TUE FAIRY SEWING-MACHINE. A HOLIDAY GIFT FOR THE WORK-TABLE 







Figure 51. — One of the early commercial manufacturers of the Palmer patent was Madame Demorest, 

 a New York dressmaker. She advertised her Fairy sewing machine in Godey's Lady's Bunk, vol. 66, 1863, 

 and stated: "In the first place it will attract attention from its diminutive, fairy-like size, and with the 

 same ease with which it can be carried, an important matter to a seamstress or dressmaker employed from 

 house to house .... What no other sewing machine attempts to do, it runs, and does not stitch, it sews 

 the more delicate materials an ordinary sewing machine cuts or draws . . . ." (Smithsonian photo 43690.) 



> , r di \ r 



Figure 52. — The Fairy sewing machine sold for 

 five dollars and was adequate for its advertised 

 purpose, sewing or running very lightweight fabi u :s. 

 The machine was marked with the Palmer patent, 

 the date May 13, 1862, and the name "Mme. 

 Demorest." 



A machine identical to the Fairy, but bearing 

 both Palmer patent dates. May 13, 1862, and 

 June 19, 1863, and the name "Gold Medal,' was 

 manufactured by a less-scrupulous company. This 

 machine was advertised as follows: ''A first class 

 sewing machine, handsomely ornamented, with all 

 working parts silver plated. Put up in a highly 

 polished mahogany case, packed ready for ship- 

 ment. Price $10. 00. This machine uses a common 

 sewing needle, is very simple. A child can operate 

 it. Cash with order." Some buyers felt they were 

 swindled, as they had expected a heavy-duty ma- 

 chine, but no recourse could be taken against the 

 advertiser. Another similar machine was also 

 manufactured under the name "Little Gem." 

 (Smithsonian photo 45525.) 



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