Figure 109. — Lester sewing machine of about 1858. The 

 Lester machine was first manufactured by J. H. Lester in 

 Brooklyn, New York. His machine was based on the patents 

 of William Johnson, John Bradshaw and others but not on 

 the patents held by the "Combination," although he had 

 secured a license. When the Old Dominion Company 

 applied for a license from the "Combination," Lester learned 

 of this, went to Richmond and arranged to combine his 

 business with theirs. Since the Lester machine was the better 

 one, it was agreed to cease the manufacture of the Old 

 Dominion machines early in 1860 and in March the com- 

 pany name was changed to the Lester Mfg. Co. Late in 



1860, George Sloat entered the company with his Elliptic 

 machine; the name was changed again, this time to Union 

 Sewing Machine Co. The manufacture of both sewing 

 machines continued until the outbreak of the Civil War the 

 following year, which brought a conversion to arms pro- 

 duction. The manufacture of Lester machines was never 

 resumed. 



The machine illustrated was manufactured by J. H. Lester 

 in Brooklyn; it bears the serial number 96. The number of 

 Lester machines manufactured from 1858 through 1861 is 

 not known, but it was probably less than 1.000. (Smith- 

 sonian photo P63359.) 



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