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Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Co: (New York) The partnership of James Willcox and his son, Charles, of Philadelphia and James E.A. Gibbs, formed in 1857 to make the first practical single-thread chain-stitch machine for domestic use, as patented by Gibbs in 1856 and 1857. The actual manufacturing was undertaken by J.R. Sharp & Brown, who continued to make the components until 1948, when Willcox & Gibbs undertook all aspects of production. Their first office was opened in 1859 at 658 Broadway, New York.

In 1867, London offices were opened at 135 Regent St; the English company of Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Co. Ltd. was founded in 1908. Prices in England in 1867 ranged from 8 pounds to 15 pounds. All machine heads were built in the USA, but handwheels and wheel mountings were made in England by such founders as the Coalbrookdale Co. in Shropshire; the Coalbrookdale brackets carry a registration mark for 1869. After the Second World War, manufacture of industrial machines was begun in England.

In 1875 the "Silent Automatic" was introduced, with an automatic device adapting itself to various thickness of fabric. Between 1878 and 1884, the company marketed the "Straw" machine, the "Bag" machine, and the "Handstitch" machines, all for industrial use. In 1889 a two-thread "Overlock" machine was introduced, capable of 3000 stitches a minute. In 1889, the first "Willcox and Gibbs" lock-stitch machine was marketed. In 1912, the "Flatlock" for seaming knitted underwear was introduced, followed in the 20's by the "Feldlock" for seaming tubular articles.

  

Willcox & Gibbs Manufacturing Dates

 

1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 - 1904 1905 - 1906 1907 - 1908 1909 - 1911 1912 - 1913 1913 - 1914 1915 - 1916 1917 - 1921

1- 10,000 10,000 - 20,000 20,000 - 30,000 30,000 - 40,000 40,001 - 50,000 50,001 - 60,000 60,001 - 70,000 70,001 - 80,000 80,001 - 90,000 90,001 - 100,000 100,001 - 115,000 115,001 - 130,000 130,001 - 145,000 145,001 - 160,000 160,001 - 190,127 190,128 - 223,766 223,767 - 239,647 239,648 - 253,357 253,358 - 267,879 279,638 - 540,000 540,001 - 550,000 550,001 - 560,000 560,001 - 570,000 570,001 - 580,000 580,001 - 590,000 590,001 - 650,000 650,001 - 660,000

Another source for dates of Willcox & Gibbs machines can be found at www.needlebar.com

Home
Invention of the Sewing Machine ~ Canadian Sewing Machine Manufacturers
Sewing Machine Values ~ Singer Dates ~ Willcox & Gibbs Dates ~ Needle Threading
Shuttle Identification ~ Common Problems ~ Why Make Quilts? ~ Sewing With Children
Packing a Sewing Machine ~ Paint a Featherweight ~ Favorites and Links

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