The Sewing Place

Kimball and Morton sewing machine

Greybird

Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« on: March 17, 2019, 21:03:17 PM »
Anyone else just watched Antiques Roadshow? They have just valued a Kimball & Morton sewing machine at £10-15,000. I've just googled it and there are images, but I've never see one like it. Have a look and see what you think!

WildAtlanticWay

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2019, 21:07:39 PM »
OMG!  :vintage:  :o

Lilian

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2019, 21:12:29 PM »
Yes it was incredible, what a chunk of metal, but beautiful! :vintage:
Willing but not always able :)

Ohsewsimple

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2019, 21:57:32 PM »
Yes I saw it.  Thought it was hideous myself but wow!

Greybird

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2019, 22:42:46 PM »
Found an example in a Bonhams auction in 2011. The catalogue page gives quite a lot of information about it:

www.bonhams.com/auctions/19034/lot/68/?category=list

crafter

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2019, 23:00:55 PM »
I saw it.  Yes, hideous.

Lyn-J

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2019, 23:21:57 PM »
Saw it. Just, why....

sewingj

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2019, 08:18:28 AM »
I couldn`t see where the cotton reel would sit - any ideas? 

b15erk

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2019, 09:58:48 AM »
Amazing.  I think on the whole, I would prefer to look at a regular treadle sewing machine than a cast iron lion!

Wonder if anyone has ever used it?

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Lowena

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2019, 10:03:43 AM »
I thought it was wonderful!!
Triumph of hope over experience :D

Greybird

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2019, 10:06:37 AM »
I can only think that it was intended for those who wanted to leave their machine out all the time so it was made to look like an ornament! I see that there were several different lions made and some work in this respect better than others. No wonder they are so rare.

Fiona M

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2019, 10:36:27 AM »
I saw it.  Never seen anything like it!  I was pleased it was complete and had such value though.

Sewingsue

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2019, 10:39:22 AM »
I can only think that it was intended for those who wanted to leave their machine out all the time so it was made to look like an ornament! I see that there were several different lions made and some work in this respect better than others. No wonder they are so rare.
I noticed the auction house chose to photograph it from the back and chose that as their main photo. Definitely being sold as an ornamental piece and probably originally marketed that way too.
Bernina Aurora 440QE, Brother BC-2500, Singer 99K (1938), Juki MO-654DE overlocker, Silver Viscount 620D overlocker.

Greybird

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2019, 10:47:34 AM »
I noticed that too @Sewingsue - but I concluded that the auction house probably didn't know the front of a sewing machine from the back. On occasion OH will lift my sewing machine onto the table for me - nearly every time I will have to turn it round to use it!

maliw

Re: Kimball and Morton sewing machine
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2019, 13:35:21 PM »
I saw that too, amazed at the value but obviously the rarity.
At leisure on the leisure penninsula