Figure 124. — Taggart & Farr sewing 

 machine, front view. (Smithsonian 

 photo 48216-P.) 



Figures 124 and 125. — Taggart & Farr sewing ma- 

 chine, 1860. The Taggart & Farr is an almost forgotten 

 machine. It was based on Chester Fair's patent of August 9, 

 1859. The machine, however, was in commercial production 

 as early as 1858, the year the patent application was made. 

 Using two threads — both taken directly from the spool — to 

 form a chainstitch, the machine was operated basically by- 

 treadle but also by hand. The drive wheel is missing on this 

 machine, but it would normally appear on the right. 



The name and patent date were painted on the end of the 

 machine. This was true of many other machines of this 

 period, which is why so many go unidentified once the paint 

 has become worn. Several thousand Taggart & Farr 

 machines were manufactured, but the company is believed 

 to have had a short life, for it was among those that had 

 disappeared by 1881. 



w 



Figure 125. — Taggart & Farr sewing machine, end view. 

 (Smithsonian photo 48216-M.) 



115 



