When did Sears Roebuck start selling their own sewing machines?
Since the 1890s there had been a fad with large retailers and mail order houses to sell “own brand” sewing machines. To do this they entered into contracts with established sewing machine manufacturers who would supply standard models but with the name of choice substituted for the normal brand name.
When did sears stop selling Kenmore sewing machines?
The company did not sell sewing machines after that until 1948. That year Sears offered two models of the Kenmore Rotary, 117-1191 and 117-141, along with one model of the Kenmore Supreme Rotary, 117-592; two models of the Kenmore 95 Rotary, 117-95 and 117-959; and one of the Kenmore Long Shuttle, 117-62.
What was the first model of Sears rotary sewing machine?
In 1950, Sears again offered only one model of the Kenmore Rotary, model 117-169. The company gradually began selling more machines as the decade wore on. It offered 17 models of the Kenmore and Kenmore Rotary through 1959. In 1956, Sears began selling its first zig-zag machine, the Kenmore Zig-Zag Automatic, model 117-740.
How much did a treadle sewing machine cost at Sears?
Sears was able to sell high quality treadle sewing machines for between fifteen to twenty dollars far less than the forty to sixty dollars that retail dealers charged for equivalent models. A copy of the Singer Model 12 New Family was only nine dollars.
When was the first Sears and Roebuck sewing machine made?
It was a better model than their ACME badged machines made by the National Sewing Machine Company so Sears & Roebuck switch suppliers in 1900. From 1900 to 1912, the Davis company supplied Sears & Roebuck with just about every sewing machine. It was during this period that the Minnesota model was introduced and sold by Sears & Roebuck.
The company did not sell sewing machines after that until 1948. That year Sears offered two models of the Kenmore Rotary, 117-1191 and 117-141, along with one model of the Kenmore Supreme Rotary, 117-592; two models of the Kenmore 95 Rotary, 117-95 and 117-959; and one of the Kenmore Long Shuttle, 117-62.
Who was the manufacturer of the Sears Minnesota sewing machine?
It is hard to say which company, Davis or Domestic, produced the majority of Minnesota sewing machine models for Sears as both companies have long been out of business and records have been lost. The Minnesota K is supposed to be Davis’ last model for Sears and the Minnesota L was supposed to have been made by Domestic.
Sears was able to sell high quality treadle sewing machines for between fifteen to twenty dollars far less than the forty to sixty dollars that retail dealers charged for equivalent models. A copy of the Singer Model 12 New Family was only nine dollars.
