

Enjoy!

Wolf

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08/28/2026

Working c1920 Stitchwell toy hand crank sewing machine!

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Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection!!!“ Tremont Street Snail! “Hi Folks!!!Wow!!! Wonderful conservat...
08/27/2026

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The J&P Lowrey Collection!!!

“ Tremont Street Snail! “

Hi Folks!!!

Wow!!! Wonderful conservation by the Magician! Before & after pics!!!

One of our nation’s earliest & most obscure makers of antique sewing machines was The Leavitt & Co… sewing machine company of Tremont St. in Boston!

Playfully nick-names The Snail machine by collectors… this machine is without question unique & in a world of it’s own when it comes to casting & shape! Whoa!

The Leavitt SMCo. started extremely early on as Nichols & Bliss… from about 1852 to 1853.

After 1853 it appears the “Bliss” that fueled the original partnership between Nichols & Bliss had ended… Bliss GONE, and the company becomes J.B.Nichols & Co. This name lasts only from 1854 to 1855, when yet another name change happens.

1855 the company becomes Nichols, Leavitt & Co… and would you believe folks, by 1856 the company changes their name yet again… now to Leavitt & Co! This variation of the company would last the longest… until 1865… when tonight’s Leavitt & Company was made!

The company in a frail attempt to survive made one more name change from 1866-1867… to The Leavitt SMCo. But soon thereafter the company was done!

In all, not counting some very early industrial models, Leavitt made about 7,200 machines…

Each machine… though SEW elaborate with their casting, sews a rather ordinary two thread lock stitch and are treadle operated.

Enjoy!

Wolf

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SOLD!!!Shipping Included!Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The Finger Lakes Collection…“She stitches well!”Hi Folks!!!One of...
08/26/2026

SOLD!!!

Shipping Included!

Tonight from Wolf’s Travels & The Finger Lakes Collection…

“She stitches well!”

Hi Folks!!!

One of the most iconic early American toy sewing machines is the Stitchwell by the National SMCo.!

These chain stitch machines are constructed of cast iron, and were made in the 19-teens up to the 1930’s.

What amazes me is how a toy like this… knocking on the 100 year old door… has survived in such delightful condition! Wow!!!
She stitches well! She will stitch even better with a minor cleaning!

See-the-reel… tomorrow!

Enjoy!

Wolf

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Treadle Lane
Wakefield, NH

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