Object 2023-16 includes parts A-J. "A" is the sewing machine, and B-J are various sewing machine parts inside the sewing machine. The Wheeler & Wilson company began in 1851 as a joint venture between Nathaniel Wheeler and Allen Wilson which quickly became competitive with the Singer Corporation. Wheeler & Wilson made almost 2 million machines in their time in business. After the death of both founders in the 1880s-90s, Singer Corporation purchased their machines in 1905. They were phased out about a decade after that.
Edra Bogle graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1956. She retired as an Associate Professor of English at the University of North Texas.
16A) An 1854 or 1855 Wheeler Wilson sewing machine. The oak lid opens up toward the back to reveal the sewing machine, two compartments, and 2 drawers. A small inner corner piece of the lid on the left side is broken off and is just loose in a compartment on the left. Several holes and gouges on the inside. The table part is about 6 cm wider than where the lid reaches when it closes (It has a 6 cm border around the outside when the lid is closed). Inside are two compartments on the left side which go the depth of the table and are 14 cm wide. To the right of the compartments is the sewing machine built into the table. The machine is composed of cast iron, zinc table and nobs, leather pulley, wool felt pads, and a steel spring. The black has gold floral and curlicue designs hand-painted on it. The silver plate has the following text engraved, each part on its own line: "WHEELER & WILSON M'F'G. CO," "BRIDGEPORT. CONN," "A.B. WILSON'S PATENTS," "NOV. 12TH. 1850. AUG. 12TH. 1851," "JUNE 15TH. 1852. DEC. 19TH. 1854," "NO. 530430." On the black part of the sewing machine is the company logo in a brass insert with the text "WHEELER & WILSON MFG CO NEW YORK." Two small drawers in the top left and right corners of the inside of the lid. The stand with the foot pedal and wheels are all cast iron. Leather pulley and foot pedal straps are not present. Needle is still intact. All mechanisms appear to be functional.
