Singer Manufacturing Company records (original) (raw)

| | Singer Manufacturing Company recordsAccession 2526 Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and LibraryPO Box 3630Wilmington, Delaware, 19807302-658-2400research@hagley.orgFinding aid prepared by Marsha C. Mills, 2012, 1860-1878 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-02-05T15:06-0500 Finding aid prepared using best local practices and Describing Archives: A Content Standard **Cite items for this collection in the following format:**[Description and dates], Box/folder number, Singer Manufacturing Company records (Accession 2526), Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807 Descriptive Summary Title: Singer Manufacturing Company records Dates: 1860-1878 Accession Number: 2526 Creator: Singer Manufacturing Company Extent: 0.5 linear feet Repository: Hagley Museum and Library: Manuscripts and Archives Department Abstract: This collection helps to document the history of Singer Manufacturing Company during the period 1860 through 1880. After success in forming one of the first U.S. patent pools the Singer Company was ready to capitalize and built several new factories. Since the demand for family sewing machines had increased substantially, Singer made it economically possible to buy the new and improved machines by offering installment payment plans. This collection helps to document the history of Singer Manufacturing Company during the period 1860 through 1880. After success in forming one of the first U.S. patent pools the Singer Company was ready to capitalize and built several new factories. Since the demand for family sewing machines had increased substantially, Singer made it economically possible to buy the new and improved machines by offering installment payment plans. The materials in this collection do not cover the patent pool. However, the 650 documents show the growth of the Singer Manufacturing Company and its numerous sales agents. The handwritten requests for employment, offers of ideas for sewing machine attachments, orders for machines and sewing supplies, as well as complaints are included in this archive. The New York Needle Company, Matteawan Hat Works, and many Singer agents’ orders can also be found. An interesting 1865 letter from Havana requesting items gives tips for shipping silk back to Havana without drawing the attention of C.H. (customs house) inspectors. This archive has been divided into four series. Series I. Correspondence (1865-1878) contains incoming and outgoing correspondence that covers orders, complaints, requests for employment; legal communications from various attorneys, adjusters and insurance brokers, including a County Treasurer's office. There is also a letter from Singer Manufacturing Company’s Silk Factory and Case Factory. Series II. Agents/Dealers (1870-1872) is arranged alphabetically by agent name and are mainly orders. Series III. Advertisements/Notices (1870) include information of a Sheriff Sale of McLean sewing machines and attachments. Series IV. Singer Offices (1870-1876) which have been arranged alphabetically by state, are largely orders. Series Descriptions and Inventory I. Correspondence, 1860-1880 Box Folder 1 1 Incoming, 1860-1866 Box Folder 1 2 Incoming, 1867-1878 Box Folder 1 3 Incoming, New York Needle Co., 1877-1878 Box Folder 1 4 Legal, 1865-1866 Box Folder 1 5 Outgoing, 1865-1869 Box Folder 1 6 Singer Manufacturing Company's Silk & Case factories, 1871, 1873 II. Agents/Dealers, 1870-1872 Box Folder 2 1 A - O, 1870-1872 Box Folder 2 2 Russel Crego & Son, 1870-1872 Box Folder 2 3 Shaffer, Umpleby & Weeling; W.J. Bradley & Co., 1870-1871 III. Advertisements/Notices, undated, 1870 Box Folder 2 4 Advertisements/Notices, 1870, undated IV. Singer Offices, 1870-1876 Box Folder 2 5 Illinois, 1872 Box Folder 2 6 Indiana, 1871-1875 Box Folder 2 7 Maryland, 1871 Box Folder 2 8 Massachusetts, 1871 Box Folder 2 9 Missouri, 1870, 1872 Box Folder 2 10 New Jersey, 1876 Box Folder 2 11 New York, 1870-1876 Box Folder 2 12 Ohio, 1871 Box Folder 2 13 Pennsylvania, 1870-1876 Box Folder 2 14 Wisconsin, 1876 | | 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