Featured Moldacot Patent Pocket Sewing Machine (1886)

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Shangas, Jul 29, 2018.

  1. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    Now this is something totally weird.

    Molda01.jpg Molda02.jpg Molda03.jpg Molda05.jpg Molda04.jpg Molda06.jpg

    Manufactured from 1886-1888, the Moldacot Patent Pocket Sewing Machine was one of the biggest commercial flops in history. When it came out it took the sewing machine industry by storm - a full lockstitch sewing machine in a pocket! It had adjustable stitch-length, thread-tensioning, a bobbin-winder, a hand-crank attachment on the side, a bobbin, a shuttle...EVERYTHING that a full-sized machine had.

    Unfortunately, for all it solid engineering and marketing hype, the machine was never properly quality-tested. As a result, it never actually...you know...WORKED!! Because of this, within a couple of years it had become a complete flop. Today it's useful only as a historical curiosity. But what a curiosity! Most people have never seen one, and that's precisely why I bought this!
     
    all_fakes, Jivvy, Figtree3 and 11 others like this.
  2. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    It doesn’t look like something you come across very often. It’s certainly got the interesting factor. I’m sure you will enjoy this.
     
    Christmasjoy and judy like this.
  3. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    According to the research I've done, and the experts I've spoken to, it's not a rare-rare machine, but it is certainly rather notorious!
     
  4. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    Certainly a conversation piece, thank you for showing and educating! :)
     
    Christmasjoy and judy like this.
  5. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    I had one of these a couple of years ago. It sold for about £50 at auction, which was a bit of a disappointment, I thought. It did not have the box, which would have boosted it a bit.
     
  6. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    That sounds pretty low, but yes, I suspect the lack of a box would've had something to do with it. From what I've seen, they tend to fetch about 150-ish pounds at auction or thereabouts.
     
  7. CheersDears

    CheersDears Well-Known Member

    It's glorious. Another great 'show and tell', Shangas!
     
  8. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    What a fun piece!
     
    Christmasjoy and i need help like this.
  9. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    LOOK!! :p The bobbin and shuttle for my Moldacot!

    Ain't they just the tiniest things ever!? :eek:

    molda08.jpg
     
  10. Tanya

    Tanya Well-Known Member

    This is so neat! I’m so glad you shared it here along with the info :) Thanks!
     
    i need help likes this.
  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Well, I can certainly say I had never seen or heard of one before tonight!!!!! Too bad it was a flop, 'cuz it sure beats any other small portable!!!!:D:D Thanks Shangas!!
     
  12. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    They're not exactly common machines. But they are cute :)
     
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