Historical information

This book of Illustrated Directions was produced for use with the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed (VF) Sewing Machine. The first model of the High Arm was produced in 1881, and the ‘New’ model, Model 2 VF, was introduced from 1883 and continued at least until 1885, when the Model 3 VF was manufactured.

Job Davis, an inventor, showed his Davis Sewing Machine to two brothers in Watertown. The brothers, John and Joseph Shaldon, who founded the Davis Sewing Machine Company in February 1868 in Watertown, New York. The firm moved to Ohio in the 1890. Its early sewing machines were known as the Vertical Feed machines. These machines differed from others, in that there were two presser feet that moved and held the cloth as the needle went in and out of it. This type of action was also called ‘walking foot’ by makers of similar machines. Other machines used a feed dog below the machine’s bed to move the fabric. The Davis Company was awarded a Patents for its improvement to sewing machines.

London offices were set up at 54, Queen Victoria Street, London in 1982. It was known as the Vertical Feed Sewing Machine Company.

An article published in March 1885 states that the London Manager of the Vertical Feed Sewing Machine Company has 300,000 machines world-wide, including 4,000 in England alone. It claimed that the Auxiliary Forces Uniform and Equipment Company in Limerick, Ireland, was running its machines with steam power and could produce first-class work at the rate of 1,500 stitches per minute.

Significance

The hand stitched binding of the manual is an example of early book binding processes.
The is significant for its relationship to the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed sewing machine, which was invented in 1866 and became popular in the domestic market. It was also used in industrial conditions as a labour-saving machine, one of the many machines that were part of the Industrial Revolution when steam power replaced manual power in many factories.

Physical description

Paper book with stitched binding. Printed text and illustrations contained within the 42-page booklet. The manual includes drawn diagrams and instructions for use of the Davis New High Arm Vertical Feed Sewing Machine, a foot treadle machine made in the 1880s.

Inscriptions & markings

Front cover: "ILLUSTRATED DIRECTIIONS for the NEW HIGH ARM DAVIS Vertical Feed Sewing Machine and its Accessories and Attachments"